In House Shipping:
Exceptional US Army Post-WW1 “PLAN 1919” Colt New Service M-1917 .45 ACP 5.5” Revolver 1918 C&R
Reserve: $1,000
LSB#: 241205RH001
Make: Colt
Model: US Army New Service Model 1917
Serial Number: Factory Serial Number: 300069, Army Serial Number: 149021
Year of Manufacture: Scholarly research on Coltforum has revealed this revolver was made in late December 1918
Caliber: .45 ACP
Action Type: Double Action / Single Action Revolver with 6-Shot Swing Out Cylinder
Markings: There is the traditional Colt two-line address and patent dates marking on the top of the barrel.The crane cut is marked “H / 300069 / Z”, with that number found again in the crane. The sideplate has a Rampant Colt. There is an “eagle / S20” inspector’s mark above the sideplate on the left of the frame. The underside of the barrel is marked “”UNITED STATES PROPERTY””. The butt is marked "U.S. / ARMY / MODEL / 1917 / No / 149 / 021". The inside of each grip panel has "300069" hand-written in pencil. The left of the barrel is marked "COLT D.A. 45".
Barrel Length: 5 1/2”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a tall Patridge style blade. The rear sight is a “U”-notch integral to the topstrap.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece smooth walnut. They are both marked in pencil on the interior panels with a serial number matching that of the revolver. The grips have some nicks, scuffs, and scratches. There are no chips or cracks. The butt of the grip frame has the commonly found lanyard swivel. Overall, the grips are in Very Good Condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore, but there is some light scattered pitting. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates a 9 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 98% of its metal finish. There is a light scratch on the left side of the barrel. There is a light nick in the bottom right edge of the frame above the trigger. There is a thin turn line not through the finish on the cylinder. The action shows minor operational wear. The screw heads are sharp with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this revolver is in Excellent Condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The lockup is tight on all 6 chambers. The double action trigger pull is smooth, the single action is crisp. We did not fire this handgun. As with all previously owned firearms, thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None
Our Assessment: The US Army sought to break the stalemate on the Western Front in WW1 with a massive proposed final offensive known as "Plan 1919". It would consist of medium tanks, heavy tanks, and infantry piercing the German lines, attacking and destroying command and control centers, and reducing strongpoints, to be followed by light tanks, truck mounted infantry, and huge cavalry formations pouring through the gaps created by the initial assault. The Battle of the Argonne Forest and the subsequent Armistice in November 1918 ended the war before Plan 1919 could be put into effect, but many of the contracts for arms and equipment let by the US government in preparation for Plan 1919 continued to be honored, as the Treaty of Versailles was not signed until June 1919, and the US needed to ensure they had sufficient weaponry to resume hostilities if the Germans continued to stall. This explains the large amount of M-1913 Patton sabers, Pedersen device equipment, and Colt 1917 revolvers made after the Armistice in late 1918 and well into 1919.
This US Army Post-WW1 “PLAN 1919” Colt M-1917 .45 ACP Revolver was made in late December 1918 and is in Excellent Condition. It features a 5.5” barrel, 98% of its incredible crisp, original blued finish, elegant, serial-matching two-piece smooth walnut grips, service sights, proper martial markings, strong mechanics, and a bright bore with sharp rifling and no erosion (only some light scattered pitting). Lastly, this revolver comes directly from the personal collection of award-winning gunwriter and book author Rick Hacker, and a signed letter of authenticity from Mr. Hacker will accompany this piece. This is a stunningly high condition US Army Colt M-1917 Revolver, and would be a phenomenal addition to any Great War or martial arms collection.