Two new (old) revolvers......

[coltjeeper]

I hit a goldmine (to me anyway) today. Managed to pick up two old revolvers.

One is a Model of 1917 Smith & Wesson .45 ACP revolver in excellent shape, SN is 1000xx. Its got a little wear but not real bad, I mean it was made in 1917 (I assume). Mechanically its excellent. Still has the original grips and lanyard ring too.


The other is a virtually NIB Colt Detective Special, 2" bbl, .38 Special with a blued finish. Its a first issue model, SN is 4494xx. It has with it the original box, papers, hang tag, everything. I couldn't believe it when they brought it out of the back of the store when I asked if they had any. If its been fired its been maybe a cylinder or two if that. Its got a couple very small imperfections in the finish but thats it.


What I'd like to know is if anyone can give me some exact dates of manufacture on these two? And maybe a value too. I'll wait to post how much I gave after I get some ideas. I think I got a pretty decent deal though.

 

[Dr.Who]

Your Colt would be from 1936-1937, it shares the same numbers as the Police positive model.

Your Smith 1917, I can only guess. I have one with a 5 digit number that was built in 1918. Your 6 digit number I would guess at 1920's or so... Age mine by finding a website with smith numbers listed. Can't find the address at the moment...

Hope some one else has a littler better S&W info...

 

[coltjeeper]

Dr. Who,

Forgot to mention that the 1917 does have US Property marks and proof marks on it. The US Prop. marks are on the underside of the barrel and the butt of the grip (also has the SN). The SNs on the barrel, frame and cylinder all match too. Blue Book said the 1917s (military models) were made from '17-'19 with SNs up to something like 170,000 or so.

 

[coltjeeper]

Dr. Who,

Is this maybe the site you were talkin' about? http://m1903.com/sn/usmildates.htm
I got it from someone on the www.smith-wessonforum.com

It states my revolver was made in 1918.

 

[Old Fuff]

Smith & Wesson received an initial contract for 100,000 model 1917 revolvers on August 8, 1917. The price was $14.75 ea. with one set of half-moon clips thrown in. The contract was completed in August 1918. By that time they had received a second contract for an additional 172,000 guns, but only 63,634 were completed by January 1919 when the contract was terminated. The price was increased to $15.60 ea. I think your gun was made sometime during September 1918.

 

[coltjeeper]

Are there any sources online for the SNs to Colt Detective Specials? If not, what book has them and where could I get that?
Thanks!

 

[Ala Dan]

Greeting's All-

The "book"* say's that your Smith & Wesson model
of 1917 could have been manufactuered from
1917-to- 1946; cuz the serial numbers ran from #1
to #209791, during that time frame.

*Standard Catalog Of Smith & Wesson, 2nd edition by Supica & Nahas


Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

 

[Dr.Who]

ColtJeeper, Looks like your on your way....

 

[Johnny Guest]

S/Ns on Colts - - -

You asked about "The Book" on Colts - -

COLT An American Legend by R. L. Wilson has good tables in the back. Beautiful color photography.
The Book of Colt Firearms by R. L. Wilson and R. Q. Sutherland, somewhat earlier, has S/N listings by model, as well. Published in 1970, it is one of the great standard references.

There are other lists out there, but most of them come from one of these works.

AlaDan already mentioned "The" S&W book.

Best,
Johnny