COLT 1917 Need information about THIRD Serial Number

[gsthreeeight]

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

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Information

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[rcathey]

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.

[Brian Dick]

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.

[gsthreeeight]

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

[martin08]

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

[martin08]

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.

[martin08]

Would like to see full pictures.

[gsthreeeight]

martin08,

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

GS38

[martin08]

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.

[gsthreeeight]

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