COLT 1917 Need information about THIRD Serial Number

I have a Colt 1917 with three sets of serial numbers.
The Colt SN is on the frame inside the crane, on the crane itself and inside the side plate.
The U.S. Army No. is on the bottom the grip frame.
There is also a third, four digit number under the barrel by the "UNITED STATES PROPERTY", on the frame and crane adjacent to the Colt serial number AND, on the cylinder UNDER the extractor.

I have found a reference to an overhaul or refurb number that may have been applied during service or repair and the images showed a number with an identical number "1" to mine.

Does anyone have any information regarding this third number?
Also this revolver has an Ordnance stamp on the upper right side of the frame. Was this common and does it have any particular significance?

GS38

Attachment 111924Attachment 111923Attachment 111921Attachment 111922Attachment 111919Attachment 111920Attachment 111925Attachment 111926Attachment 111927

I do not believe the number on the butt is original.
Wartime or no, these Colts has better quality control than stamp the numbers all misaligned like that.

If memory serves, the numbers you're referring to are assembly numbers. You'll find them on the fitted original component parts. It's not a serial number.

BD,

Thanks for the reply. I don't recall ever seeing a number stamped along side the "UNITED STATES PROPERTY" stamp under the barrel. Have you? And haven't ever noticed that tiny Ordnance stamp before, either.

GS38

217,337 is the sequential Colt New Service serial number (S&W used assembly numbers)
68,462 is the US Army inventory Number (looks original to me)
1346 is post-production. Most likely at refurbishment/re-inspection

Post-WWI Rebuild/Refinish

The technical term for 'rebuild' is Arsenal Overhaul, but very few collectors use this term. So for ease of reading and deferring to common collector jargon, 'rebuild' will be used.

Following WWI, thousands of M1917s (S&W and Colt) were returned to Springfield Armory. Some were simply polished and refinished, retaining original parts. Others were fitted with new replacement and/or refurbished parts. In most cases, no outwardly visible markings were used to indicate rebuild.

For purposes of maintaining hand fitted part assembly, Springfield stamped numbers up to five digits and sometimes accompanied by an R or S, in up to six places, and with a larger font than original serial or soft assembly numbers as follows:

- Underside rear barrel flat
- Inside yoke arm
- In yoke cut
- Rear of cylinder under ejector star
- On hammer and trigger under sideplate
- On internal ejector rod

The Springfield rebuilds were sometimes polished, eliminating or diminishing inspection and acceptance marks on left frame, and softening of sharp edges and/or sideplate fitting. Domed pin and bolt heads exhibit flattening. A dark blue to near black finish was applied to all parts, including the hammer and trigger.

Would like to see full pictures.

martin08,

THANK YOU for your post and information.
Here are additional images.

GS38

Your Colt would originally have been "Brushed Blue" finish, with well defined wheel marks and a deep luster hue. While your gun still shows some of the brushed pattern, it is subdued from light buffing, and the metal finish is rather flat black. I would say that the barrel received the most buffing attention, as some of the stamps are rather diminished, and the directional striations around the front sight are all but gone.

The sideplate also had some more aggressive attention, as the Rampant Colt is all but gone.

My guess is that the ordnance wheel on the right side was not added until inspection or acceptance for WWII service.

My best evaluation would say that yours is a Springfield Armory arsenal overhaul, from circa 1920. And it did not get a wholesale rebuild. Parts look like they are original. Just touched up, and nicely done.

Here is late 1918 build, just a month before the Armistice. It didn't see much, if any action. And is a good example of the brushed blue finish for comparison to yours.

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...Ii0Qkpml-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...fMRhIA9l-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...Coq1wv4l-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...DbELZeUl-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...K1nIjJ5l-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...og5oJCdl-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...g3caBL5l-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...6KiArMQl-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...IQewORgl-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...lxbMH98l-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...5MmdA7Fl-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...NUcDncLl-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...zO43aQAl-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...mxC60vbl-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...ojOxp3Il-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...kGTnkVhl-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...IPg01i4l-1.jpg

martin08,

Thank you very much for your evaluation and explanations.
Regarding the date of manufacture, I could only narrow it down to 1918-1919 from online sources. I notice your October 1918 example has a serial number that is apparently after mine.
Do you have any sources that could provide a more accurate date of manufacture for 217337 other than a Colt letter?

