Odd 1917

[walnutred]

Recently I picked up a shooter grade 1917 that is a little odd. Looks like it has a commercial frame, drilled for lanyard ring but serial number is read with the barrel facing right. Set up for 45 ACP with the serial number on the cylinder matching the frame. Small S&W logo on the left side of the frame. barrel is marked on the bottom United States Property but has no serial number on the bottom of the barrel. Grips are nice service grips but not numbered to the frame. The pistol has an old refinish so like I said, a shooter with no collector value.

Maybe the barrel was a NOS replacement installed before the refinish. Maybe S&W was using up some pre-marked left over parts when this revolver was assembled and just didn't mark the bottom of the barrel. Any thoughts? Serial number is 1744XX if that helps date her.

 

[Wiregrassguy]

My guess is it had a non-factory barrel replacement probably when it was refinished.

 

[Muley Gil]

Sounds like you have a commercial 1917 that has had the barrel replaced with a surplus US Army barrel and not at the factory.

 

[walnutred]

According the the database linked here in another post that frame should be at the tail end of the government contract run with a 1919 production date. However I wonder if the government simply canceled the contracts and stopped receiving shipments after WW1 like they did after WW2.