Score: S&W US Model of 1917 .45 ACP Revolver,

[oldfoneguy]

That decal on the grip is SO COOL. I want one!

Exactly which is why if you haven't already those grips must be replaced and the originals preserved. Don't even handle them any further if you can avoid it. 1917 grips are readily available so dont delay or you will destroy a piece of history.

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[browningautorifle]

the originals preserved

I don't think I've ever seen a set with that decal.

[imarangemaster]

I agree! That is a great idea. I think I have another 1917 left grip panel with a yellow rack number in my parts drawer. I dig it out.

---------- Post added at 10:10 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:04 AM ----------

I don't think I've ever seen a set with that decal.

That's what fascinates me about this revolver. We know they were re-issued, mostly stateside, during WW2. We know they were issued to Military Police and unspecified "Security Forces". IIRC, there were something like 130,000 Civil Defense Auxiliary Police during WW II, and they had to be issued some kind of handgun. It is a logical assumption that this may have been issued to Auxiliary Police, since they were essentially Security Forces to help the Police protect ports, airports, defense plants, and critical infrastructure during wartime.