Clueless Newbie with question about 1917 Colt US Army

[Itzomi]

Hello,

I inherited some guns and one of them is a 1917 model US Army Colt in very good condition. I know nothing about guns... Could somebody kindly give me a ballpark figure of what it may be worth?? Is it from 1917, or is that only the model #? Looks quite old by the style.

I may be selling this to a coworker's boyfriend and have no clue what to ask for it!!!

Thank you so much in advance for your reply!

[Scott in SC]

$350 and up depending on condition. Post a pic if you can to help us better guage the value.

[Itzomi]

Thank you so much, Scott!

Okay, here are some pictures:

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y5/itzomi/Misc/June2009190.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y5/itzomi/Misc/June2009188.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y5/itzomi/Misc/June2009189.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y5/itzomi/Misc/June2009186.jpg

[HerrMesser]

I can't help with price but I can welcome you to the forum. We do have some very knowledgeable people on here.

Rad

[rugerwheels]

Appears to be a Colt New Service Double Action Revolver, Model 1917 Army. I believe the serial number will be on the backstrap and should be between 150000 and 301000 (let us know and we can advise year of manufacture). The number on the butt is the Army inventory number. You can get some idea of values with a Google search. Here is a thread on another Forum with some discussion about values.

[Itzomi]

Erm, I'm sorry, what's a backstrap?? :(

I found somewhere where it says S20 or 520 with something tiny stamped above it??

[Scott in SC]

That one is odd. The barrel looks longer than a military 1917. The serial number may be on the crane. Open the cylinder and lookwhere it swings out. Is it marker "United States Property" anywhere?

[Scott in SC]

Found this info as well that may help you a bit.

The first 50,000 or so Colt's had chambers bored straight through, so the gun can't be fired without the half-moon clips.
Later guns had standard "stepped" chambers so you could fire .45 ACP but the gun would not eject the empties.
After the war, cartridge companies make ".45 Auto Rim" ammunition that was basically a .45 ACP with an added rim to allow shooting without the clips, but still able to eject.

The original finish was a rather dull blue finish, with guns referbed for WWII being parkerized.

The Colt Model 1917 has TWO serial numbers.
On the butt is the US government serial number. This is the number the government used including when the guns were sold as surplus.
However, Colt decided the Model 1917 was just their New Service, so they also stamped New Service range serial numbers on the frame under the barrel where the cylinder crane seats, on the crane itself, and inside the side plate.
There is some dispute among collectors just WHICH serial number is the "real" number.

During the 1930's large quantities of 1917 Colt's were given to the US Post Office, and these guns were sold by the USPS in the 1960's.
A good many more were sold to NRA members through the Director of Civilian Marksmanship (DCM) which was the forerunner of the current CMP.
Depending on the actual condition, $250.. is a real steal.

[Itzomi]

Thank you so much, Scott!!!

Okay, I did find the serial number when I opened up the barrel!! It says 220008. What year might that be??

Thank you again, you are enormously helpful!!!!

[rugerwheels]

220008 would be 1919 manufacture.

[Itzomi]

220008 would be 1919 manufacture.

Awesome!!! Do you agree that $250 is an appropriate asking price? I am in San Francisco - where the prices on everything are inflated - and was hoping to get a little (or a lot - LOL) more than that. Thanks!!

[rugerwheels]

I agree with Scott - $350 or more. Based on the photos I would hazard a guess at a value of $450 to $500. You might consider an auction at gunbroker.com or auctionarms.com.

[Itzomi]

Thank you for the suggestions!! I will look those sites up!!

Thank you again for your help!!!

[A square 10]

i hope you didnt sell that for $250 , its worth a whole lot [3x] more - consider this :

its in extreemly nice condition based on the photos , that is not an easy thing to find in a 90 year old firearm that did some kind of service , albeit stateside protecting the mail ,

its a colt - that alone gives it a better value , i own an S&W 1917 [those are the two mfgrs] and inspite of some finer finish they dont quite get the prestige that a "COLT" does ,

its in demand by collectors - the two US militarty revolvers made after the turn of the century in 45 cal are the M1909 in 45LC and the M1917 in 45 acp , these were a transition from the 38LC that was so ineffective in the philipenes , and the M1917 was a good example of just why commercial contractors were required , to fill the shortages of government armory production shortfalls ,

and last but not least - in eather chamber , the open one requireing the moon clips or the later shouldered version , they shot the 45 .........the true american cartrige ,

they sell for $500-900 depending on condition

[cab32]

As stated above this is a Colt M 1917. It should be chambered for 45 ACP.unless that was changed with the rework. From the rear cylinder gap in the picture, it looks like it is still 45 ACP However it has little collectors value because it has been rebarreled. The military configuration is a 5 1/2 inch barrel with the rounded front and cresent rear of the front sight that is characteristic of most New Service revolver. The original barrel was stamped United States Property on the underside. This one looks like a 7 1/2 inch barrrel with a ramp front sight it is marked New Service & 1917 and is an after market barrel, likely made by Cristie"s Gun Works in the '50's, The grips look like the original military grips. Having said that it has little collectors value, it does have significant value as a shooter and if it is in good mechanical condition, may be worth up to $4-500 depending on the region of the country. Nice revolver. If you like to shoot it will be great fun.
CAB

[A square 10]

Excelent points CAB , id overlooked the barrel , and i will add that someone wrenched on the lanyard ring as well , these should look like this -

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r188/Asquare10/mikesrifles015.jpg


note the straight barrel - not tapered and the length