Strange Mix of Proofs on an early 1917

[mdmorrissey]

I am fairly new into the field of the 1917s, so please bear with me if this is a stupid question. I came across this fairly "early" 17XXX serial 1917 which has the correct style of scalloped grips (not sure if they are matching or not), but what is strange is that the frame has the "later" Ordnance Bomb proof rather than the GHS, which is correct for this serial range. I believe the Ordance Bomb is correct for sometime after serial 42,000? I know the pix aren't the best, but they are all that I have. Even if the grips are not original, how come we are seeing a later proof on an earlier serialized gun? Is this normal? For what it is worth, the serial on the bottom of the barrel flat matches the serial number. Thanks in advance for your thoughts/input as I continue to learn about these.

 

[StrawHat]

Other, more versed folks will be along to answer your questions. Nice looking revolver and welcome to this forum.

Kevin

 

[Kinman]

I'd be interested to see the inside of the left side grip frame as well as to whether or not the right side grip panel has the serial number of this revolver pencilled in. Judging by the excellent overall condition of the finish I would suspect that those stocks were not original to the piece, judging from their overall battered condition relative to the finish.

 

[Hondo44]

We see anomalies like this when an early # gun was assembled months later than the serial # would usually indicate. There are new rules, only trends.