US Army 1917 45 DA chambered in 45 LC?

P

PointMan33

Inactive
I have recently aquired a US Army 1917 Colt which I thought was chambered in 45 Auto, but it turned out it was chambered in 45LC. It has both the Colt serial number, the Army number on the butt, and an extra three digit number under the Colt serial number. The first thing I thought was that someone did this job themselves, but the alternate three digit serial number on the frame matches the serial number under the extrator on the cylinder. So, my question is was this done at an arsenal or does anyone have an idea of the history behind this rechambered colt.

A little more info about the gun:
The frame plate has been altered so that the 45LC cylinder would work and the barrel is marked "United States Property".
There is an "H" above the 6 digit colt serial number and there appears to be a mark consisting of two letters on the cylender.

You gotta love old military guns.
 
Quite a few 1917s were rechambered to .45 Colt so it's not unusual. All parts would be original as only the cylinder would have the chambers reamed. What I'm confused about is the frame plate (could you mean side plate) being altered so the .45 Colt cylinder would work? The side plate wouldn't be altered as the original cylinder would be used. Even if you fitted another cylinder it would be the same size and configuration.
 
The 1909 Colt New Service was chambered in .45 Colt. If I remember right, the Army used ammunition that varied from regular .45 Colt in rim dimensions. This must not be a 1909 though.
 
You wouldn't happen to have a digi-camera around to attach a picture, would you, PointMan? Please, please? I like the old ones.
 
If it is marked "Model 1917" it was originally in .45 ACP and was intended to be fired using half-moon clips. Most Colts and all S&W Model 1917's will accept and fire .45 ACP without clips, but the cases have to be picked out of the chambers.

If it is in .45 Colt, the cylinder had to have been replaced or the gun is dangerous, as the back part of the case is unsupported in the original cylinder.

Maybe have a gunsmith or a more knowledgeable person examine it?

Jim
 
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