Smith & Wesson Forum

Go Back   Smith & Wesson Forum > Smith & Wesson Revolvers > S&W Hand Ejectors: 1896 to 1961
o

Notices

S&W Hand Ejectors: 1896 to 1961 All 5-Screw & Vintage 4-Screw SWING-OUT Cylinder REVOLVERS, and the 35 Autos and 32 Autos


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 07-07-2018, 10:40 PM
saber58 saber58 is offline
Member
M1917 w/British Proofs?  
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Kirkland, WA
Posts: 15
Likes: 21
Liked 34 Times in 8 Posts
Default M1917 w/British Proofs?

Hi All,
I recently purchased a M1917 which has in addition to the standard US markings, what appear to be British proof markings. Each cylinder has a crown over a coupled CP. the right side of the barrel has an NP, a symbol, then .45”, then .900”, then 7 Tons. So the question is: are these British proofs, and what would that tell me about this revolver’s history. The serial number places the year of manufacture as 1918. There are no import markings. Any information is greatly appreciated.
Mark






Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Reply With Quote
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
  #2  
Old 07-07-2018, 11:35 PM
AlanDavid AlanDavid is offline
Member
M1917 w/British Proofs? M1917 w/British Proofs? M1917 w/British Proofs? M1917 w/British Proofs? M1917 w/British Proofs?  
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 205
Likes: 229
Liked 199 Times in 89 Posts
Default

They are British commercial proof marks. Look like London proof house rather than Birmingham. The only thing these marks tell us is that the revolver was in the UK and proofed there after the war.

In all likely hood however this may be one of the 20,000 Model 1917 pistols that were part of the $37 million purchase of U.S. military weapons purchased through the U.S Steel Corporation in June 1940.

Some of these revolvers have been observed with Air Ministry markings or the vestige of red paint in the markings on the barrel, used to show that the weapon was of a non standard calibre in British service.


Regards

AlanD
Sydney
Reply With Quote
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
  #3  
Old 07-08-2018, 10:54 AM
PJGP PJGP is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: South Africa
Posts: 356
Likes: 0
Liked 236 Times in 118 Posts
Default

Yes, they are post 1955 London Proof House marks. It is not CP, but GP (originally Gunakers Proof).

Peter
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #4  
Old 07-08-2018, 11:14 AM
Iggy's Avatar
Iggy Iggy is online now
Member
M1917 w/British Proofs? M1917 w/British Proofs? M1917 w/British Proofs? M1917 w/British Proofs? M1917 w/British Proofs?  
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Wyoming
Posts: 10,419
Likes: 10,417
Liked 28,226 Times in 5,272 Posts
Default

Probably proofed after being declared surplus and offered for sale to the public in 1955.
__________________
Eccentric old coot
Reply With Quote
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
  #5  
Old 07-08-2018, 11:52 AM
Absalom's Avatar
Absalom Absalom is offline
SWCA Member
Absent Comrade
M1917 w/British Proofs? M1917 w/British Proofs? M1917 w/British Proofs? M1917 w/British Proofs? M1917 w/British Proofs?  
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Oregon
Posts: 12,834
Likes: 10,103
Liked 27,995 Times in 8,452 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Iggy View Post
Probably proofed after being declared surplus and offered for sale to the public in 1955.
Yes, in or after. The rule and therewith the pattern of stampings changed in 1955.

As Alan points out, these are commercial; whoever bought these from the government had the responsibility to get them to one of the proofhouses and get them proofed. Birmingham used a helpful viewmark that could tell us the year, but London did not until much later.

And in case the OP wants the proofs explained: .45 is obviously the caliber, .900 the proof load case length, and 7 tons per square inch the pressure.
Reply With Quote
The Following 4 Users Like Post:
  #6  
Old 07-09-2018, 12:55 AM
saber58 saber58 is offline
Member
M1917 w/British Proofs?  
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Kirkland, WA
Posts: 15
Likes: 21
Liked 34 Times in 8 Posts
Default

Gentleman, you all Rock! Thanks for the info. I’ve given the M1917 a good scrubbing, and ordered some .45 AR casings.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
British Proofs ? anticus S&W Hand Ejectors: 1896 to 1961 6 04-26-2020 03:58 PM
M&P Model of 1905 with British Proofs RWCochran S&W Hand Ejectors: 1896 to 1961 28 03-24-2018 10:10 PM
K22 Outdoorsman with British proofs briand1030 S&W Hand Ejectors: 1896 to 1961 2 03-21-2012 09:28 PM
possible m1917 british proof marks Remyshooter S&W Hand Ejectors: 1896 to 1961 22 03-19-2012 02:56 PM

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
smith-wessonforum.com tested by Norton Internet Security smith-wessonforum.com tested by McAfee Internet Security

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 03:29 AM.


Smith-WessonForum.com is not affiliated with Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (NASDAQ Global Select: SWHC)