That is webbing.
Brazilian 1917 Gun Show find
- Thread starter Shrek Of The Arctic
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That is webbing.
Douglas Jr.
Member
Correct, this is webbing. It was a Brazilian made field equipment, modelled after the British P37 field gear.
This kind of field gear has become rare and it is hard to find even in Brazil. If you are interested I can write a specific topic for the Brazilian SW 1917 rig.
Meanwhile you guys can take a look at this American Rifleman article I co-wrote a couple of years ago:
Handguns Of A Forgotten Ally | An Official Journal Of The NRA
This kind of field gear has become rare and it is hard to find even in Brazil. If you are interested I can write a specific topic for the Brazilian SW 1917 rig.
Meanwhile you guys can take a look at this American Rifleman article I co-wrote a couple of years ago:
Handguns Of A Forgotten Ally | An Official Journal Of The NRA
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StrawHat
Member
Thank you for that information and for sharing that article. My Father mentioned the Brazilians being in Italy but I never perused it.
The information on the web gear would be interesting to see.
Kevin
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Thank you posting the article link and for authoring it, I remember it well!
Jack Flash
Member
The linked article is excellent. I urge anyone interested in Brazilian M1917s to read it.
Douglas Jr., thank you for posting the link to the article. I have been looking for that information for quite some time. I wish I could find some of the web gear now, but that is far more scarce than the gun! You also have one of the nicest Brazilian 1917's that I have ever seen!
Thank you for sharing with us.
Thank you for sharing with us.
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OP
Shrek Of The Arctic
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I recall that someone had requested a few more details pics. I got a few of 'em. This oldster appears to have been a plain old commercial version to my lesser trained eyes. I don't think the pics will communicate much more than perhaps slightly above average condition? That being said, these things ain't my strong suit, and I'd be proud to learn sumpthing new.
Speaking of which...It is my understanding that the first 25K or so went to Italy during WWII where they got worked pretty darn hard. But what were the 12K imported in 1946 for? Just standard military issue? Some kinda National Police Force armament?
Speaking of which...It is my understanding that the first 25K or so went to Italy during WWII where they got worked pretty darn hard. But what were the 12K imported in 1946 for? Just standard military issue? Some kinda National Police Force armament?
Attachments
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Douglas Jr.
Member
Only a few of the 1st contract guns went to Italy, as part of the Brazilian Expeditionary Force. Most of the weapons were delivered by the U.S. Ordnance through the Peninsular Base Station already in the Italian Theater of Operations.
However, some Brazilian MPs and officers took their revolvers in order to keep the discipline and for protection. One example was the Infantry divisionary comander, Brigadier General Zenobio da Costa, who carried his M1917 during the whole campaign.
These guns weren't issued to any Police Force and remained in use with the Army for the following decades, mostly with Artillery and Cavalry units. Some made its way to the Brazilian Navy. Oddly a few hundred from the 1946 contract were kept in storage and never issued and auctioned for Brazilian collectors in late 1980s stilm in their original boxes.
Greetings.
Douglas
However, some Brazilian MPs and officers took their revolvers in order to keep the discipline and for protection. One example was the Infantry divisionary comander, Brigadier General Zenobio da Costa, who carried his M1917 during the whole campaign.
These guns weren't issued to any Police Force and remained in use with the Army for the following decades, mostly with Artillery and Cavalry units. Some made its way to the Brazilian Navy. Oddly a few hundred from the 1946 contract were kept in storage and never issued and auctioned for Brazilian collectors in late 1980s stilm in their original boxes.
Greetings.
Douglas
StrawHat
Member
Douglas Jr.
Member
All the equipment given to the Brazilian Expeditionary Force in Italy was duly paid and accounted for. Rubber, iron ore, manganese, cotton and other commodities that were strategic for the Allied war effort was the coin.
You can take a look at the propaganda movies made by the U.S. Government during WWII to have a good look about the Brazilian role in the Allied campaing:
https://youtu.be/doEAb9bugso?si=k1HFqg-9qduw4F0n
https://youtu.be/ZUHe4Jmtij4?si=q4tY5ZhPWuNOhZbu
You can take a look at the propaganda movies made by the U.S. Government during WWII to have a good look about the Brazilian role in the Allied campaing:
https://youtu.be/doEAb9bugso?si=k1HFqg-9qduw4F0n
https://youtu.be/ZUHe4Jmtij4?si=q4tY5ZhPWuNOhZbu
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Green Frog
Member
Shrek, I want to congratulate you for seeing through/past what was wrong with that revolver, and recognizing all that was right. Of course you can regard those stags as your reward for saving that poor orphan, but the gun itself came out great. Other than perhaps a “proper” set of grips, I wouldn’t change a thing about it if it were at my house!
Regards,
Froggie
Regards,
Froggie
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Douglas Jr.
Member
As promised, here you can find the new topic about the Brazilian SW M1917 field gear:
https://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-hand-ejectors-1896-1961/735760-presentation-brazilian-smith-wesson-model-1917-revolver-rig-1942-pattern.html#post142157933
Hope you enjoy it.
Douglas
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Shrek Of The Arctic
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So...Five months later, I'm ashamed to admit I've finally fired that Brazilian 1917. I was really surprised at how very well it shot! It was far smoother than I'd realized initially, and it held it's own against several other .45 revolvers I had on the table. It performed so very well that I'm considering it for night stand duty. As such, I am currently looking at a more shootable set of grips, though I also wouldn't mind finding some smooth originals. Thankfully, grips are easy to change around as needed, I reckon. As it is, the magna grips are a bit rough on the ole social finger especially.
For that matter, I think it might be fun to shoot an ASI match or two with. It's been awhile since I've tried one, but I think it would be fun to shoot a different revolver every time for awhile. The 1917, Victory, 10-5, etc.
I find it interesting that this is my third 1917 revolver, and the best shooting of the three, though it may be the least valuable. Funny how all that works out. Earlier in this thread, I had mentioned the temptation to shorten the bbl. on it. I was never strongly inclined towards doing that, but now I can definitively stay there ain't no way that's gunna happen. I've finally matured enough to realize when not to mess with a good thing. Anyhoo, I hope y'all don't mind me bouncing back to this. I'm just really happy with how well it's performing and felt it would be a good follow up.
For that matter, I think it might be fun to shoot an ASI match or two with. It's been awhile since I've tried one, but I think it would be fun to shoot a different revolver every time for awhile. The 1917, Victory, 10-5, etc.
I find it interesting that this is my third 1917 revolver, and the best shooting of the three, though it may be the least valuable. Funny how all that works out. Earlier in this thread, I had mentioned the temptation to shorten the bbl. on it. I was never strongly inclined towards doing that, but now I can definitively stay there ain't no way that's gunna happen. I've finally matured enough to realize when not to mess with a good thing. Anyhoo, I hope y'all don't mind me bouncing back to this. I'm just really happy with how well it's performing and felt it would be a good follow up.
At the risk of being a bad influence......
I have one of those on my list. I have a pair of british HE i picked up yrs ago both converted. I would like to get a Brazilian contract and us marked 1917 to round things out. I have colt new service from wwi love 45 acp revolvers
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