rjroberts
Member
I have looked through a number of the threads here on the subject, and have gleaned some useful information. Thanks. However, I have a few more questions, and rather than complicating by resurrecting one thread or another, I'll just ask. I have the following 1917:
Appears commercial, probably cobbled from military leftover parts post WWI.
-No s/n on the butt;
-s/n on frame. 8285 and a space and another number I can't be sure, and there is a 6 above it.
-s/n on yoke, 8685x;
-s/n underside of barrel 12063x
-s/n on cylinder 12063x (matches barrel)
There are eagle stamps on frame, and cylinder, forgot to check barrel.
Barrel underside is US Property.
Underneath grip, on grip frame, right side is D, left side is 18.
There are no Smith Logos on either side.
There is no "Made in USA" on the right side, though there is an A. No indication of removal, because one would have to grind pretty deep to remove part, leaving a wave leading up to the A.
The entire revolver is polished and blued. Obviously redone. Where the serial numbers are, there is a 4 digit stamp, larger numbers, 2x4x. From what I got from other threads, this is an assembly code to keep parts together for either an arsenal rebuild, or one thread I can't find said it was used after the war to make commercial 1917s out of leftover parts. I couldn't find the thread or I would have quoted it. And, why would an arsenal rebuild be polished and blued? I'd think it parked or whatever the original dull finish was.
The polishing is quite good. There is no "smearing" of numbers, though ones, especially on the barrel seem a bit shallow. If numbers were on the butt, it would have to be ground quite deep to remove them (they were deep on other examples I've seen). The side plates were smooth, I don't know how one would grind off a logo without a trace and be smooth. And, the military ones had no logos. The real puzzler is the lack of a Made in USA on the right, no trace of grinding. Just an A. I must say, whoever polished it knew his business.
If someone could take some calipers and measure the thickness of the bottom of the butt on one with numbers, I'd appreciate it. That way, I could see if enough had been ground off, or no grinding.
Any thoughts on this one? I'm thinking commercial post war from surplus parts, but I really am not knowledgeable enough to say anything but speculate.
Tried some photos with my cell phone, but they appear useless.
As a "one of the things" aside, the 4 digit "assembly codes", turn out to be my birthday, the reason I blocked out two for the posting.
Appears commercial, probably cobbled from military leftover parts post WWI.
-No s/n on the butt;
-s/n on frame. 8285 and a space and another number I can't be sure, and there is a 6 above it.
-s/n on yoke, 8685x;
-s/n underside of barrel 12063x
-s/n on cylinder 12063x (matches barrel)
There are eagle stamps on frame, and cylinder, forgot to check barrel.
Barrel underside is US Property.
Underneath grip, on grip frame, right side is D, left side is 18.
There are no Smith Logos on either side.
There is no "Made in USA" on the right side, though there is an A. No indication of removal, because one would have to grind pretty deep to remove part, leaving a wave leading up to the A.
The entire revolver is polished and blued. Obviously redone. Where the serial numbers are, there is a 4 digit stamp, larger numbers, 2x4x. From what I got from other threads, this is an assembly code to keep parts together for either an arsenal rebuild, or one thread I can't find said it was used after the war to make commercial 1917s out of leftover parts. I couldn't find the thread or I would have quoted it. And, why would an arsenal rebuild be polished and blued? I'd think it parked or whatever the original dull finish was.
The polishing is quite good. There is no "smearing" of numbers, though ones, especially on the barrel seem a bit shallow. If numbers were on the butt, it would have to be ground quite deep to remove them (they were deep on other examples I've seen). The side plates were smooth, I don't know how one would grind off a logo without a trace and be smooth. And, the military ones had no logos. The real puzzler is the lack of a Made in USA on the right, no trace of grinding. Just an A. I must say, whoever polished it knew his business.
If someone could take some calipers and measure the thickness of the bottom of the butt on one with numbers, I'd appreciate it. That way, I could see if enough had been ground off, or no grinding.
Any thoughts on this one? I'm thinking commercial post war from surplus parts, but I really am not knowledgeable enough to say anything but speculate.
Tried some photos with my cell phone, but they appear useless.
As a "one of the things" aside, the 4 digit "assembly codes", turn out to be my birthday, the reason I blocked out two for the posting.
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