My first military S&W - Brazilian M1917 .45ACP

[Mosin2-5]

I picked up something today that's been on my want-list for quite some time. I've wanted a military issued S&W 1917 in .45 auto for quite some time and came across this locally. It's a S&W 1917 (.45 hand-ejector, model of 1917) that was made by S&W and sent to Brazil for their military. They sent two batches, serial number block for the first batch is 181,983 - 207,043, and for the second batch it was 166,000-175150, and 207,196 - 209,878. After looking at the serial number of mine, it appears to be 98 off of the last gun known to have gone in the very first batch that was sent to Brazil. It does have some kind of rack/unit/inventory number (24185) on the back center of the frame which I think adds some to the cool factor this revolver has. I like that it has the contrast of well worn browned finish, all the way to deep dark shiny blue finish. The bore is perfect, the cylinders are pristine, minus one with some minor acid wear or something inside. The lockup and timing is also excellent. I pulled the grips off and found that they weren't numbered, but did see what looks to be an inconspicuous older import mark underneath the grips, which I appreciate where they put it. I like that even though it looks like it's been there and done that on the outside, the Brazilian crest is still nice and sharp. From what I can tell, everywhere it should have a serial number, it is all numbers matching. It isn't a US military M1917 revolver, but for me, it's close enough and will make for an excellent shooter. I'm planning on getting an S&W letter for it and also doing the deep dive in their archive in case they have something cool on this fun. What do you guys think? Do you think S&W might find something cool if they did a deep dive? I don't know if the rack/inventory number was done by S&W or done once in Brazil.

 

[StrawHat]

Nice revolver! I like the S&W ACP revolver and have a few of them.

One chamber in the cylinder appears to have some crud in in. Hopefully it scrapes out and is not deeply pitted. Even so, jacketed ammunition will still shoot well in it.

It is doubtful anything can be gleaned from spending the money to get a letter on that one except the actual shipping date. At one time a letter regarding the Model 1917 Brazilian revolver was posted and it was very basic. Perhaps someone has saved a copy and will post it.

Here is one of my Brazilians. Slightly modified for carry purposes.

Kevin

 

[Casual Smith Nut]

Hard not like an old 45 N frame with the long action hammer throw. The double action is usually buttery smooth. While the service grips are the correct style or could have the silver medallions on the tops, they don't do much for absorbing recoil. I prefer the shooting experience with magna grips which have higher shoulders to the top of the grip frame.

Here's mine with the smaller service grips.

 

[JH1951]

Welcome to the Forum. Congratulations on filling a slot on your want list. Those 1917's are a lot of fun at the range, and I also appreciate the workmanship that went in to making them. It seems that you have done your research on them..... now take it to the range and experience shooting it. There is a good amount of information in the Forum archives on the 1917, so enjoy getting lost there for a while.

 

[Muley Gil]

Welcome to the Forum.

If your revolver has a square notch rear sight, it will be from the first shipment of 1937 Brazilian 1917s.

 

[Green Frog]

I'm thinking it is what you see there and that S&W will have very little to add in a letter. If shooting it is your purpose, use the money a letter would cost you to buy pair of grips that will fill your hand better and buy ammo with the rest.

I know folks on this forum look disdainfully on refinishing any gun, but that one is a prime candidate for a careful cleaning and reblue. I've seen a couple of 1937s in similar condition be cleaned carefully and reblued (without heavy buffing) and make great additions to their owners' collections. I'd give that some serious consideration. The best example I've seen was one from a batch that came in back in the late '80s. I got it for my uncle who had it cleaned and polished lightly then blued. He finished it off with a set of modern magna grips and he now has a revolver that looks great and is a pleasure for him to shoot.

Froggie

 

[Inland7-45]

I am very interested in Brazilian history so when these guns started showing up here in the late 80's I grabbed one from Century Arms.

Mine is from the 1946 shipment. It has most of the original finish with some minor rust here and there. The grips are the pre war checkered walnut version with large medallions. The DA pull has that easy motion that S&W long actions are known for.

The side plate medallion on the Brazilian 1917 also appears on the receiver ring of Brazilian military Mausers.

The date on the crest, November 15 , 1889 commemorates the date that Emperor Dom Pedro II was removed. This abolished the monarchy and established Brazil as a republic. In Brazil this event is commemorated every November 15 th as Republic Day.

