1917 Army Questions

[Clay Bird]

I have a 1917 that hasa serial #102737 that is in all the
proper places , it also has #8854 that is hand stamped
oncly back face under extractor,on yoke, and where yoke
closes on frame,also on barrel flat along with eagle proof
but does not cover original #. Left grip panel is correct for serial # range, right panel has concaved top from early
# range. Do i have arsenal rewerk ? 8854 is much deeper
than original # also they are not stamped in straigt line.
opinions please.

 

[jmace57]

These are likely assembly numbers rather than serial numbers

 

[jsfricks]

Might want to take a look at this-
http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-hand-ejectors-1896-1961/326457-identify-your-gun.html

 

[Clay Bird]

Assembly #s are there also, #8854 are much larger than
any assembly #s i have ever seen

 

[Clay Bird]

The #s also have the eagle inspector mark .

 

[JSR III]

The guns serial number is the one on the butt. It should match the ones under the barrel, behind the extractor star, on the cylinder and on the yoke as seen through one of the charge holes with a flashlight. If these numbers do not match, then there are replaced parts on the gun.

Many times these guns were broken down either by military armorers or LE armorers and there was sometimes no care taken when putting the parts back together. They were considered a tool and since all parts were assumed to fit regardless of serial number, care was not always taken when reassembling. There is also the possibility that a prior owner had a problem with a barrel, a cylinder or whatever and changed the part for a non matching one. After almost 100 years, it is sometimes impossible to know what happened during the guns life.

 

[Clay Bird]

Butt # is102737 and is all the locations you mention.

#8854 is on barrel flat, on yoke,onback of clylinder UNDER

extractor and has inspectors eagle present.

 

[handejector]

It is an arsenal refurb/refinish.
I have seen some of them.

WHY they added a number when those parts already had a serial number is almost ludicrous.
The ONLY reason I can think of is that they MAY have been doing some Colt 1917s at the same time, and they do not have as many serial numbered parts as an S&W.

So, using military logic-
"Private/Corporal/Sgt, the Capt said to number ALL the parts when you disassemble one. So, number all the parts whether they have numbers or not!"

 

[Clay Bird]

Thanks Hand Ejector ,you confirmed my first impresion
of what i have.

 

[H Richard]

Lee, I agree, your reasoning is good "Military" logic. Not necessarily logical.