What Do I Have? 1917 Army Post War Transitional or 45 Hand Ejector Model of 1950

[Milpolice]

I was asked to help a friend identify a revolver he recently came upon. I'm stumped. The double action N Frame has a logo on the barrell "DA 45", serial number 62665. It is in overall Excellent condition, with beautiful diamond Magna grips, and a 5 1/2 inch barrel. There is a hole drilled in the frame, I believe to attach a lanyard.

My first thought was it is a model 1917, Army (Postwar Transitional) chambered for 45ACP using a half moon clip.

Reading further I discovered it could be the 45 Hand Ejector Model of 1950, Military (aka 1950 Army)

Any help identifying this gun will be greatly appreciated. Sorry I don't have pics, but it looks identical to the pic on page 165 of the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson, 3rd Edition.

Thanks in advance.


Mike (Milpolice)

 

[murphydog]

Photos would really help here...

A military 1917 Army will have "U.S. Army/Model 1917/No. 62665" on the bottom of the grip frame and a property stamp on the bottom of the barrel.

62665 by itself on the bottom of the grip frame would make it a very late prewar or early postwar 1917 Commercial. Both might have had Magna stocks with the serial number stamped on the inside of the right panel.

Did I mention photos would help?

 

[Milpolice]

Thanks so much Murph, and yes, I agree pics would help. Any idea on date of manufacture?

Hi Murph...here are a couple of pics that may help identify this revolver.

 

[Muley Gil]

Post war transitional-a 1950 Army will have an "S" prefix to the serial number.

 

[Hondo44]

The serial #62665 would be military issue 1917 Army serial range from sometime in 1917. Look for the military markings Murph listed above.

For it to be the model 1950 Army on page 165 it has to have an 'S' in front of the serial # on the gun butt. If you have the gun, (or ask your friend), to look for the 'S' about 1/2" in front of the serial #.

However, that serial # is too low to be in the post war N frame 'S' serial # range, the model 1950 started with # S 85,000 in the N frame serial range. But there can be exceptions. Double check the serial # with a magnifying glass.