Smith & Wesson has introduced the Model 1917 Classic and Model 22 Classic, two .45-caliber N-frame revolvers now on sale, two weeks after Ruger ended most of its revolver production.

United States entry into World War I exceeded M1911 output, so Ordnance obtained large-frame .45 ACP revolvers from Smith & Wesson and Colt that used half-moon clips, and Smith & Wesson labeled a later version the Model 22 in 1957.

The Model 1917 Classic carries a half-moon front blade, fixed rear sight, smooth walnut stocks and a lanyard ring and fires only .45 ACP with half-moon or full-moon clips, five of the latter included. The Model 22 Classic uses a black serrated ramp front sight and chambers .45 ACP via moon clips or .45 Colt loaded without clips. Both share a blued carbon steel N-frame, fluted six-shot cylinder and double-action single-action mechanism without an internal lock, unlike the 2007 Thunder Ranch Model 22 and the Classic 22-4 that followed.