I have a M1917 .45 DA with the Brazillian crest. The frame has been datet to 1918 but the cylinder is ser. # 2082xx. The gun has no US Army markings. Can anyone tell me what year the cylinder is from. As I understand the Brazil models were contracted for in 1937 (that date is in the crest) but how do I have a much earlier frame with a cylinder which must be much later?? It has impport markings under the grip, frame and bbl. match, it is that grayish color, Parkarizing ??

I have 3 Brazilians, 2 of them have mismatched cylinders. I believe that the armorers there just salvaged parts. Probably messed up more frames and barrels than cylinders. Both of my mismatches work fine. I wouldn't worry about it. I believe all the 1917 and Brazilian cylinders were heat treated. Unless you have one that is in pristine condition, which would be pretty rare, collector types have no interest in them. They do make fine shooters and project guns. One of mine is going to become a 3" with a round butt and have a spare 45 colt cylinder fitted.

Welcome to the Forum.

What is the number on the butt? S&W sold 1917 Brazilians in two lots; the first ones were built in 1937-38 and had square notch rear sights. The second lot was in 1946 and used WW I era frames. These had the dimple rear sight notch.

__________________
John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

Stories I have heard were that lots of them were rebuilt and the Brazilians paid no attention to what parts fit which gun. Another story was when shipped back to the U.S. the guns were tossed into barrels and allowed to beat against each other during shipment. From the condition of a lot of them I have seen, I believe that.

__________________
H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

Welcome to the forums from the Wiregrass! As to the Finish, originally the guns were blued and had commercial grips. If your gun has a grayish finish to almost black, it sounds like parkerized but would have been done by the Brazilians I presume.

Guy

__________________
Guy
SWHF #474 SWCA LM#2629

I can substantiate the latter. My 1937 shipment Brazilian (my one and only N frame) looks like it was tossed into a sack with a handful of very sharp gravel and given a couple of good shakes. The bluing is probably 95% and looks really good in photos, but it’s covered with tiny little scratches. I’m fortunate in that all the major components on mine have matching numbers. Good shootin’,
Doug

Although my Brazilian model is all matching numbers and dates to the first shipment with a 188xxx number, it shares the import marks with yours. I have to assume it fit into the category of neglected, poorly shipped specimens. A previous owner did a very nice job of removing as much of the visible gouging, pitting, etc. and in the process removed some of the crispness of the roll marks. Under the stocks there were a few serious pits that remain, but otherwise it was cleaned up nicely. Bore and mechanicals are very good. It was my first .45acp chambered revolver and started me off into collecting a few others, all of which are some of the most comfortable large caliber handguns I have ever shot, accuracy is excellent. Enjoy shooting that fine old piece...I've seen more than a few that look like a hundred or so of them were thrown into a concrete mixer with a shovel full of gravel for good measure and run for an hour or so. The best explanation for how they turned out that way was given to me by a good friend. According to him, when the Brazilians were done with them they were sold to an exporter, they were in all probability thrown into a packing crate (wooden barrel) or can the size of the small twenty five gallon grease can, maybe with a liberal coating of grease, maybe not and then manhandled onto a boat and quite literally rolled down loading ramps into the hold, rolled out upon landing in the U.S. to the importer, who then sorted them out and moved them on their way.

I have a 1917DA45 from Brazil. Does anyone have a schematic or copy of a manual for this gun? Last time I fired it, it suddenly developed a problem where the hammer would not go all the way back and stay. Appreciate any help.

Make sure the main spring tension screw is tight. Thats the one in front, low down on the grip frame. If that don't fix it,remove the grips, put it a can pan with a 50/50 mixture of automatic transmission fluid and kerosene (available at hardware stores) let it sit for 2 days or so. Then, get a can of carb or brake cleaner and using the tube that fits the spry nozzle spray it in the openings by hammer while cock and uncocking, Same thing by the trigger. With cylinder open spray some in the little slot in recoil shield. Wait a few minutes and then repeat.

If that doesn't do it, let us know. If your not mechanically inclined it might nee a good gunsmith. But, if it is old hardened sludge the cleaner should get it. A loose tension screw can cause top part of mainspring and internal part of hammer to bind each other. If neither of those probably a damaged part on trigger or hammer.

Here is an N frame schematic
25-2 (N Frame) Schematic | Numrich

There a vids on U tube about assy

Good book is
The S&W REVOLVER - A SHOP MANUAL - Jerry Kuhnhausen

But, if the screw is tight and cleaning doesn't work. watch some vids, get some hollow ground screw drivers and I will try to help. Pictures can help

thank you for the information. I will check that out. If necessary, I will take it to a gunsmith for repair, after I watch the videos and look at the shop manual.

It maybe that the little ledge on the hammer isn't right or the edge of tthe trigger wear the trigger catches and releases ther hammer. Sometimes repaiable with a small fine stone if you really know what your doing, Usually means a new trigger or hammer or both.

You can find the US Basic Field Manual on line and download the PDF for free. Just search for FM 23-36. Note this manual covers both the M1917 Revolvers (S&W and Colt).

Here is a link to one site. There are others.
FM 23-36 Revolver, Colt, Caliber .45, M1917 and Revolver, Smith and Wesson, Caliber .45, M1917 1941 : United States. War Department : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

__________________
You're shy a few manners.

Welcome to the forum you have come to a good place to learn about your firearm but beware S& W collecting is addictive and we are just a bunch of enablers .

Thank you very much. I downloaded the army manual for the 1917 DA, and it is proving to be very helpful.

I downloaded the army manual and it is proving very helpful.
Thanks again.