[scott45b]

Just found and liberated a Colt DA .45ACP Revolver from a local dealer. The serial number is 290XXX. It is fitted with target grips and appears to be about 85%. Paid $400.00. Any information regarding its age would be appreciated.

[dfariswheel]

Looks like a 1920 version.

Colt New Service numbers started that year with 260000, and ended that year around 314999.

[Old Fuff]

There may be more to this then first meets the eye. If this revolver is chambered in .45 ACP (not .45 Colt) and does not have any U.S. Property marks or evidence they have been removed from the butt and bottom of the barrel; it could be a commercial model 1917, of which only 1,000 were made. Military serial numbers ended at about 301,000. On the other hand it could be a far more common piece that was made in .45 Colt but had the cylinder replaced with one in .45ACP. Only way to know for sure is to get a historical letter from Colt, and they cost some bucks these days.

If it does have U.S. Military markings the true serial number is stamped on the frame under the barrel. To see it you have to first swing out the cylinder. In this case the number on the butt is a U.S. number, not the serial number.

[scott45b]

Thanks for the input. According to California law, I have to let the gun sit for 30 days before I can register it. After the 30 period I have a 10 day wait. I'll be back at the store this weekend and will attempt to photograph and get serial numbers on this firearm. This gun seems to have been used primarily for target practice along with its brothers and sisters still at the store.

[Gordon]

Never heard on anything but 10 day wait in Calif. to register and take posession of anything. In fact if you don't take possesion within 30 days from application you start over again!:confused:

[stans]

In fact if you don't take possesion within 30 days from application you start over again!

What a great concept in banning the purchase of guns!

[scott45b]

Gordon:

According to the folks at the store:

The revolvers and pistols in this current sale are part of a large consignment from an estate. The sales/registration process for these firearms is as follows: The purchaser pays the asking price, the gun is held for 30 days in order for the local LE to perform a search to ascertain if the firearm has been stolen or "used in a crime". After the 30 day hold, the gun can then be registered - and a background check performed resulting in another 10 day wait.

[Gordon]

I bought 20 pistols from estate sales since 2003 and never heard of this proceedure! It should be a normal pivate party transfer. Unless this is a police auction, AND evn then I've never seen ANYONE run gun #s unless individual asked, a lack of legitimate process that I thinks sucks as I want THAT done for EVERY gun I buy! BTW the FBI/ATF stollen list run is a less than 20min process!:confused:

[scott45b]

Gordon:

It sounds like you are terribly upset with the purchase rules I have been told that I must abide by in order to obtain this particular firearm. The intent of my original posting was not to discuss the rules or their galacitc implications but the excitement of obtaining the firearm itself.

[Gordon]

I could care less what rules YOU abide by.They ARE NOT Calif regulations however and I wanted to make that clear. I hope you get your Colt and enjoy it.:)

[scott45b]

Visited the Colt DA .45 ACP today. The underside of the barrel is stamped "United States Government". I was able to remove the target grips and the underside of the frame is stamped "Model 1917". The Colt insignia on the cylinder latch was hidden by the grip.

The barrel appears to be grungy but rifling seems intact.

[Old Fuff]

Well with that information we can go further.

The number stamped on the butt is the Army's service number. They started at No. 1 and went to something around 154,800 The Colt serial number is stamped on the frame under the barrel, and to be seen you have to first swing out the cylinder. These numbers range from 149,000 to 305,000. All U.S. model 1917's were delivered between Oct 24, 1917 to Feb. 19, 1919.

Between the World Wars thousands were sold as surplus and/or issued to federal law enforcement agencies, including the U.S. Post Office and the Border Patrol. at the begining of World War Two those that remained in military inventory were referbished and Parkerized. Most were then issued to various Military Police units.

I don't know if the number you gave (290,xxx) is the serial number or the service (butt) number, but since the grips were covering up the butt I will presume it's the serial number. That would indicate it was made sometime during 1918. When you get the service number on the butt I can be much more specific.

[scott45b]

Here is the latest information on the Colt DA revolver.

Under the barrel:
"United States Property"

On the frame under the barrel viewed with the cylinder open:
"209xxx" (last 3 digits omited by scott45b)

With the grips removed, on the flat of the butt:
"US Army Model 1917"
"No. 62003"

In the frame of the butt is a hole with a cross-pin.

Where can I find "stock" grips and a swivel for the lanyard?

[Old Fuff]

Scott:

That soon-to-be-yours model 1917 was shipped by Colt to the "Commanding Officer; Springfield Armory" as part of a 2,600 gun shipment on May 13, 1918. Springfield inventoried the guns into their records using the "service/serial number on the butt. The numbers on the guns in this particular shipment was 61,801 through 66,400. The war ended on November 11, 1918. I suspect your gun may have played some part in it.

Numrich/Gun Parts Corporation (www.gunpartscorp.com) have lanyard loops, and may have reproduction grips of the original pattern. The smooth wood kind are hard to find, as the commercial guns were fitted with black hard-rubber or checkered walnut stocks.