I have a chance to buy a S&W 1917/1937 Brazilian for $500. It does not have original grips but does have the lanyard ring and more blue than the average one's I have seen. Generally speaking it looks and locks up good and I believe it's late production with a 198xxx serial. What say you, too much, can I get grips? I will try to get back there and get pictures, but not today.

I believe that is a pretty good price if it is as you stated and it is in good shape mechanically. Check the timing and play. Check the condition of the barrel. Do all the other serial numbers match? You should be able to find the proper grips.

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Tom
NRA Pistol Inst

That Brazilian would have been built in 1938 and should have a square notch rear sight. These were basically the same as any late 1930s N frame revolver.

After WW II, S&W uncovered a bunch of WW I vintage 1917 frames and assembled a second group of Brazilian 1917s. These have the older dimple rear sight.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

That sounds like a fair price to me. I would buy another 45ACP revolver at that price. Oh the bad thing about 45 ACP revolvers is you can't have just one.

I believe the numbers on the cylinder and the barrel match the frame. I need to go back and take some time to check the timing, barrel condition and rear sight. So far I have been able to keep my Smith's to J and K frames, I am trying to not move to another frame size. I have noticed I have a weakness for any Smith with 5 screws. I guess the first step is identifying my problem. At least this one falls within the 21 different calibers I already have, so I won't have to find more ammo.

My opinion is tainted by the memory of buying many of these guns in fair condition for $99.99 in the early 90's from FEDORD as I recall. I also bought two mint examples for $300 from CAI in Vermont. These they never bothered to import stamp.

But I can say this. I used to unpack them, clean them up and test fire them before I put them out in the shop to sell. Even the nastiest, out of time examples with sewer pipe bores would shoot remarkably well. And I mean every damn one of them.

Long action N frame in good working order >/= $500, IMHO.