Lowest serial # on 1938 Brazilian contract 1917s?

dlh0 · #1 10-18-2017, 05:10 PM

I have a 1938 Brazilian contract gun, #79,100 that I've been curious about. Only USGI marking is a small eagle head stamp with 'SA' below it located on the frame just above the yoke hinge. S&W DA.45 on left side barrel, nothing on right side or bottom, othet than the ser# on the flat. Import stamped on grip frame under left panel. N.A. RDGFLD, for Navy Arms. Beautiful blued finish and nice condition, best I've seen on one of these. I suppose this would be one of those late contract guns that went in 1945/46?

Wiregrassguy · #2 10-18-2017, 05:32 PM

Can't help you on your question. But, I will say Welcome! to the forums from the Wiregrass!

Muley Gil · #3 10-18-2017, 07:56 PM

If your Brazilian 1917 has the "dimple" rear sight, yes was part of the 1946 contract.

Hondo44 · #4 10-18-2017, 08:27 PM

I agree, The '46 contract used the old war surplus frames S&W bought back from the military after the war. Yours should have smooth walnut stocks if they are still the originals (serial # matching the gun stamped on back of right stock).

Jack Flash · #5 10-18-2017, 08:53 PM

That is the lowest serial number I have ever heard of on a Brazilian. It would be nice to see pictures. Otherwise, could you give a description of the stocks (grips) and the rear sight?

The ones that were sent to Brazil in 1938 saw service in Italy in WWII. Thus many of them look like they have been through a war. The ones shipped in 1946 avoided that fate and not surprisingly, are often found in much better condition.

sureshotbob · #6 10-18-2017, 10:25 PM

I have one of the WWI guns that was shipped in 1946 .
It has the rounded frame top with the pinched rear sight no U.S. military marks at all ,smooth mismatched stocks but everything else matches serial #80478 .Imported by C.A.I. VT.

DCWilson · #7 10-19-2017, 11:42 AM

I have seen a reference to 67119 as a Brazilian. It was reportedly listed in a David Carroll catalog about 10 years ago, but I have not seen the listing myself. In general, any five-digit serial number on a Brazilian would be interesting and unexpected, but it would probably be the luck of the draw which leftover numbered frame that was built out with a Brazilian sideplate happened to have the lowest serial number. I suppose it is possible a few complete 1917s in inventory were given new sideplates and shipped as Brazilians.

I have no really good statistical grounds for making this assertion, but my scarcity-based impression is that the number of five-digit Brazilians could not be more than a few dozen.

dlh0 · #8 10-19-2017, 06:09 PM

Ok, I am going to post photos. Excuse the quality. I am using a very old 1 MP Sony Mavica. I know.....I'm cheap, but it still works. I'll do 5 at a time for several posts. A couple are washed out pretty bad, but I included them anyway.

dlh0 · #9 10-19-2017, 06:13 PM

Not sure if there is a way to put all photos in one post, or do this better, so excuse my ignorance.

dlh0 · #10 10-19-2017, 06:15 PM

This one and one more should do it.

dlh0 · #11 10-19-2017, 06:23 PM

From what I can tell, it is all matching. I missed one photo showing that the yoke numbers match the numbers on the frame. Bluing is strong with small scratches and wear spots, but not bad. The bore is very nice and crisp. I was able to remove most of the light surface rust on the exposed blue finish, but there was some pitting under the grips. It came in Pachmayers with no lanyard ring. I put these Thai repro grips on it. I may opt for a set of repro flat 1917 grips, but for now, it shoots well with the targets. I bought it 2 years ago at a local gun show for $400. I figured it was a good price for just about any N frame S&W. A shooting buddy of mine wanted it to bob the hammer and round the butt to make a combat pistol comp rig out of it. I said no.

Also, I see I failed to upload a photo showing the matching numbers on frame and yoke.

murphydog · #12 10-19-2017, 06:50 PM

It's a nice example of the post-war 1937. Notice the serial number format (font, orientation and size) are post-war style instead of the 1917 Army type.

Perhaps other owners will chime in with their Brazilian SNs, but I would not be surprised (as David mentioned above) if the surplus frame SNs were all over the map, so finding the earliest one would not be straightforward.

dlh0 · #13 10-19-2017, 07:17 PM

Thank you. All input is appreciated. I ran the serial number on Old Guns under the 1917 revolver listing and got a 1918 production date. I may go ahead and write Jinks for a letter, just for fun.

Kinman · #14 10-19-2017, 07:24 PM

Those are some of the prettiest roll marks I've seen on a Brazilian, I agree with you it would be a shame to mess with that one. If you haven't spent any range time with you would find that those grips should make it very pleasant to shoot. I put diamond magnas on mine and that way could keep the lanyard loop. If you want to go that route, lanyard loops are easily available on-line like ebay, twenty bucks and the pin is easily replaced with a split pin cut down to length. Shes a beauty, you can almost hear the song "The girl from Impanena" playing in the background.

DocB · #15 10-19-2017, 07:31 PM

Same as mine. 1918 SN. Likely 1946 ship to Brazil. Not that uncommon. A WWI gun. . .never shipped. Turned commercial in the 1920's. . .never sold. The 1937 Brazil guns went off without it. Very much a left over in 1946 and finally shipped to Brazil. Some times it takes a lot to sell a gun. Even 28 years.

dlh0 · #16 10-20-2017, 12:24 AM

That isn't a bad idea. And the look of DocB's is top notch. Time to start shopping some new wood.

dlh0 · #17 10-22-2017, 12:02 AM

Yep. Sure enough. It was a very comfortable range session with the targets. 230 grain ball printed right on at 15 yards. And that is a tune I had not thought of since the 60's. Nice walk down memory lane!