Recent content by CJS57

Here are some probably W&K pearls.

The M-19 pinned barrel 4" I had cracked with factory .357 ammo. The frame cracked right through the pinned barrel. I believe the drill hole weakened the frame. S&W sent a newer version with out question. No one was hurt.

My box is not stamped on the inside top lid with a date.

This is a correct 1955 to compare. OP's gun is nice but barrel was shortened outside the factory. OP's Target grips should be earlier style with diamond insert

He claimed it was .22 Magnum Rimfire not .22 LR for the extra cylinder. If it was magnum rimfire that would be very rare.

I would guess the .44's with military acceptance proofs are guns like this one that was a military redone by someone into a commercial caliber. Pictures of the OP's gun in question.

But in the case of this gun it is serial numbered on the butt and also marked US Property there and also has 2 separate Springfield Armory acceptance marks on the frame. So this gun was accepted into the US Military for the start of its life.

I agree the new numbers are a poor job. But not sure I agree they were engraved. The top leg of the 5 for example is very squared ended and looks stamped to me. The barrel serial looks like it was stamped over a pre-existing serial number. Again poor job that makes me think it is an outside job...

I do not own the gun, and it is not for sale by the gunshop owner. About the frame, it has 2 US Military acceptance proofs so I doubt it was left over parts that were used by the factory. I have no interest in the gun other than it is an interesting build.

Yes I agree, not too hard. Just get an original finish cylinder and get an original finish barrel that are un-numbered. Get some S&W font number punches and add the serial numbers. And then just drop them in. Not sure if those cylinder and barrel parts are readily available now? Not sure...

Please expand on why it was hard to do. I do believe you! Just more details please.

I did not measure it so it must be 6.5"

The .38 special 1917 was re-examined today. It was in my opinion reworked at Smith. Factory workmanship, not bubba. The cylinder is matching with no rework and no sleeves. The barrel is matching too. Both look like hand numbered and no numbers ground off. The barrel is a commercial .38 Special...

When I see it next week I will look closely at that replaced parts idea. Makes sense.

Ok thanks for the info. I will take my own minty U.S. 1917 in .45 ACP with me for a second look at the 38. But it is not a K frame. Will update next week.