Hi,
I'm getting ready to sell off most of my C&R stock (none in the collector category, all just plain jane shooters I picked) and can't come up with a definitive answer on the serial number.
I have this 6" pencil barrel 1905, 4th change. The butt has the serial number on the far right and an "S" to the left as shown in the picture. The frame has a small "3" and larger "2" in the crane window as shown in the picture.
The cylinder and crane are numbered identically to the gun serial number less the "S".
The last patent date on top of the barrel is Dec 28. 14. At least that's what it looks like.
The gun has a lot of pits and wear and I think somewhere along the road a professional re-bluing since the extent of the pits aren't too obvious without a studied look.
I don't think the grips are original. There is no color case hardening on the hammer or trigger.
Can anyone tell me whether the "S" is actually part of the serial number or something added later? If the "S" is in fact part of the serial number, then this would be a 1947 gun? If not, a "transitional" war gun?
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks
Chris