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M1917 Revolver issued by US Army during WWI to Charles H. Houston

African American Museum

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    Object Details

    Created by

    Colt's Manufacturing Company, American, founded 1855

    Owned by

    Charles Hamilton Houston, American, 1895 - 1951

    Issued by

    United States Armed Forces, American, founded 1775

    Description

    Colt Model 1917 Revolver .45 ACP (Automatic Colt Pistol) No 22-883 issued by the United States Army to Charles Hamilton Houston during World War I. The gun is comprised of metal with wood applied to the handle. The revolver has a six-round cylinder that is semi-removable so bullets can be loaded. There are multiple manufacturer's notes throughout the barrel and frame. On the left of the barrel, text reads [COLT D.A. 45]. On top of the barrel is the manufacture's information, [COLT’S PT FA MFG CO. HARTFORD, CT U.S.A. / PAT’D AUG. 5, 1884 JUNE 6 1900 JULY 4 1905]. On the left side of the frame, at the top next to the hammer are the letters [GHS] in a circle. Below the hammer on the frame is a horse standing on its hind legs with two spears. The bottom of the grip has a circular hinge with a cylinder shaped metal. Surrounding the hinge are the words, [U.S. / ARMY / MODEL / 1917 / N° / 22 / 883].

    Credit Line

    Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Charles Hamilton Houston, Jr. and Dr. Rosemary Jagus

    Date

    January 1918

    Object number

    2018.59.3

    Restrictions & Rights

    No Known Copyright Restrictions
    Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.

    Type

    pistols

    Medium

    metal and wood

    Dimensions

    H x W x D: 5 1/2 × 11 1/4 × 1 1/2 in. (14 × 28.6 × 3.8 cm)

    Place made

    Hartford, Connecticut, United States, North and Central America

    Place used

    France, Europe

    See more items in

    National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

    Classification

    Weapons and Ammunition

    Data Source

    National Museum of African American History and Culture

    Topic

    African American
    Buffalo Soldiers
    Military
    World War I

    Metadata Usage

    CC0

    Link to Original Record

    http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd51c86c80e-d05b-4eb8-a188-4c3326abcb39

    Record ID

    nmaahc_2018.59.3

    Discover More

    Purple Heart medal.

    African American WWI Military Service

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