I received a phone call from a gun friend of mine today, who has just purchased a S&W Model 1917 in 45ACP with s/n 12XXX with a prefix of "S" ....he seems to believe that the "S" makes the pistol worth more in value ??? The gun is in excellent condition.
Okay, we have some conflicts. An "S"
prefix would be S495XX, but this does not jibe with known post-war Model 1917's. Those serial numbers were in the S209xxx to S210xxx range.
Double check the number of digits you are providing. Post-war "S" prefixed guns should have a six-digit s/n. A pre-1946 revolver may have a s/n of 495xx but it is unlikely to have an "S" prefix. That's why some of the confusion. Also note whether the "S" is the same size as the digits or a smaller sized "S" or "s" stamp. This would have a different meaning if stamped on the gun later.
Either serial number - 12,xxx or 49,5xx would be within the first 163,600 made for the U.S. Army in 1917-1919.
Serial numbers are stamped on the butt, cylinder face, barrel flat, yoke and back of the extractor star. If the gun was rebuilt at some time by the Army, some of these numbers may not match (i.e. if the gun was rebarreled).
A 1917 made between 1917 and 1946 should show the following features;
- A 5½" round barrel with a 1/10" round blade front sight.
-
S&W D.A. 45 stamped on the barrel's right side.
- A one-line "
Made in USA" on the right side of the frame, but lacking the later address for S&W.
- Military frames lack the S&W trademark logo
- Lanyard ring in the butt (or a factory hole for mounting one)
- US Army guns will have
U.S. Army Model 1917 stamped on the butt in 4 lines.
- US Army guns have
UNITED STATES PROPERTY stamped on the barrel flat underneath the barrel.
- U.S. Ordinance "Flaming Bomb" stamped on left receiver near the hammer. Early guns may have "GHS" in a circular stamp here.
- Various inspector marks w/eagle-head stamp combined with a letter-number combination (S1, S2, S9, S24)
He could also have the later
Model of 1950 which looks similar but is a commercial version. These were in the serial range of S85000 to S236000. A four-line address on the right of the frame above the trigger guard; large S&W logo on the sideplate; New Hammer design for the "short throw" action - compared to earlier models, the hammer spur is not parallel to the top strap and is preceded by a deep cut or notch in the hammer shape (modern hammer shape).