Speculation of US marked M1905 4th change

[larryofcc]

Got my letter back on my M&P M1905 4th change, # 286930, no XXX's, that by all appearances seems to be a correctly marked U.S. revolver. The gun was shipped 10-31-1917 to Pacific Hardware and Steel Co. in San Francisco. Further research finds 3 Colt M1911's as being shipped there in 1915. I am wondering, as in WW2, a lot of guns were shipped to defense contractors, already marked US Property. As this gun was shipped during WW1, I am wondering if it somehow got into the system, by donation or whatever, and was ultimately US marked? The markings sure do look good considering some fakes I have seen.
I hate to let this gun go as it is in real nice shape for 1917. Big Larry