I picked up a Smith model of 1917 in .45 acp over the weekend. In addition to the serial number stamped under the barrel is an S and a diamond. I read over on the Smith forum that the S indicated it had been back to the service department and that the diamond indicated a part had been replaced. I couldn't find reference to that anywhere else however and was hoping someone here would know. I'm pretty sure it's been refinished, maybe by the factory as there is a date, 11/51 stamped under the left grip panel. The pictures aren't very good, but here are a few anyway.

You were told correctly. It does look like a factory refinish. Also, the S diamond is a 50s era marking. The diamond on the barrel means the barrel was replaced. The R-S in a box on the frame indicates "Refinish Standard" which means it was factory refinished to the standard finish, which is blued. R-N means it was factory renickeled.

Hard to tell, but the 6 76 on the frame might also indicate it was returned to the factory for work in June 1976. Could also be an assembly number, but I'd have to have the gun in hand to give a better guess.

Love those smooth walnut magnas.

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Thanks for that information. There is a S&W logo on the right of the frame. Do you think that is original, or could it have been added at the time of the refinish?

Most likely the sideplate was also replaced during the '50s rebuild. I think the Prewar guns had the logo on the left side of the frame, off the top of my head.

I don't think the original 1917s had a logo on either side. My 1917-made gun (s/n 20XXX) hs NO markings on the frame except the GHD inspectors stamp on the upper left corner. That's likely a commercial sideplate fitted during a later rebuild.

Love those old Smiths.