1918 Navy...

[Big Norm]

Leo,
I believe you when you say that this is not a hodgepodge of surplus parts from someones basement. Maybe a hodgepodge of parts from the factory bins but not from someones basement. When Pete said that he saw the telltale halos around various markings, I then believed that there was a certain amount of legitimacy to your gun. The small flange on the hinge pin convinced me that it is not a 1918 though.

I also have what I call a 1920 Weimar Era commercial navy and it also has the small flange on the hinge pin. Mine does not have a chamber date but does have the upright crown 'N'. Four digit serial number but no military markings. No date on either the front sight or on the side rail. I sometimes wondered if I should call it a commercial model 1914 navy or a 1920 Weimar navy. The small flanged hinge pin and the bluing told me which way to go.

I think that if you took your navy out in the sunlight and compared the bluing to a comparatively blued authentic navy with original bluing, you will find that your bluing is more black while the authentic navy bluing will be more blue/black. Its possible, but tough, to see the difference under normal gun show lighting conditions but in sunlight the difference stands out.
Big Norm