Brazil fought on the allied side during WWII and sent an expeditionary force of about 20,000 troops to fight in the Italian campaign. The Brazilian Air Force also saw service in Italy and flew ground support missions using P-47s. Before the war Brazil sourced most of it's small arms from Germany. After joining the allied war effort Brazil was equipped with the latest U.S. equipment. Photos of Brazilian troops in action show plenty of 1903-A3s , Garands , Carbines and M3 and Thompson SMGs.

While I have not seen any photos of the 1917s in action I would guess that some of them found there way to Italy.

In addition to the Brazilian 1917 I have US model and 2 Colts. These guns shoot great with cast bullets. I prefer using .45 Auto Rim cases in the 1917s with either a 200gr SWC or 225 gr RN using data from the Lyman Cast Manual.

Enjoy your 1917. It is a nice piece of history. It is fortunate that we were able to bring these back home.

 

[Mosin2-5]

Nice revolver! I like the S&W ACP revolver and have a few of them.

One chamber in the cylinder appears to have some crud in in. Hopefully it scrapes out and is not deeply pitted. Even so, jacketed ammunition will still shoot well in it.

It is doubtful anything can be gleaned from spending the money to get a letter on that one except the actual shipping date. At one time a letter regarding the Model 1917 Brazilian revolver was posted and it was very basic. Perhaps someone has saved a copy and will post it.

Here is one of my Brazilians. Slightly modified for carry purposes.

Kevin

Looks great! I'll take a look at that one cylinder, it's hard to tell if it's crud or if something slightly ate away some finish. I really like this revolver and I'm sure it will shoot wonderfully!

 

[Mosin2-5]

Hard not like an old 45 N frame with the long action hammer throw. The double action is usually buttery smooth. While the service grips are the correct style or could have the silver medallions on the tops, they don't do much for absorbing recoil. I prefer the shooting experience with magna grips which have higher shoulders to the top of the grip frame.

Here's mine with the smaller service grips.

These are great guns from what I've gathered, and I'm sure mine will be no different. You are correct on the double-action, it is very nice, and single action is like butter. I am very much looking forward to a range trip with this.

 

[Mosin2-5]

Welcome to the Forum. Congratulations on filling a slot on your want list. Those 1917's are a lot of fun at the range, and I also appreciate the workmanship that went in to making them. It seems that you have done your research on them..... now take it to the range and experience shooting it. There is a good amount of information in the Forum archives on the 1917, so enjoy getting lost there for a while.

Thanks for the warm welcome! I tried to do my research, first to make sure it fits what I want, and to also make sure I'm getting a fair deal on it also. I'll have to do some more reading, I'm sure! The Brazilian contract issue just adds to the cool factor!

 

[Mosin2-5]

Welcome to the Forum.

If your revolver has a square notch rear sight, it will be from the first shipment of 1937 Brazilian 1917s.

Thank you! It does indeed have a square notch rear sight cutout like I saw in a video that had one very similar to mine. It looks like it's 98 off of the last gun to go in the first batch, if I'm reading the numbers correctly.

 

[Mosin2-5]

I am very interested in Brazilian history so when these guns started showing up here in the late 80's I grabbed one from Century Arms.

Mine is from the 1946 shipment. It has most of the original finish with some minor rust here and there. The grips are the pre war checkered walnut version with large medallions. The DA pull has that easy motion that S&W long actions are known for.

The side plate medallion on the Brazilian 1917 also appears on the receiver ring of Brazilian military Mausers.

The date on the crest, November 15 , 1889 commemorates the date that Emperor Dom Pedro II was removed. This abolished the monarchy and established Brazil as a republic. In Brazil this event is commemorated every November 15 th as Republic Day.

Brazil fought on the allied side during WWII and sent an expeditionary force of about 20,000 troops to fight in the Italian campaign. The Brazilian Air Force also saw service in Italy and flew ground support missions using P-47s. Before the war Brazil sourced most of it's small arms from Germany. After joining the allied war effort Brazil was equipped with the latest U.S. equipment. Photos of Brazilian troops in action show plenty of 1903-A3s , Garands , Carbines and M3 and Thompson SMGs.

While I have not seen any photos of the 1917s in action I would guess that some of them found there way to Italy.

In addition to the Brazilian 1917 I have US model and 2 Colts. These guns shoot great with cast bullets. I prefer using .45 Auto Rim cases in the 1917s with either a 200gr SWC or 225 gr RN using data from the Lyman Cast Manual.

