Quote:
Originally Posted by ACORN
Earlier this year I bought a Brazilian 1937. The finish is worn almost to the point of not being there. But the bore, chambers, and mechanics are all excellent. The major issue is the stocks mere mis-matched. One is checkered and has a gold colored medallion, the other is checkered with no medallion. There are both what you'd expect an 80 year old veteran to look like. Lots of character. I was lucky enough to buy a mate to the non medallion in similar condition and after a light cleaning they look like they've been together forever. Now I have an extra stock with a medallion. Does it have any value?
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Undoubtedly. I guarantee there's another opposite side out there in someone's 'woodpile'. But as you know they're just as incorrect as the medallionless stocks for either of the Brazilian issues.
Because of all the 455 N frames produced for the British, my estimate of the # of gold medallion stock pairs is 91,000. But you'll have to determine if your Brazilian is a '37 (checkered stocks with flat chromed medallions) or '46 issue (smooth stocks). See below:
BRAZILIAN CONTRACT 1917s (1937/1946)
In 1937 S&W made some 25,000 1917s for Brazil, most in serial range 181983-207043 with exceptions as usual that have serial #s far out of this range, using the late or post WW I produced flat top frame with sq notch rear sight, and these are stamped “MADE IN U.S.A.” on right frame side with the S&W trademark on left side of frame. They also have a Brazilian Crest on the side plate dated 1937. These first contract Brazilian 1917s had commercial checkered grips with flat chrome plated medallions. Many Brazilians can be found with the import mark of the importer that brought them back to the USA. One common importer stamp is "IA CO SAC CA" (International Arms Company, Sacramento, California) but stamps of other big importers of surplus arms can be observed as well.
The 2nd Brazilian contract run in 1946 of about 11,800, most using surplus WW I produced frames in the 166,000 – 175,150 range with exceptions as usual that have serial #s far out of this range, most with older style round top strap and small U notch rear sight. Some were the newer flat top frames generally in the 207,196 – 209,878 range, with a few round tops also reported in that range. These '46 contract guns had WW I surplus 1917 smooth grips. These are also stamped “MADE IN U.S.A.”. Serial #s read with barrel to the left like all post war hand ejectors.