Thanks again,
GS38

At the Colt forums there is a long running topic where you can post your military number and get a month and year of manufacture or acceptance for the Colt 1917 revolvers

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Originally Posted by Havenot

At the Colt forums there is a long running topic where you can post your military number and get a month and year of manufacture or acceptance for the Colt 1917 revolvers

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That is where the best information is available, for sure. Here is a link to the epic topic. Member, Haggis, has unfortunately passed away. But you will likely find a serial number which is "close enough", and you will be able to accurately date your pistol.

https://www.coltforum.com/threads/co...numbers.34787/

martin08,

Once again, Thanks for your information. The ColtForum topic was a wealth of information. I have narrowed the date down to 2nd Qtr. 1918, probably early May.
My aim was to try and provide as much information as I could when I post the pistol for sale. Between arthritic thumbs and a robust hammer spring, I cannot cock the hammer single handed.
Time to begin thinning the herd anyway and let someone else enjoy this one.

Regards,
GS38

P.S. Your October 1918 is absolutely gorgeous! Congratulation on acquiring that one. My S&W M1917 is similar. Except it isn't a Colt....

My GBB just updated and this year there offering SO much more of information. I'm kinda Happy because as long as I been a Member I'm finally seeing it change especially since the price keeps getting Higher. I have chosen this Serialization, but if I'm off I can gladly go back and find more of everything about your Colt. I attached a small portion for you to see if you need more specific years let me know..

Attachment 112147

Quote:

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Originally Posted by gsthreeeight

martin08,

Once again, Thanks for your information. The ColtForum topic was a wealth of information. I have narrowed the date down to 2nd Qtr. 1918, probably early May.
My aim was to try and provide as much information as I could when I post the pistol for sale. Between arthritic thumbs and a robust hammer spring, I cannot cock the hammer single handed.
Time to begin thinning the herd anyway and let someone else enjoy this one.

Regards,
GS38

P.S. Your October 1918 is absolutely gorgeous! Congratulation on acquiring that one. My S&W M1917 is similar. Except it isn't a Colt....

---

My GBB just updated and this year there offering SO much more of information. I'm kinda Happy because as long as I been a Member I'm finally seeing it change especially since the price keeps getting Higher. I have chosen this Serialization, but if I'm off I can gladly go back and find more of everything about your Colt. I attached a small portion for you to see if you need more specific years let me know. Here's the 2 I have in my Honeypot.Attachment 112148https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...ae121373-1.jpghttps://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...f0b27ec8-1.jpg

Quote:

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Originally Posted by gsthreeeight

martin08,

Once again, Thanks for your information. The ColtForum topic was a wealth of information. I have narrowed the date down to 2nd Qtr. 1918, probably early May.
My aim was to try and provide as much information as I could when I post the pistol for sale. Between arthritic thumbs and a robust hammer spring, I cannot cock the hammer single handed.
Time to begin thinning the herd anyway and let someone else enjoy this one.

Regards,
GS38

P.S. Your October 1918 is absolutely gorgeous! Congratulation on acquiring that one. My S&W M1917 is similar. Except it isn't a Colt....

---

My GBB just updated and this year there offering SO much more of information. I'm kinda Happy because as long as I been a Member I'm finally seeing it change especially since the price keeps getting Higher. I have chosen this Serialization, but if I'm off I can gladly go back and find more of everything about your Colt. I attached a small portion for you to see if you need more specific years let me know. Here's the 2 I have in my Honeypot.Attachment 112148https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...ae121373-1.jpghttps://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...f0b27ec8-1.jpg


Attachment 112152

Quote:

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Originally Posted by imntxs554

My GBB just updated and this year there offering SO much more of information. I'm kinda Happy because as long as I been a Member I'm finally seeing it change especially since the price keeps getting Higher. I have chosen this Serialization, but if I'm off I can gladly go back and find more of everything about your Colt. I attached a small portion for you to see if you need more specific years let me know. Here's the 2 I have in my Honeypot.Attachment 112148https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...ae121373-1.jpghttps://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...f0b27ec8-1.jpg


Attachment 112152

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Here is a Great Start to check All your Markings. If for some reason You want me to start at a certain place let me know.Attachment 112153

If you want a Direct Link to All it's Markings and other details send me a email and I can give you direct access to them.

Nice looking old pistols Frank...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by browningautorifle

Nice looking old pistols Frank...

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Thank You Jim...I think you seen them before when I posted them on the Site. Every time I go into the Safe I just look at them and wonder. I will be having lots of time coming up when I start my 2nd round of Treatments and thought this would take my mind off of what's coming up again.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by imntxs554

my 2nd round of Treatments

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Good luck on that...

Have a Colt but can’t find out much info about it’s history. Looks cherry, finish is perfect, barrel looks unfired.Attachment 120608Attachment 120609Attachment 120610Attachment 120611Attachment 120608Attachment 120609Attachment 120610Attachment 120611

It's been reblued by someone along the way. Probably carried lots and not fired much so had a worn finish. Perfect candidate for reblueing.

That's a beauty. I would have snapped it up in a heartbeat. Use it and enjoy it that's what it was built for. Love those '17's! Congratulations