DA-45 age ???

steveh1032 · October 7, 2014, 07:05 PM

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

Bob Wright · October 7, 2014, 07:30 PM

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

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

Bob Wright

James K · October 7, 2014, 08:41 PM

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

steveh1032 · October 8, 2014, 07:36 AM

Sorry for the lack of info.
It's a S&W
IMG_0041.jpg

Jim Watson · October 8, 2014, 09:12 AM

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.

steveh1032 · October 8, 2014, 12:54 PM

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.

Bob Wright · October 8, 2014, 04:52 PM

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

Jim Watson · October 8, 2014, 05:01 PM

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.

James K · October 8, 2014, 09:47 PM

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

SaxonPig · October 9, 2014, 07:41 AM

I can't say for certain but my impression is that it's been refinished and the stampings polished off.

Jim Watson · October 9, 2014, 07:44 AM

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.

steveh1032 · October 9, 2014, 07:24 PM

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.

steveh1032 · October 10, 2014, 01:38 PM

Here are some additional photos
a.jpg

b.jpg

c.jpg

steveh1032 · October 10, 2014, 01:40 PM

Here are a few more.
d.jpg

e.jpg

f.jpg

Jim Watson · October 10, 2014, 03:04 PM

"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.

steveh1032 · October 10, 2014, 07:58 PM

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?

Dfariswheel · October 10, 2014, 08:03 PM

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.

James K · October 10, 2014, 08:45 PM

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

steveh1032 · October 11, 2014, 05:46 AM

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 ?

October 7, 2014, 07:05 PM	#1
steveh1032 Junior Member Join Date: October 7, 2014 Posts: 8	DA-45 age ??? 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

October 7, 2014, 07:30 PM	#2
Bob Wright Senior Member Join Date: July 10, 2012 Location: Memphis, Tennessee Posts: 2,989	Uh....... You might start with giving the make, model and particulars, even better, photos. Colt? Smith & Wesson? Webley? Details like that help. Bob Wright __________________ Time spent at the reloading bench is an investment in contentment.

October 8, 2014, 07:36 AM	#4
steveh1032 Junior Member Join Date: October 7, 2014 Posts: 8	More Details Sorry for the lack of info. It's a S&W IMG_0041.jpg

October 8, 2014, 12:54 PM	#6
steveh1032 Junior Member Join Date: October 7, 2014 Posts: 8	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.

October 8, 2014, 04:52 PM	#7
Bob Wright Senior Member Join Date: July 10, 2012 Location: Memphis, Tennessee Posts: 2,989	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 __________________ Time spent at the reloading bench is an investment in contentment.

October 7, 2014, 08:41 PM	#3
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	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

October 8, 2014, 09:12 AM	#5
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,543	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.

October 8, 2014, 05:01 PM	#8
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,543	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.

October 8, 2014, 09:47 PM	#9
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	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

October 9, 2014, 07:41 AM	#10
SaxonPig Senior Member Join Date: April 24, 2006 Posts: 1,900	I can't say for certain but my impression is that it's been refinished and the stampings polished off.

October 9, 2014, 07:44 AM	#11
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,543	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.

October 9, 2014, 07:24 PM	#12
steveh1032 Junior Member Join Date: October 7, 2014 Posts: 8	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.

October 10, 2014, 01:38 PM	#13
steveh1032 Junior Member Join Date: October 7, 2014 Posts: 8	New Photos Here are some additional photos a.jpg b.jpg c.jpg

October 10, 2014, 01:40 PM	#14
steveh1032 Junior Member Join Date: October 7, 2014 Posts: 8	More Photos Here are a few more. d.jpg e.jpg f.jpg

October 10, 2014, 03:04 PM	#15
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,543	"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.

October 10, 2014, 07:58 PM	#16
steveh1032 Junior Member Join Date: October 7, 2014 Posts: 8	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?

October 10, 2014, 08:03 PM	#17
Dfariswheel Senior Member Join Date: May 4, 2001 Posts: 7,478	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.

October 10, 2014, 08:45 PM	#18
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	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

October 11, 2014, 05:46 AM	#19
steveh1032 Junior Member Join Date: October 7, 2014 Posts: 8	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 ?