my .45 Hand Ejector U.S. Army Model 1917 is a commercial model with sn: 1894xx made some time in the late 1930s (I believe). It has the S&W trademark on the left side of the frame and S&W monogramed checkered diamond walnut grips indicative of commercial models. The butt is not marked U.S. ARMY MODEL 1917 nor is the barrel flat marked UNITED STATES PROPERTY. The sn is matching on the butt, cylinder face, and back of the extractor star. No sn on the barrel flat and the yoke has an assembly number only which matches an assembly number on the frame. Now the strange part: the barrel flat is marked "USN 416" and the butt is marked "GSP 84" indicative of military service, probably during WWII. Can anyone shed some light on this military marked commercial revolver?
Commercial Model 1917 with military markings???
- Thread starter stanccr
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
lamarw
Member
I agree the frame is a Commercial Version. I can not speak to the stocks/grips or the barrel. Both of mine, with earlier serial numbers, have matching serial numbers on the barrel, butt and the cylinder face. The stocks/grips on mine are also without the metal S&W crest.
Can you post a picture of the top of the barrel?
Can you post a picture of the top of the barrel?
Last edited:
It's not a military marking, the USN stamp is spurious. The barrel serial # should be there but was removed and not by the Navy. Why does the "GSP 84" indicate military svc to you? Do you know a meaning for those letters?
Yes the grips would indicate 1930s production if the serial # stamped on the back of the right grip matches the gun.
Yes the grips would indicate 1930s production if the serial # stamped on the back of the right grip matches the gun.
- Joined
- Jun 28, 2007
- Messages
- 27,669
- Reaction score
- 21,352
One guess may be it was a Georgia State Patrol issued gun, with an inventory number.
Unfortunately, General George S. Patton was born in (18)85, so I doubt he owned it.
Unfortunately, General George S. Patton was born in (18)85, so I doubt he owned it.
Welcome to the forums from the Wiregrass! This is one that needs an historian's letter, IMO.
Barrel
Here is the picture of the top of the barrel lamarw requested. The sn on the right grip pannel does not match. Hondo44, The USN 416 marking seemed to me to be from the USN since at least two WWII ships were numbered 416, a destroyer and a destroyer escort. The destroyer was sunk by the Japanese so it probably was not on that ship. murphydog thanks for the Georgia State Patrol hint. I'll probably request a historian's letter just for the fun of it.
Here is the picture of the top of the barrel lamarw requested. The sn on the right grip pannel does not match. Hondo44, The USN 416 marking seemed to me to be from the USN since at least two WWII ships were numbered 416, a destroyer and a destroyer escort. The destroyer was sunk by the Japanese so it probably was not on that ship. murphydog thanks for the Georgia State Patrol hint. I'll probably request a historian's letter just for the fun of it.
Attachments
- Joined
- Aug 19, 2009
- Messages
- 1,429
- Reaction score
- 1,343
I would suspect that the under barrel markings where added by a previous owner. They are uneven, indicating done with individual stamps. Not likely to have anything to do with the US Navy, more likely a personal property mark (at least it's not a Social Security number, I've seen too many guns disfigured with those). I think the earlier poster was on the right track with the GSP 84 as a police property and inventory ID. The other markings being added later after the revolver was sold or otherwise left service with the police agency.
