colt .45 1917 revolver s#

[Dale B]

Hello, I have a colt .45 1917 revolver S# 181,xxx would anyone know the apx. date of manufacture, I am guessing post ww1 because there are no markings on the bottom where the lanyard swivel is. Barrel is marked U.S. prop. Revolver is Blued. S.# is on the frame and crane. and on the inside of the sideplate, black plastic grips w/colt on them. There is another 3 digit number stamped on the Barrel, crane & frame, also on the Cylinder. Not factory stamped. Any thoughts Thanks for any info.

Dale B.

[herd118]

1919

[r.blue]

Herd,
How about mine?
R.Blue

[herd118]

http://proofhouse.com/colt/ and http://armscollectors.com/srs/lookup_coltda45.php

There is some controversy about whether the "real" serial number of the Colt 1917 is the frame number or the butt number. As I recall, the butt number is the military serial number and the frame number is the Colt serial number. The frame serial number is also repeated on the crane and on the back of the sideplate.

[r.blue]

Thanks,
I'll go dig it out and check the serial number. That information is great....I've got a couple of other Colt models and I'll check them out as well.
R.B.

[herd118]

http://armscollectors.com/ is a treasure trove for lots of serial numbers for military and sporting arms, as well as armory disposal records by serial number. BTW, the butt number 20073 dates yours to 1917.

[Dale B]

Thanks herd118 great info.

Dale B.

[jacobtowne]

The U.S. M1917 Colt was factory numbered in the New Service range, from about 149,000 to 305,000. Ordnance then gave them a service number beginning with 1 and continuing to about 155,000

My example is SN 275xxx and was shipped in October, 1918.

The S&W M1917 (.44 Hand Ejector) was produced with its own factory serial range, so the factory and service numbers are identical.

It's possible that someone ground off the ordnance butt stamps on your revolver during a refinish.

JT