Pair of M1917's

[Greasemonkey]

I see loads of 1911s, both commercial and old military, but I saw these listed in a little local auction the other weekend, I decided to end the year on a good note. It's fairly rare to see them, much less a set of both makes, Colt and S&W. I have seen quite a few of the later built Brazilian marked M1917s popping up. Both are pretty much in original form unlike some that have been modified or have modified cylinders or "worked on" after they were surplused. The only thing I have found is the plastic S&W grips, they may not be original. The cylinder lockup is pretty tight on both, and I don't think it would be unsafe to shoot.

The serials date both to 1918, and one thing I never realized, unlike most other US weapons, there is almost nothing interchangeable between these two. And like modern Colts and S&W they are backwards from each other, cylinder rotation, the cylinder releases, Colt you pull, S&W you push, the rifling and even the stampings on the butt are reversed. The Colt is late enough in serial to have the cylinder modified so the cases could be loaded singly like the S&W, both can use moon clips..

[Greasemonkey]

Few more shots of markings..

[locomotiveguy]

Very interesting to compare the two thanks. Nice way to make an acquisition.

[Longcolt44]

I don't think I have ever said this to a guy but....nice pair.

[Junk Yard Dog]

[ffuries]

I honestly didn't know there was a difference between them, never having seen them side by side, Interesting to say the least.

I echo Longcolt44's statement "Nice pair"! Now I hope that is the last time I catch myself saying that to a guy.

[Greasemonkey]

I don't think I have ever said this to a guy but....nice pair.

Well...don't think I have had a guy tell me that..

I'm just glad it wasn't one of those auctions that went stupid in prices.. The Colt was a little more, which they carry the premium typically, in my case, it was a shade less than 200 bucks more than the S&W.

I would imagine this was a mess, considering every other weapon system had at least some commonality between manufactures. But they must have worked well, they were used from the end of WWI to Vietnam as I understand. Usually they were used by rear line troops and such, I've seen it said, tunnel rats in Vietnam were known to use them as well.

3 more showing the differences.