So I got a parts gun sold to me as a 1917, but as I look at the serial number it doesn't match as I would looking through SCS&W. Serial number is 597XX in kinda a swirly writing, its not US marked on the bottom of grip. sideplate has S&W logo on it but not on the left side as Brazilians I have and seen. As I looked in the SCS&W this could make this pistol a Late 44HE. Can any of you guys confirm. Let me know

USNRigger

That serial number should be from a late 1930s N frame; it could be a .44, a .38/44 HD, a 1917 commercial. With adjustable sights, it could be a .38/44 Outdoorsman, a .44, or even a Registered Magnum.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

If it is a pre-WW II N frame, it could be one of several models, one of them being a .455 Mk II second model. What chambers in the cylinder (if you received that part)? Can you post photos?

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Fixed sights, narrows it a bit I guess. I'll get photos up. It did come with a non matching cylinder, so that doesn't help.

Photos:

It looks like it was drilled for a lanyard loop, correct?

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

Yes has what looks to be a factory lanyard hole with cross pin, also has a smooth trigger(not serrated)

- SCS&W puts 597XX c. 1940 - from my decoder ring skills

I suspect the S&W logo on a mismatched side plate may be delaying the frame’s identification. Your 3rd picture shows the frame’s assembly number. Assembly numbers keep fitted frames, side plates and yokes together before a serial number is assigned. Is 3267 also stamped on the back side of the side plate and on the yoke?

Is the rear sight a square notch or a U notch? If it’s a 1940ish frame it should have a square notch.

Now the important question: do you have a barrel and a plan to make it operational?

Okay, popped the girl open sideplate is matching to the frame and the yoke matches as well.(3267 =frame, yoke, and sideplate)

-I does have a U shaped rear sight

- Well I have a 44spl cylinder coming, and was going to do a 44spl target build. That was before I noticed it did not fall into 1917 serial range for a Brazilian and its not a US 1917. Figured id find as much as could with the info from the pistol before I made a new idea to get the old girl up and going again. Sadly the S&W logo is so faint I wont be able to save it I will either have to wipe it or keep it faint.

AFAIK the side plate logo and lack of U.S. Army markings rule out your disassembled frame being a 1937 Brazilian or U.S. government owned 1917. The U notch sight makes it an early revolver that might have been a left over U.S. 1917 that was completed after the war.

I read your other thread after making my first post in this one.

A cosmetic issue to consider is that nearly all post WWII target revolver barrels have a rib that is higher than the front of your frame.

FWIW I have a “sporterized” U.S. 1917 that wore adjustable sights as a service revolver during the time period you want your project revolvers to emulate. It got adjustable sights on a working man’s budget. It has a modern J frame rear and when I bought it it had a Micro front. The Micro front was a one piece ramp and blade slotted to fit over and pin onto the G.I. blade. I had it shortened to 4” and had a “shorty” rifle ramp soldered on. Its Redfield Sour Dough blade makes a nice rectangular pistol style sight picture. Conversions of its type were not uncommon. Their place is taken today by Mountain Guns and 4” 24s and 624s.

Since the sideplate has the same assembly number as the frame, the logo style is most consistent with a .455 Mk II as you mentioned initially. My guess would be the frame has been refinished (these had a bright blue finish from the factory, along with the wide sideplate seam), and the hammer also seems to have had material removed.

It should make a good project gun, with standard pressure .44 Special loads of course.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220