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04-20-2015, 01:39 PM
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MDL1917 45ACP BRAZILIAN CONTRACT
Been looking for something along these lines for some time- a good forum member offered this little sweetheart up FS and I took a chance-- NO, it isn't a collertors item and I wasn't looking for one- I could not be happier with this nice used gun. Stocks didn't match, and I did not expect them to- however since that was the case, and they are a bit thin for me anyway I thought I would try a pair of Walrus Ivories on it that seem not to sell because they have a bit of character to them. Being a bit fuller than factory stocks, they fit me just fine. Been years since I shot a fixed sight revolver, but the way this baby shoots it will be with me for quite some time to come, or at least as long as I am around-- Just have to decide whether or not to inlay the pre war medallions or leave the stocks the way they are.
MDL of 1917 45 ACP:
A FAIR TARGET-
Last edited by J. R. WEEMS; 04-20-2015 at 01:42 PM.
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arjay, Bent-Twig, bgrafsr, bigsteve113, CWH44300, damienph, deltazulu334, Frank46, g8rb8, Hdhic, Hondo44, Jack Flash, JimC, kamloops67, Memphis, Modified, mrrick, Muley Gil, Old Corp, Papaw, tops |
04-20-2015, 01:42 PM
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Seem not to sell? Those are glorious. Ivory isn't as fun without character. I love those.
Nice gun, 1917s are something I have ended up with many of for metaphysical reasons I can't discern, but it doesn't matter I love them all.
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04-20-2015, 01:44 PM
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Just curious -- does it have the square notch rear sight or the round one? Also, if you don't mind, could you give us the serial number, xx out the last digits if you like.
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04-20-2015, 01:54 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jack Flash
Just curious -- does it have the square notch rear sight or the round one? Also, if you don't mind, could you give us the serial number, xx out the last digits if you like.
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SER# 188648 I have pegged it pre 1940 and second shipment??
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04-20-2015, 09:35 PM
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Per Roy Jinks, the First Group of Brazilians had serial numbers in the range 181,983 to 207,043 and were shipped February to October, 1938.
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04-20-2015, 09:43 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SixgunStrumpet
Seem not to sell? Those are glorious. Ivory isn't as fun without character. I love those.
Nice gun, 1917s are something I have ended up with many of for metaphysical reasons I can't discern, but it doesn't matter I love them all.
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Funny thing, I at one time had them on a 4"MDL 57 for display-- on the 1917, the screw was a bit short. Got a screw made this afternoon and all is well now -- Not sure it would matter, but wonder if I should post the Ser# on the stocks in case someone here has that gun???
Last edited by J. R. WEEMS; 04-20-2015 at 09:44 PM.
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04-21-2015, 04:00 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jack Flash
Just curious -- does it have the square notch rear sight or the round one? Also, if you don't mind, could you give us the serial number, xx out the last digits if you like.
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Most if not all of the 1st contract guns were flat top straps with sq notch rear. This one looks like it is as well.
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04-21-2015, 07:30 PM
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Thanks, Jim. I could not tell it was a square notch rear sight looking at it from the side (in the first picture), could you?
Later, when J.R. provided the s/n, I did think the square notch was probably a pretty safe bet.
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04-21-2015, 08:40 PM
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Nice find J.R. I really like that gun. I only missed it by a little when it went up for sale. But a miss is as good as a mile huh. Glad you got it. I'll find one some day as I need a nice Brazillian to fill that hole in my collection. That one looks original and not butchered. I'm assuming it has the patent info on the hammer and trigger. Also I love the service grips that came on those bad boys. I've got an early grooved hammer 1917, a post war transitional and a model marked 22. So, the hunt goes on for a good ole Brazillian. I know there are a few other .45 revo's but those are for another day.
Thanks for sharing the pics.
Roger
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04-21-2015, 09:54 PM
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I enjoy my Brazilian , I find mine to be equally accurate though not as pretty as yours
Mine is also a first shipment , as I understand it they were made from left over stock from the first war, that makes these guns over 100 years old and still comparable to modern pieces .amazing when you consider the advances in most other fields in the last century
If mine had a heavy barrel it would be perfect , as it is it's just amazing :-)
Enjoy your fine revolver
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04-21-2015, 10:07 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kamloops67
I enjoy my Brazilian , I find mine to be equally accurate though not as pretty as yours
Mine is also a first shipment , as I understand it they were made from left over stock from the first war, that makes these guns over 100 years old and still comparable to modern pieces .amazing when you consider the advances in most other fields in the last century
If mine had a heavy barrel it would be perfect , as it is it's just amazing :-)
Enjoy your fine revolver
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No, the FIRST shipment in the 1930s was all newly made revolvers. It was the second shipment, made after WW II, that was made up of surplus WW I 1917 frames.
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04-22-2015, 03:29 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jack Flash
Thanks, Jim. I could not tell it was a square notch rear sight looking at it from the side (in the first picture), could you?
Later, when J.R. provided the s/n, I did think the square notch was probably a pretty safe bet.
