A different 1917 US Army question: Serial Numbers?

depicts · #1 03-02-2008, 01:47 PM

In looking at my 1917, there is one serial number over the other. Mine reads 1 over 641.

Where did this serial number range start?

Are there guns that are LOWER in number to mine that would not have the 1 over the bottom numbers?

In the case of newer 1917's, a number like 58 over 527, or 112 over 237,... what is the Army stamping indicating? I know it's an Army number, and not exactly a serial number.

I know I'm making this confusing, but was there a serial number 001 with no top number?

Is my model #1641 the 641st one produced in the first run? Or is it the 1641st gun produced?

Can anyone explain this to me. I've never seen this question asked before and don't know quite how to phrase it to do a logical search.

Thanks.

depicts · #2 03-02-2008, 01:47 PM

In looking at my 1917, there is one serial number over the other. Mine reads 1 over 641.

Where did this serial number range start?

Are there guns that are LOWER in number to mine that would not have the 1 over the bottom numbers?

In the case of newer 1917's, a number like 58 over 527, or 112 over 237,... what is the Army stamping indicating? I know it's an Army number, and not exactly a serial number.

I know I'm making this confusing, but was there a serial number 001 with no top number?

Is my model #1641 the 641st one produced in the first run? Or is it the 1641st gun produced?

Can anyone explain this to me. I've never seen this question asked before and don't know quite how to phrase it to do a logical search.

Thanks.

Raider · #3 03-02-2008, 02:02 PM

The top and bottom numbers on the butt are put together to make the whole serial number.
123
___
456 equals serial number 123456. Unusual presentation because of the lanyard ring.

Muley Gil · #4 03-02-2008, 02:02 PM

You own the 1641st S&W 1917 so stamped. There just wasn't room to post the entire number in one line.

handejector · #5 03-03-2008, 07:05 AM

Quote:

Where did this serial number range start?

They started at 1 with no Zeros.

Quote:

Are there guns that are LOWER in number to mine that would not have the 1 over the bottom numbers?

There are 1640 guns with lower numbers. 999 of them won't have the 1.

Quote:

In the case of newer 1917's, a number like 58 over 527, or 112 over 237,... what is the Army stamping indicating? I know it's an Army number, and not exactly a serial number.

Incorrect- that IS the serial number. Same number will be on barrel, cyl, extractor, and back edge of yoke.

Don't make it hard. Just read it as a serial number.

depicts · #6 03-04-2008, 11:45 AM

Thans for the help guys. Sometimes my Italian shows too much!!!