Yeah, I hear all of you "keep 'em both" guys, but that just doesn't always fly with an "accumulator" who likes to change direction and get new stuff all the time.

I currently have 2 DA 45 revolvers. One a US M1917 and one a Brazilian contract 1937 piece. Both are in similar condition finish-wise with an edge to the Brazilian. I hate to put numbers on guns, but I'd say maybe 65-70% on the M1917 and 75-80% on the Brazilian. Approaching 100 years old, they both show thinning of the blue and brown "patina" where it is missing and thin. Mechanically both are in very good condition.



M1917
No pitting, but thin blue with plenty missing and turning to smooth rust/patina. Number matching EXCEPT for the barrel. It has NO serial number and does not have the "US Property" line on it. Clearly a replacement barrel, possibly in service. Its condition generally matches the rest of the gun, but MAYBE a tad nicer. Very good bore with just a hint of roughness toward the forcing cone. Good lockup and timing. Overall, a decent "been there" representative and good shooter.

It is a tossup in my book. Possible edge to the Brazilian if it is matching and the two are mechanically equal.

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Randy
Provenance nerd

Sell the pair of them to fund a nicer condition example.

Or keep the US M1917. It may just be the pictures, but it certainly seems like the more attractive gun to me.

The Brazilian

More blueing left, but quite thin. Scattered nicks and scratched. MAY have been refinished a long time ago (before leaving Brazil or at the importer maybe), but the only reason I say this is that is appears that the trigger and possibly the hammer have been blued. They are dark, anyway, and don't appear to show any case colors. Brazilian crest is pretty strong. All numbers match. Bore is good or better--a little rough and showing some leading from my last shoot. Grips are of the M1917 variety rather than pre-war standard medallion stocks often on these. Serial number is in the 200xxx range--not sure if this is the 1st or 2nd contract (haven't looked it up). NO IMPORT STAMPS, so it has been here for a while.









So...one of these has to go. I collect US military weapons, so logically, the M1917 should stay. However, it is not really a great example and I'm sure to come across a better one another day. And it is worth more (probably) than the Brazilian, so would work better for sale fodder right now (I've bought several things lately and need to refill the coffers).

What say you??? Any and all comments are welcome.

Rob

I would vote to keep the M1917 or like someone said above...Sell Both and fill up the fund a little and buy another one you are looking for just a better example

Are the grips on either numbered to the gun? The 1917 is wearing the concave top grips, which are early.

If the Brazilian has a square notch rear sight, it is from the 1937 contract.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

Second try... my computer dumped the first response and I got to see your next post. As a fellow "accumulator" I would be torn on those two as well. At this point, I think I would shoot both and see which shoots better. Then I would put that one back for using and sell the other, then start looking for a good example that you really want. You might get lucky with finding a suitable replacement barrel for the 1917, but of course it would still be a replacement. With more modern military arms, that would not be so critical to the value, but these did have the serial numbers, so that makes a difference. I'd get on with a continued search and be ready to trade in whichever one you keep and the proceeds from the other to get the one that really makes you happy. JMHO, of course, and YMMV.

Froggie

+1for keeping the 1917.

Rob I agree with your logic. The 1917 would be the one to sell. Neither
are real collector quality and the 1917 is probably worth more. The
1937 is likely better to keep for a shooter.

I would dump both. Since you're a military collector, I'd look for a trade on the 1917 to upgrade it to an all original, better condition 1917.

Keep the Brazilian with it's improved sights as a shooter until you trade off the 1917 for an upgraded one, or sell the 1917 and upgrade it.

Then sell the Brazilian too.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

Post both of them here for sale, there are plenty of us looking for a shooter grade 45 revolver.

Thanks for the thoughts, folks. I think I will be selling the 1917 (first?). Now I have to decide what to ask for it, or put it on GB and let the buyers decide what it is worth!

Rob