Sorry if this horse is dead, but here I go:
I just got a great 1917 pistol, serial number is on butt, face of cylinder and under barrel. It says US Army Model 1917 and then 326xx on the butt. That number also appears on the cylinder and the underside of barrel. In the yoke and overstamped under the barrel is S167xx. I understand that the number on the butt is the number to date this weapon by, not the S167xx number. Am I correct?
The pistol has a really good nickel job (wish it was factory!) and is mechanically excellent, although the grips are modern. What the heck is the S167xx number? Is this an internal S&W production numebr with the 326xx number being the "serial" number? Any help would be appreciated, I have fallen in love with this pistol!