these guns are selling for well over $1,000 each from what I read

I'll look forward to seeing more detailed pictures. I like the Colt based on what I see so far. I think you'll find that it has some interesting features. Hint, possibly a patent date variation.

Colt 1917 serial number 50150 was shipped to the Commanding Officer, Springfield Armory on April 8, 1918 as part of a group of 2300 revolvers.

The Colt's went up to butt serial number 154800, so if I am looking at the pictures correctly, at 50150 this one would be about a third of the way into production. That fits the timeframe of the JMG inspection stamp as well.

Cool Cass. I may have the pictures mixed up. After Easter Celebrations today. I'll try and take better pictures and post them separately.

The JMG stamp was pre-Eagle/S20, correct? That’s what I was was thinking when I posted his Colt was likely an earlier production. I may be way off though..

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The number on the butt of the Colt is a Service Number, not a Serial Number. Completely different things.

JGW

I may have mixed up the pics, etc.

Colt put a “Service Number” on the butt.

Colt Serial Numbers ran from about 149,000 - 305,000. Colt Service Numbers ran from 1 - about 155,000.

S&W Serial Numbers on US Gov revolvers ran from 1 to about 170,000. The serial number was on the butt (and other places).

JGW

just got home from Easter Celebrations.

I'll get detailed pics including the numbers mentioned above by misfire and JGW

Correct, the first inspection stamps were the monogram type, GHS (about the first 20,000 made) and then JMG on the next 45,000 or so. Then they went to the eagles head over inspector number. I have seen S19 and S20 I've have also heard of S15 and S18.

I agree, it's confusing terminology. The military did refer to the number on the butt as a "serial number" though, they didn't care about Colt's number. I think it was just Colt that referred to it as a "service number" (and collectors), ha!

To avoid confusion I usually just say "butt" number. Clawson refers to the butt numbers as "Military Serial Numbers".

what areas should i key in on>?

ill do one thread on the Colt, one on the S&W

For the Colt try to capture the "brushstroke" finish. They were not polished before finishing, so the milling marks run in directions like brush strokes.

Good shots of all the markings to capture the variations: Patent numbers, etc. on top of the barrel, property marking on bottom of barrel, proof marks, inspection stamp.

Look under the ejector plate for any markings. Also check for penciled numbers on the inside of the stocks/grips.

on it

These are ALL COLT. Its amazing this gun is so old. I think I have all numbers and markings. The grips match the cylinder and the frame serial numbers. I can see what might be the milling marks

More COLT

Cylinder back looks like II or 11, Or 2 Roman Numeral 1's

More COLT

SMITH & WESSON M1917

Looks like this one matches up perfectly too looks like S 9700 on the cylinder crane and 17072 back of cylinder and under grip panel

More S&W

Correction to an earlier reply of mine: Contrary to one of my prior posts (where I think the pics may have been mixed up), the S&W hammer is correct for the serial number.

JGW

Excellent pictures! You captured the brushstroke milling work and the inspection stamps after finish very well. I'm glad to see the grips are original too. I like both of the revolvers.

The negatives I see on the Colt are the heavier wear on the back strap and the finish loss on the front of the barrel, probably stored in a holster at one time.

I would like to see pictures from the top, to see the legend and patent numbers on top of the barrels.

Cass

I agree Cass, if I was to keep one it would be the S&W.

The Colt is more "robust" . Finish on the Smith& Wesson is nicer.

I dont think I saw anything on the bottom of the barrels, but, I'll re-check and post if I see something

S&W continued to polish and finish its M1917s to the same standard as its commercial revolvers. Colt didn’t. Both Colt and S&W are equally desirable as a collector piece, all other things being equal: (1) S&W models are prettier, but (2) the Colt has the “prancing pony”.

I wonder which is generally more valuable if condition is the same?

JGW

$1700 each, starting point? I have no idea.

But with a light, coated, SWC load, these would be a BLAST to shoot.

as cylinders and bore are bright and shiny

Buzz, have you looked at GB Completed Auctions? That's the first place I would look to start trying to establish value. That of course is a national marketplace, and an auction site to boot, so I would generally expect somewhat higher final sales prices on GB than what you will receive through a regional forum like THF, TGT, etc. While "collector" grade martial firearms certainly sell on THF, the focus of this forum is hunting, not collector grade martial firearms. Another place to look is completed auctions at Rock Island Auctions. Of course, try to compare like condition to like condition a much as possible.

I would be very surprised if you got traction selling these at $1,700, unless (possibly) it is on a national auction site like GB, or possibly on Guns International which is a listing service, not auction, but which tends to attract a different potential buyer (collector oriented) than GB (which is full range of buyers of course).

I haven't studied the market on these revolvers in a long time. My somewhat (but only somewhat) educated guess is for a straight up listing like on GI, you would sell around $1,200 +/-. Cass may well have a better feel for the market on these (he schooled me a little in an earlier post, above!).

If they were mine and I was selling, I would first list on GI, and let that run for a month or so, lowering price $100 every 7-10 days. Then, once you hit a certain price floor ($1,200 +/- would be mine I think), then pull the add and post to GB and hope for a couple of collectors to have a bidding war. Or, consign to Rock Island. If they are particularly good examples of these, Rock Island will likely sell for the most money (but it will be in a few months, and you are going to pay the 20% seller's commission to the auction house).

Just my .02. They sure seem to be nice examples of these two revolvers and would look dandy on display in my gun room!

JGW

Great advise JGW thank you