RE: serial numbers on Colt US M1917 revolvers.

Much confusion over this, but pretty easily understood when you hear the history.

Colt considered the M1917 revolvers to be New Service models and serial numbered them within that range of production. That serial number is stamped into the frame under the cylinder yoke.

The US military wanted (1) a serial number easily seen on the butt of the revolvers, and (2) all Model 1917 revolvers were serial numbered within the same range, whether made by Colt or S&W. That is the number marked on the butt of the grip frame.

Every Colt Model 1917 Army revolver produced on military contract will have two serial numbers, the Colt factory serial number on the frame yoke and the Army serial number on the butt.

Armchair experts love to argue over this simple point, and gun shows will invariably produce at least one guy who will argue until the cows come home that the Colt M1917 revolver in question is "mismatched".

Beyond that all I will offer is that all Colt M1917 military contract revolvers were originally finished in a non-reflective, rather rough, blued finish, and all were fitted with smooth walnut service stocks (grips). Many were arsenal-refinished during WW2 with a Parkerized finish. No military contract M1917 revolvers, to my knowledge, were fitted with the hard rubber grips (but some post-WW1 production may have been completed using parts on hand and civilian-style New Service grips).

When researching the revolver in question, and particularly when seeking a Colt historian's letter, the serial number stamped on the frame yoke is the number that should be referenced, as that is the official Colt serial number. The number stamped on the butt of the grip frame is the official military serial number, and military records are most likely to be found using that number rather than the Colt's number.

Interesting period of Colt production!