[dogface6]

And Bob Murphy's book is quite helpful, too.

 

[dogface6]

Yours looks to have already been cleaned up someplace down the line - the blue on WWI-era M1917s is flatter and purposely so, so as to be dull in the field, and for a faster production time because a fine commercial polishing wasn't needed.

The grips are commercial - military-issue grips don't feature the medallion and are oil-finished walnut.

Good, close-up photos taken in natural light will be quite helpful - take them of every marking that you can find.

 

[dogface6]

Interesting story - but that's all it is - a story, and if Colt had 'really' wanted it for 100 days, well, that just adds spice to the tale, because clear photos would be the answer to that request.

Sounds more like the seller just really wanted to sell that revolver.

It's been refinished and been given new grips in its past - a not-uncommon thing, since the wartime finish on Colts was nowhere near as attractive as the commercial-quality one that Smith & Wesson maintained on their Model 1917s throughout the war, and folks like shiny objects.

The Service Number is the one located on the butt - usually seen in two lines, in order to accommodate the butt swivel.