New to a 1917 need info please

[ttechinc]

just picked up a 1917 and been trying to do some research, it has the serial # on the cylinder, bottom of the grip frame, and bottom of the barrel, inside the crane the frame is stamped S8287 and the crane itself is stamped 8287, the right grip has the 8287 barely visible in pencil and the left grip has some writing on it I can't make out. the serial number is 251XX which shows febuary 1918, I thought the serial number was stamped on the crane ? the other number is an assembly # ? included some pictures to see if anybody else had some writing on the left grip, and maybe help get some information for me, and possibly a guess on value, thanks in advance for any help.

 

[Elroy]

As posted previously, the serial number is indeed stamped in the yoke

The serial number would be stamped on the rear of the yoke surface, perpendicular to the swing axis of the yoke. That surface would be parallel and in close proximity to the front face of the cylinder.

As stated above, "look through the cylinder chambers"

 

[ttechinc]

Elroy, sorry I didn't find your earlier post, still learning the forum, but anyway thanks so much it is there I just looking in all the wrong places.

 

[RKmesa]

Elroy, sorry I didn't find your earlier post, still learning the forum, but anyway thanks so much it is there I just looking in all the wrong places.

Welcome to the forum. It does take a little time to learn how to navigate all of the threads, posts and responses. There is a ton of info here and the search button on the top right can be your friend when trying to find info about your S&Ws.

All the best,

 

[daddio202]

Before WW2 serial number was not marked in the crane area. Those are internal numbers and mean nothing. The guns were soft fitted by skilled gunsmith's before finish was applied. So all the parts had to stay with gun until they were finished.The guns pre WW2 have a serial under barrel in the flat usually with a b signifying to be blued, also face of cylinder should have matching number , the front of crane, you have to look through cylinder chamber to see it, also on the butt by lanyard loop on 1917's. They used to write number inside one of the stocks too.