Q: Colt US ARMY MODEL 1917

My main request is to be pointed in the correct direction to purchase some full moon clips. (Or half if that's what's available)

Second I was wondering about some history on this particular model.

On the bottom of the grip frame it is marked 'U.S. ARMY MODEL 1917' and 'No 111 6XX' (Two XX replace numbers as I don't know if this is the serial #)

Or is the serial # 2625XX from the crane and behind the crane (my first guess).

Any info on year etc. appreciated. I bought it on a whim. Thanks.

Try...
WWW.GUNMAGS.com

The name of the business is Forrest Company, Ph# is 1-888-372-5968, you can

Found the ad in the Shotgun News.

They have the .45 full moons for the best price I've found, 10 for $3.95, 25 for $7.95, and 100 for $19.95. I bought 100 and was very happy with them. I use them in my 625 for PPC competition and they all seem very true, decent quality. Marc.

> ... 'No > ...

You can find the full moon clips at www.egunparts.com which is Numrich's online site. I was able to get both full and half moon clips for my S&W Model 1917.

As to history, I can't give specifics but from what I understand, the US Army didn't have enough Model 1911 .45 Autos for WWI. And it was easier to have Colt and then S&W take existing revolvers and chamber them for .45 ACP. If you saw the 'The Lost Battalion' with Rick Schroeder, he was armed with a .45 revolver.

Hope this helps.

-John

On Wed, 4 Dec 2002 01:23:23 +0000 (UTC), 'Paul Hug'

> ...

Serial number is the one by the crane on the Colts. Full moon clips are available from Gunparts. An excellent source of information on the Colt and S&W 1917s is 'US Handguns of World War II,' by Charles Pate. Information about inspection marks and other data is supplied therein.

> ...

I can recommend Ranch products (313-277-3118) highly. I bought 100 parked full moon clips, at a cost of $19, fast service, very accomodating. Good product. I would have no hesitation in buying from them again. (Not that I am likely to need more moon clips, but still.) They do mostly sheet metal stuff as far as I can tell, Oh, they had moon clips in stainless also, but at $75/100, more than I wanted to spend.

# # I can recommend Ranch products (313-277-3118) highly...they had moon # clips in stainless also, but at $75/100, more than I wanted to spend.

Midway sells Ranch Products stainless full moon clips for $12.35 for 8

John Cowart

# # My main request is to be pointed in the correct direction to purchase some # full moon clips.

You should also consider the extractor tool as essential when using full moon clips. The clips are made of rather thin steel, and it is very easy to bend them when removing the empty cases if you don't use the extractor tool.

Midway has the extractor tool for $6.29

John Cowart