No serial number underside of barrell

[Gunslinger1917]

New to forum. Recently purchased a S&W US Army Model 1917 revolver. Serial number on bottom of strap matches serial number on the cylinder. United States Property mark on underside of barrel. To the right of USP there should be a serial number on the flat spot of the barrel but it's not there. All I have is an Eagle proof mark. No signs of removal. Showed it to a friend who things the barrel is original. Any thoughts why the serial number isn't there?
Also, I have a J with W underneath located on the right side plate forward of the trigger guard. Inspector initials? Can't find any info for those initials. Any thoughts?

 

[Muley Gil]

Welcome to the Forum.

Sounds like you have a 1917 that has been fitted with an un-numbered, inspected, replacement barrel.

When Uncle Sam bought firearms, he also bought replacement parts that military armorers could install if needed.

Generally, if the S&W factory had replaced the barrel, it would have numbered the barrel to the frame and stamped both the barrel and the frame with a mark and a date on the gripframe.

 

[JMD999]

You'll find help here, plenty of subject experts. I'm no help with war time issue lots of different things take place, but these guys know!
Pictures are quite important for many questions, (I,m just getting the hang of it) I'm an old "boomer" - not as old as many here but some how when it comes to our favorite pastime -(even I learned/learning).
Here is a link to this forum's FAQ (at top of page) on posting Pic's:

https://smith-wessonforum.com/faq.php?faq=vb3_reading_posting#faq_vb3_attachments
Welcome aboard! Mike

 

[Gunslinger1917]

No serial number underside of barrel

Thank you for the information explaining why the serial number is not on the barrel of my 1917. I know it went through Augusta Arsenal at some point in it's life since it has AA on the plate left side. Yes, I guess they could have swapped it out with a military barrel. Going to shoot it tomorrow.

 

[rct269]

As an aside of dubious value, given the fact that as time passes things change, I had a Model of '91 revolver that lettered as shipped as target---with an unnumbered latch/rear sight----------and in addition to my ignorance, I was distressed----more than a little bit!

Jinks to the rescue: Here's what he had to say, about the whole mess: For openers, the gun wasn't born as a target; it was a fixed sight gun pulled from stock, and converted to target----and that was a common practice (with top breaks). As to the unnumbered latch, the Service Department folks work on one gun at a time, with no parts from other guns on their bench, and accordingly have no need to number replacement parts----and don't spend any time doing so----EXCEPT when refinishing was also to be involved.

All this is as of June, 1910. What they did or didn't do before or after (and when before or after) is/may be another matter altogether.

As another aside of dubious value because I reckon most everyone already knows it, the only reason the sundry parts are numbered to match the frame is so they they can get back where they belong after finishing---which is done in pieces, and that goes like this: All parts fit to a frame are numbered. All parts fit to a part fit to a frame are numbered.

Ralph Tremaine