Help with ID of S&W revolver

[retired2006]

I have a friend who has an old Smith revolver, which I believe to be a 1917, however I would like opinions from you folks.
I don't have pictures, but will discribe as best I can.
It is nickel plated, 5" barrel, fixed half moon front sight, 45ACP, says S&W DA45 on the barrel. On the top of the barrel is the patent dates of: dec 17, 1901 Feb 6, 1906 and Sep 14, 1909, It has several sets of numbers, but NO number on the butt of the revolver, but does have a hole for a lanyard loop, which is not there. In the yoke area of the frame is the number 6816, which is on the frame and the yoke itself. The underside of the barrel and the cylinder have the number 9645 on them. There is also a "S" on the cylinder, opposite the 9645.
There is no "US" markings, but there is a ordinance type marking on the left side of the frame near the rear sight notch, but I could not read it.
The finish appears to be factory, as the markings on the top of the barrel are very shape and clear.
Did S&W make these guns in nickel, and did the commercial versions have the lanyard loop?
Where should the factory serial number be, in the yoke area or on the butt?
Any help appreciated and thanks.

 

[retired2006]

I have a friend who has an old Smith revolver, which I believe to be a 1917, however I would like opinions from you folks.
I don't have pictures, but will discribe as best I can.
It is nickel plated, 5" barrel, fixed half moon front sight, 45ACP, says S&W DA45 on the barrel. On the top of the barrel is the patent dates of: dec 17, 1901 Feb 6, 1906 and Sep 14, 1909, It has several sets of numbers, but NO number on the butt of the revolver, but does have a hole for a lanyard loop, which is not there. In the yoke area of the frame is the number 6816, which is on the frame and the yoke itself. The underside of the barrel and the cylinder have the number 9645 on them. There is also a "S" on the cylinder, opposite the 9645.
There is no "US" markings, but there is a ordinance type marking on the left side of the frame near the rear sight notch, but I could not read it.
The finish appears to be factory, as the markings on the top of the barrel are very shape and clear.
Did S&W make these guns in nickel, and did the commercial versions have the lanyard loop?
Where should the factory serial number be, in the yoke area or on the butt?
Any help appreciated and thanks.

 

[mikepriwer]

The serial number should be 9645, as found on the underside of the barrel and on
the rear face of the cylinder. It should be on the butt, as well; if it is not,
then it might be on front grip strap, or possibly under the grips, stamped into
the frame there. If there is no serial number on the frame, in any of those places,
then your friend will have a problem if the gun comes to the attention of ATF. It
is the frame that has to be serial-numbered; the other two locations are not official
locations !

As far as I know, there were no nickel 1917's - at least with that low of a serial
number.

Later, Mike Priwer

 

[opoefc]

As Mike says, 9645 is the serial number, which is pretty low for the gun to be a commercial model of the 1917, originally shipped from the factory with a nickel finish, so it is probably a refinsh at some time after it left S&W as a blur gun. The barrel should be 5 1/2 inches, as measured from the front of the cylinder. Apparently someone has removed the serial number and the US Army/Model 1917 stamping from the butt, a felony. You should replace the number 9645 thereon, or on the frame under the grips. What type of grips does it have? If they are original to the gun the right grip will have the number 9645 stamped on the back side.