I bought this Colt M1917 (made in 1919) in 2016. The "bolt" was worn, allowing the cylinder to coast past where it was supposed to stop. I finally found a new production replacement and had my gun smith (https://acgwllc.com/) install it. As always, Ryan did great work. I loaded those rounds in 2016 too and hopefully will get to test everything in the next few weeks.

While I was at the gun smith another customer came in to show Ryan some guns he'd picked up. First was a Webley-Fosbery semi-automatic revolver from the early 1900s. What a neat mechanism!! Next was a LeMat revolver from the 1860s. JEB Stuart carried one like it. Finally, although not an old gun, he showed us a custom 1911 Altamont "Dino". Heavily engraved with a dinosaur theme. Beautiful! You can google it to find photos.

Nice…I’ll be looking forward to your range report mate.

I've got a few oldies in my collection. No pistols tho to much hassle to own them here for me

My 'old' stuff is loaded from the front

44 Tingle (prospector)

I have some "ghost guns". These two shotguns have no serial numbers. They were made before it was required. That makes me a bad person, I know but it feels good to me.

I have a .22 Marlin M81 with no serial number. I agree. Feels good to be a bad guy.

I like a story with a happy ending. Good catch on the Colt 1917 revolver. I managed to locate a 1917 Smith & Wesson revolver some years ago in a favorite gun shop. An WWI veteran had passed and his family found the revolver in the bottom of his old footlocker.

Regarding serial numbers on firearms, there is a lot of misinformation out there. Prior to the adoption of the Gun Control Act of 1968, long arms (rifles and shotguns) did not require serial numbers. My local gun shop has processed many used firearms sales that did not have serial numbers. All the best...
Gil

OK, it took over 2 years but I finally made it to the range with the Colt M1917 revolver. My handloads, 200 grain cast SWC in .45 Auto Rim brass, shot fairly well (but I didn't). The first three shots, off hand at about 10 yards, made a 1 5/8ths inch group. Then I jerked the trigger on the next two. The ergonomics leave something to be desired. The grip is rather narrow, but it was fun to shoot. If I was going to shoot it seriously I'd change the grips but since it's a historical/ novelty plinker I'll keep it as is.

Well done! As we used to say, better late than never. All the best...
Gil