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Yes, the flat top strap side view is subtle but distinctive, if it has that, it also has the sq notch. Look at a round top from the same side view for comparison.
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04-22-2015, 04:00 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by J. R. WEEMS
Funny thing, I at one time had them on a 4"MDL 57 for display-- on the 1917, the screw was a bit short. Got a screw made this afternoon and all is well now -- Not sure it would matter, but wonder if I should post the Ser# on the stocks in case someone here has that gun???
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Yes, I would post it. Not often, but in this forum, on occasion, stocks have been reunited with the correct gun.
My dad always loved the Colt 45 ACP 1911 and 1926 model auto loaders, and 1917 Smith revolvers ever since he served in WW II. He found a pre model 22 with Smith Micro click adjustable sights installed. I found a 1917 gov't model with 5" barrel and pre war Smith adj sights installed. 5 years ago my son bought him a completely stock 1937 Brazilian shooter for $350 w/o grips, and cut the barrel to 4" with original front blade sight soldered back on, at my dad's request. I bought him a pre model 26 4" soon after.
One day not too long ago before he passed away, we took all four revolvers to the range with his favorite reload. we shot them all. I shot a cylinder full from each one for accuracy. They were all excellent but do you know which edged the others out for accuracy and best group, at least on that day, with those reloads, and in my hands?
Yep the old beat up, cut off, fixed sighted 1937 Brazilian! He just LOL that it beat the three target sighted guns, all bigger investments than the Brazilian.
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04-23-2015, 12:16 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hondo44
Most if not all of the 1st contract guns were flat top straps with sq notch rear. This one looks like it is as well.
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Jim, you are of course correct-- Do they all shoot so well or am I just lucky?? Dot on that target is nickel size-- any way, I couldn't be happier -- might get up to the gun show this weekend and pick up a few more clips. Stocks are put away but I will get them out and post the number here, just in case- although I have done that in the past with out much luck.
Last edited by J. R. WEEMS; 04-23-2015 at 12:18 AM.
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04-23-2015, 12:27 AM
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1917's are just kewl!
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04-23-2015, 12:32 AM
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Thanks for setting me straight Muley Gill !
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04-23-2015, 03:19 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bigsteve113
1917's are just kewl!
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They were a lot kewler when you could buy them through the NRA for $17.
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04-23-2015, 08:54 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by k22fan
They were a lot kewler when you could buy them through the NRA for $17.
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But we were all mere children back then of course!
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04-23-2015, 09:20 AM
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Very nice. My Brazilian can't hold a candle to yours in looks and condition, especially since mine somehow/somewhere got parkerized, but has always surprised me with how well it shoots.
In examining the bore, one would definitely describe it as 'frosty' and far from perfect, but yet it shoots hardball and hardcast far better than I can hold.
Congrats on getting a good one.
I so well recall, when I was a 'back pocket FFL holder' in the '80's, seeing them in Shotgun News constantly for $150, but it seemed no one really wanted them.
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04-23-2015, 02:01 PM
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Compared to Mr. Weems' my 1937 Brazilian looks down right holster worn. At least its stocks match, its timing and lock up are good, and its bore and chambers are excellent. I sure wish mine had the square notch sights.
Anyone remember what the set of four GI surplus guns the NRA offered in the late 1950s was? IIRC, which is doubtful, you could have a S&W 1917, a .30 caliber M1 carbine, a 1903A3 .30-06 or the fourth gun for $17 each or the set of four for $60. I hesitate to write the fourth was a .45 acp 1911A1 but it probably was. I used to shoot with a couple older men who bought the set of four. The .30-06 and S&W 1917 were the two of most interest to me in those days. Real men shot revolvers and .30-06s made deer lie down.
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04-23-2015, 04:18 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by k22fan
Compared to Mr. Weems' my 1937 Brazilian looks down right holster worn. At least its stocks match, its timing and lock up are good, and its bore and chambers are excellent. I sure wish mine had the square notch sights.
Anyone remember what the set of four GI surplus guns the NRA offered in the late 1950s was? IIRC, which is doubtful, you could have a S&W 1917, a .30 caliber M1 carbine, a 1903A3 .30-06 or the fourth gun for $17 each or the set of four for $60. I hesitate to write the fourth was a .45 acp 1911A1 but it probably was. I used to shoot with a couple older men who bought the set of four. The .30-06 and S&W 1917 were the two of most interest to me in those days. Real men shot revolvers and .30-06s made deer lie down.
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I bought all of those, but separately, not as a set. I have none left at present. I do remember the two M1903A3s I bought, both had the type C stock with a pistol grip, one had a 4-groove barrel, and one had a 6-groove barrel. I was happy, but I later sold them both. I had a friend who ordered one of the DCM M1903s, and what he received was an apparently unfired M1903A4 sniper rifle, complete with scope mount. He wasn't too happy, but he should have been. No idea what happened to it.
Last edited by DWalt; 04-23-2015 at 04:21 PM.
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