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A unique revolver

Steeldog65

Steeldog65

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Smith & Wesson 1917 revolver. It was originally a .455 that was down-necked for service in WWI. Fires .45 semi-auto with half moon clips. It was originally sent to the Illinois State Armory with a US Marshal holster which I have. There's no record of it after that 1918 arrival in Illinois. I've had it checked by a reputable Gunsmith. It's in perfect working condition with only a slight wear in the bluing at the site where it was stored for 80 years. I don't have much more information on it but I am building a display case to hang it on the wall in my office. I think all this information is correct, I'm basing it off of some basic research and the letter I sent to Smith & Wesson about 4 years ago trying to track its history. Picture won't attach!?
 
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The S&W Model 1917 was a stop gap during WW I. There just weren't enough 1911 pistols to go around yet.
They were chambered for the .45acp cartridge and used moon clips as the rimless round had nothing for the ejector to grab on to.
S&W also made these in .455 for the British. After the war, many British guns were reamed out to .45acp and sold commercially in the U.S.
Check the markings on yours. If it did start out as a British gun it will be marked .455 and have a bunch of English proof markings on it.
The U.S. war time guns were marked Property of United States, along with U.S. proof marks and inspector stamps. But also be aware that S&W also made commercial versions of this gun up until the late 1950s.
Pictures would be most helpful here.

Colt also produced U.S. Model 1917s on their large DA revolver frame.
 
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