2 Serial #s On 1917 Cylinder

James K · #1 01-16-2022, 08:09 PM

My US Army 1917 has all matching frame numbers 109808 including penciled stocks but there is a second number stamped on the cylinder that doesn't show anywhere else. Normal? Refurbish?

murphydog · #2 01-16-2022, 08:12 PM

Could be a refitted/repurposed cylinder from an earlier 1917, which may have been rejected at production.

opoefc · #3 01-16-2022, 11:32 PM

My 1st thought was the same as Alans, however that 2nd # is not a ser. number possible for a 1917 revolver ( it begins with a "zero",) unless it was a cylinder intended for a "zero" club gun that was not used for the club gun, for whatever reason, and returned to the parts bin and got used later on for your gun. Ed

Hondo44 · #4 01-17-2022, 12:51 AM

Ed,
Yeah that serial # beginning with a zero is a stumper. And l’m drawing a blank except also a repurposed cyl, from a club gun.

gwpercle · #5 01-17-2022, 09:41 AM

Could it be an " Assembly " number ?
Gary

James K · #6 01-17-2022, 09:57 AM

FWIW, this is a family heirloom that was issued to my great- uncle who was a Major during WW2 and stationed in Italy. Definitely a single owner gun until passed to my father and then me.
Possibly a refurbish prior to military issue?

murphydog · #7 01-17-2022, 12:00 PM

On my smartphone screen I saw the alternate number but wasn’t sure if it started with a zero. Mysterious indeed.

James K · #8 01-17-2022, 12:04 PM

Here's another pic. Yes, it starts with a zero.

Heinz · #9 01-17-2022, 12:12 PM

Does it have some arsenal refurbish stamps on the frame or the grips?
SA or RIA may appear on the lower right frame, AA on the lower left frame.
I have always liked the firearms that served in two world wars.

James K · #10 01-17-2022, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Heinz

Does it have some arsenal refurbish stamps on the frame or the grips?
SA or RIA may appear on the lower right frame, AA on the lower left frame.
I have always liked the firearms that served in two world wars.

Here's some more pix of stamps. It does have the Flaming Bomb.

Hondo44 · #11 01-17-2022, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gwpercle

Could it be an " Assembly " number ?
Gary

No. One of the rare consistences of the hand ejectors is the ASSEMBLY (factory work, soft fitting) #s:

These multi-digit numbers are 3 to 5 digits only. They are on the yoke at the hinge, in the ‘yoke cut’ on frame opposite the yoke near the hinge (usually accompanied with the inspector’s letter or # code stamp of approval, but not always), and inside of the side plate, for the pre war and early post war period thru ~early 1958 when changes occurred.

handejector · #12 01-17-2022, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James K

Here's some more pix of stamps. It does have the Flaming Bomb.

How about a pic of the barrel number?
That is very strange indeed.

I know of several 1917 club guns in the 0280's serial numbers.

I think Ed gave the likeliest explanation:

Quote:

Originally Posted by opoefc

My 1st thought was the same as Alans, however that 2nd # is not a ser. number possible for a 1917 revolver ( it begins with a "zero",) unless it was a cylinder intended for a "zero" club gun that was not used for the club gun, for whatever reason, and returned to the parts bin and got used later on for your gun. Ed

Heinz · #13 01-17-2022, 09:26 PM

James K. Really nice photos. The serial number is consistent with having been shipped to the US Government in the first batch 169 thousands plus. Approximately June or July of 1918 based on the acceptance marks and their location.
I have no clue on the extra cylinder number

opoefc · #14 01-18-2022, 01:41 AM

There are several club guns ( "Zero #d ") with 6 digit numbers starting with "05etc." but 056935 is not on the factory list,( which we know is an incomplete listing.) and I would not expect it to be listed if the cylinder used in the poster's gun did come from a club gun that never left the factory and the parts were returnrd to the scrap bin. Ed ( At one time long ago, Don Mundell was going to write a book on Club guns. I'm still waiting! )

Club Gun Fan · #15 01-18-2022, 03:09 PM

I looked for all 1917 Club Guns. There isn't anything even close to the number on that cylinder. Ed, I never said I was writing a book on Club Guns. I think your thinking of Charlie Calls book on Club Guns.

opoefc · #16 01-19-2022, 05:07 PM

Don, Looking back at my emails to you and responses, circa Mar. 2015, I sent you copies if my files on Zero #d guns from Hellstrom's notebook and you remarked that Call's list called the 088 to 099 T-Lock guns as "New Sentry" and target sights were "Partridges" , etc., and that you were working on transcribing Call's handwritten list into printed type. That memory sparked me to incorrectly say you were writing a book . I'll settle for an author signed printed copy of Charlie Calls list, OK ? Ed