Smith in Colt Clothing?

[iskra]

Let's pretend! A prewar Smith masquerading as a Colt New Service, 45 Colt, c. 1939! Pretty good disguise huh!...

Just for the purposes of seeking help in this Smith Forum please... To ID a foreign proof, the only one of a fairly pristine gun! Just over the cylinder latch. Below photos principally show gun & proof positioning only. Otherwise too blurry for proof ID.

It appears: A crown over the number "17" over another number and that over something of a square. Narrow, vertical and appearing likely one single die for the whole mark.

A recently inquiry with the kind folks over on the Colt Forum so far without results. So spreading my bet, I wonder if any members might be able to put together a blurry image and a description to ID this marking.

Otherwise logical but apparently not any kind of British marking so far noted. The crown would fit (no pun intended) but the numbers in the tight vertical column simply don't! Appears struck with a single die.

Below several pix of the gun and a close one (best currently available) of the proof. Some proof mark research on the Internet also so far negative as well as positioning of the mark.

Any assistance appreciated!

 

[rgm36]

S&W as Colt

One thing I can tell you for sure is... that is "not" a Smith & Wesson.

Hope this helps

 

[Drm50]

Rampant Colt trademark in frame, Colt logo on grip medallion,
What would make it a S&W? I don't see the problem. I would
say it was civilian market gun, if grips are original. I have 3
Colt NS, 2 Brit & 1 U.S. Civilian sale model.

 

[Frank46]

Can't help with the markings on your colt but usually the Brits marked everything in sight. Frank

 

[iskra]

Well guys... Just a humorous context in that lead in!!! Of course not Smith! Just a jab at trying to squeeze a Colt question into the primo S&W Forum! It just seemed the lead in "Let's pretend..." was a good clue of the fun-poking context! And now, that explained... Whew!


My actual, this is no drill, question was whether anyone recognized the particular proof mark the Colt bore. This Thread was in the context of some certainty there are Smiths that bear this same acceptance stamp and therefore likely some S&W collectors who should recognize it!

It appears likely I just now have an answer in that it is not a proof mark at all. Rather it is the Royal Small Arms Factory (RSAF) Enfield acceptance marking for a British government emergency war purchase that went from the Colt factory to Britain. Such in those early desperate post-Dunkirk days of WWII as the Brits were contemplating an invasion and likely street by street combat.

So... Thanks for all contributions! Yet still hoping to hear from any Smith collectors who may have input about handguns which may bear similar markings.

And here as to the humorous misunderstanding...

My chuckling take!

 

[Lee's Landing Billy]

My idea of a Smith in Colt's clothing.

 

[Lee's Landing Billy]

If you ever want to do this, use a 2 1/2 inch mdl 19 and you won't end up with a step at the top like you can see on mine. These look good with a 2 1/2 inch or 3 inch Python barrel. We use to pick these barrels up for 75 to 100 dollars. Not cost worthy now. But it makes all the ones we did worth a little more.

 

[drgbike]

A mill will take that step right out and taper the rib from back to front!!

 

[Shorty 45 MK2]

Got me beat, but it sure looks nice.

Hope you find out where it's from.

 

[Texas Star]

Got me beat, but it sure looks nice.

Hope you find out where it's from.

Well, it's from Hartford, CT. Where do you think it's from ?

Seriously, it's probably one bought by the Brits in 1940 or sent as a US donation when they were begging US households for guns. Then, the rascals dumped a lot of those in the ocean a few years later. Made no attempt to return them or sell them on the open market. Didn't want loose guns in their nanny state.

 

[iskra]

Just a conclusionary 'Thanks to all!'. Even to those who missed the humor effort. Now en route to that answer, I've just seen some very pretty if confused "Smolts"! Thanks for the education and pix. Handsome guns! And now I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop. A rampant Colt stallion edition mated to a Lady Smith! A gun with a gender identity crisis! Life's getting too complex!
And that...
Just my take

 

[drgbike]

Now I see where I am going wrong I have been putting Rossi and Tuarus barrel on my Smith conversions. No wonder they don't have any resale value, DUH!