looking for some info; S&W DA/45 1917

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Ralph Colwell

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Merry Christmas all CGN'ers;

My dad let me peek at an old safe queen he's been hiding for some time. It's a very old US ARMY S&W double action 45 revolver, made in 1917. What makes it interesting is the stamp on the base of the grip.
It reads: No.18 / 622
The serial number is very low.

I've done some google searches and curious if any CGN'ers had some more knowledge on this revolver.

Thanks for your help.
Ralph
 
This model was manufactured from Sept.1917 to 1946. It was introduced as a military handgun for the US Army from the begining to Jan 1919. It was keep in production as a commercial model. In 1937, 25 Thousand were ordered from Brazil, these are known as Brazilian model and wear a crest of brazil on the right side of the frame.

If yours is a US property one, you should find this info under the barrell. Barrel right side is Inscript S&W DA .45. Frame is stamped US. ARMY MODEL 1917. Usually, a flaming bomb mark is found on the left side of the frame in front of the hammer. Serial # of the military start at 1 to 169959 approx. The grips are wood , non-checkered and the finish is lighter shade than commercial one

Saw nothing in my reference to the number on the grips, I think they are military serial #

These are collectable, and a very good one to exc+ can go for $700. TO 1000.00.

you can go on www.smith&wessonforum.com for more info. For a comparaison on price value, try www.collectorsfirearms.com. I know it is a US vendor. But the pics will give you a way to compare your one.

Hope this will help

Yves
 
Thanks Yves for the reply. I've found a couple things interesting. First, the serial number is numbered nine thousand and some; out of one hundred and seventy thousand manufactured WOW, this one is one of the early birds. As for the flaming bomb on the left side, my dads has a small circular stamp which says "GHI". Unknown to what that exactly that is. Still doing more reshurch. Interesting to note it has 3 pat. dates on it.

A neat piece of history that I had no idea he had. Dads eh! God bless them!

:)
Cheers.
 
In the S&W standard cataog 3rd edition, they say that from #1 to 42,000 , you will see the letter GHS in a ovale, that's the inspector signature. In this case it was Major Gilbert H Stewart. Are you sure the lettering is GHI, that can be possible, possibly another inspector stamping of approval.

Al firearms priors to go to the battlefield had to be approved by the armory.At this time , they were given the serial # of the US Army,

I think you had in your hand a nice piece of history. If you want to know the real origin of this particular one, you can send all the info to Smith&Wesson, and their historian will do a search. His name hs Roy Jinks

Yves
 
Thank you Yves for your help. I made a spelling booboo, you are right the small stamp says GHS in an oval shape. My dad is really interested to learn more about this hand gun. So all the info you gave has been greatly appreciated. Thanks again my friend!

:)

Ralph Colwell
 
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