Enjoy your 1917. It is a nice piece of history. It is fortunate that we were able to bring these back home.

Thank you! I am very much looking forward to a range trip!

 

[Mosin2-5]

I'm thinking it is what you see there and that S&W will have very little to add in a letter. If shooting it is your purpose, use the money a letter would cost you to buy pair of grips that will fill your hand better and buy ammo with the rest.

I know folks on this forum look disdainfully on refinishing any gun, but that one is a prime candidate for a careful cleaning and reblue. I've seen a couple of 1937s in similar condition be cleaned carefully and reblued (without heavy buffing) and make great additions to their owners' collections. I'd give that some serious consideration. The best example I've seen was one from a batch that came in back in the late '80s. I got it for my uncle who had it cleaned and polished lightly then blued. He finished it off with a set of modern magna grips and he now has a revolver that looks great and is a pleasure for him to shoot.

Froggie

I think you're right, after researching similar letters. I'm a purist at heart, so I will enjoy it with how the finish it. To me, it's only original once, but I'm sure it'd look nice if it had more finish, but I'm not complaining, either. I'll take rough finish (more or less) and a pristine bore and cylinders any day.

 

[Scharfschuetzer]

You'll enjoy shooting that old war horse.

I bought a Brazilian 1917 many years ago and have put many rounds through it. I did put on a set of modified S&W target grips though, as it was pretty painful with the original grip panels. Of course, the originals have been saved if ever needed.

I shoot cast bullets in mine. I cast them hard (or use commercial cast) due to the shallow rifling and I size them to .452" although .454" is probably better. I use 45 AR cases sometimes or just ACP cases in full moon clips.

Here it is at 20 yards DA from the Weaver stance.

 

[StrawHat]

There are several threads on the Brazilian revolvers. Here are a few,

The Two Eras of the Brazilian Model 1917

Update on Brazilian 37- IV Better Pics

S&W 1917: remembering the Brazilian Expeditionary Force

Kevin

 

[damienph]

i bought my '37 Brazilian either late 1980s or 1990 at the latest. I know that it was well under $200. I have the medallion grips that came on it but they are pretty rough and oil soaked.

It is quite accurate with both .45 ACP and Auto Rims, for the last 25 years or so I only shoot .45 AR through it because I don't like messing with the moon clips.

 

[Muley Gil]

You'll enjoy shooting that old war horse.

I bought a Brazilian 1917 many years ago and have put many rounds through it. I did put on a set of modified S&W target grips though, as it was pretty painful with the original grip panels. Of course, the originals have been saved if ever needed.

I shoot cast bullets in mine. I cast them hard (or use commercial cast) due to the shallow rifling and I size them to .452" although .454" is probably better. I use 45 AR cases sometimes or just ACP cases in full moon clips.

Here it is at 20 yards DA from the Weaver stance.

That's some good shooting!

 

[Tex1001]

Nice revolver! I like the S&W ACP revolver and have a few of them.
Here is one of my Brazilians. Slightly modified for carry purposes.

Kevin

More than a decade ago I got sucked into a Brazilian 1917 at a gun show. I was sure that I made a mistake, even though it was dirt cheap. The mods are very well done.
Turns out that it's the favorite big bore of two of my granddaughters.
My daughter in law is from Japan. When her mom and brother visited Texas, the FIRST thing they asked about was shooting handguns.
The 1917 pictured here and the Super Blackhawk loaded with specials made us eternal friends. They took bragging pictures back that made them the envy of their friends.

 

[Old Corp]

My later-model Brazilian was bought on a really good deal from a friend. He'd mainly wanted the OE 'medallion' grips that had been on it.

Someone had parkerized it long before it came to me - which is fine. I've seen Brazilian M1937's that looked like they'd been drug behind a truck for many miles.

Mine sees a lot of carry as a 'woods gun' and is also a 'stand-in shooter' for an absolutely pristine M1917 that mainly lives in my safe.
I mainly use .45 AR handloads in it - usually with a 250/255 gr. LSWC KT bullet. It shoots great.

Hope you enjoy yours.

 

[gmborkovic]

Pls. no refinish. Leave it alone and shoot. A nice gun with a lot of character.
Chopped up and re-fin guns are all over the market. Nice find.