DA-45 age ???

S

steveh1032

Inactive
Hi .. new here and I hope someone can help.

I just inherited an old DA-45 serial # 398XX and I'd like to know something about it. Specifically, it's age and perhaps value. I realize value is subject to condition.

Thanks
 
Uh....... You might start with giving the make, model and particulars, even better, photos.

Colt? Smith & Wesson? Webley? Details like that help.

Bob Wright
 
Colt used that marking, but they did so on several models, so that is not much help. More information please, or preferably, good pictures.

Jim
 
It is a S&W .45 Hand Ejector US Army Model of 1917.
Made in 1917 or early 1918.
Caliber is .45 ACP in half or full moon clips, or .45 Auto Rim. NOT .45 "Long" Colt.

It ought to have various military inspector's markings; there ought to be a little round GHS monogram and/or an Ordnance Bomb stamp.

It looks in very good condition except that the lanyard loop has been yanked off the butt. I won't guess a value but it is well up in the hundreds of bucks.
 
no marks

I did some research online and expected to find stamps and other markings from the gov't but there are none to be found. There is a hole where the lanyard use to be but no "US" stamp.

Thanks for your help.
 
A commercial M1917, the grips are not original. The commercial model would have had checkered grips.

Value maybe between $400 to $500, maybe a little more.

Bob Wright
 
I didn't know they made commercial 1917s that early.
Even with GI grips and no lanyard loop, it might well go for more than $500.
 
I can't be sure, but I don't see the gap between the rear of the cylinder and the frame that should be there in a 1917, whether one delivered to the government or one made later. Better pictures might help, but the OP should check to be sure the gun has not been converted to .45 Colt (".45 Long Colt") before trying to fire it.

Jim
 
Maybe so, hard to tell from one dull picture.
I think there is SOMETHING at the top of the frame where the inspection stamp, either GHS or Bomb would normally go. Buffed out stamp or used gun mar, I can't tell.
 
Interesting

Well, now I'm very curious. I'll post some additional photos as soon as I get a chance. It's beginning to sound mysterious.

Thanks to all who weighed in on this.
 
"Scrubbed" of Army markings and reblued.
The serial number used to be on the butt of the gun beside the lanyard loop.
The scratches on the top left of the frame are where the inspector's mark was.

Where did you get the number 398xx? Off the bottom of the barrel or rear of the cylinder, it is the serial number. If inside the yoke, it is a fitting number used only in the factory.
 
The serial number is under the ejector rod and can only be seen when the cylinder is opened.

I did find another marking on the crane - a large S with 2025 under it.

Why would someone remove the government markings ? Were they considered taboo at one time?
 
The usual reason government stamps were removed is because someone stole the gun from the military and figured that if they removed the stamps no one would know it was stolen US Government property.

Of course it's easily possible to tell it's a government revolver.

It is possible to inadvertently remove stamps when a ham-handed polisher over-buffs a gun during refinishing, but that doesn't explain removing the serial number from the butt.
Removing the serial number is not only a sure sign of a stolen gun, it also makes the gun illegal to own even today.
 
Those pictures show a normal Model 1917 cylinder made short enough that it can be loaded with .45 ACP cartridges with moon clips, so my previous concern about caliber is not valid.

Jim
 
Dfariswheel .. are you saying that what I thought was the serial number isn't a "real" serial number ? Holy Crime Fighters Batman, do I have an illegal product in my possession ?
 
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