Model 1917 Grip question

[mdmorrissey]

As a newbie here I am trying to gather some information prior to purchasing a Model 1917 and one question that I had was whether the grips were marked on the inside (in pencil) on the Model 1917s? I believe that to be the case but just wanted to make sure. Thanks for any information you can share.

 

[Retired W4]

The U.S. military 1917's (WW I) would have been produced during the time the pencil was used on those plain walnut stocks. If this is incorrect information someone who knows these guns better than I will be along.

 

[Muley Gil]

Welcome to the Forum.

Original grips should be numbered to the revolver. I've owned a number of 1917s, but never an unaltered one, so unknown if they were stamped or penciled.

Often, it is hard to read the penciled markings. Age and sometimes solvent can make them disappear.

 

[sodacan]

Pencil marked on the couple I have owned. Never seen any stamped. I have seen the penciled numbers on my current one, but they very faded and I really have to look for them.

 

[mdmorrissey]

Thanks to all for the input!

 

[Jack Flash]

I believe the statement that the s/n was written in pencil and not stamped is true for WWI era M1917s. But remember that the model continued to be made during peace time.

I have a Brazilian Contract, Second Group, M1917 that has the s/n stamped inside the stocks. It's possible that someone in Brazil did the stamping, but I think they were shipped that way. Hard to prove either way, I suppose.

I know some folks do not consider the Brazilians to be "true" M1917s. I only mention this to keep the discussion as factual as possible.

 

[OFT II]

I believe that the transition from penciling to stamping the serial number came in the 1930s.