First off as a long time lurker and now a first time poster I would like to say hello. I appreciate the amount of information that I have already learned from here. Today, I put a deposit on a M1917 Brazilian Contract. This one has a parkerized finish. From what I can tell, it didn't leave the factory that way. Does any one know if this was done by the Brazilians during a rebuild, or was this done once the guns were surplused and brought back here. This gun isn't import marked, so I am sure it's been back in the USA for a long time. Thanks in advance for any help, Chris

First off as a long time lurker and now a first time poster I would like to say hello. I appreciate the amount of information that I have already learned from here. Today, I put a deposit on a M1917 Brazilian Contract. This one has a parkerized finish. From what I can tell, it didn't leave the factory that way. Does any one know if this was done by the Brazilians during a rebuild, or was this done once the guns were surplused and brought back here. This gun isn't import marked, so I am sure it's been back in the USA for a long time. Thanks in advance for any help, Chris

Chris,
Welcome aboard.
I don't believe the Brazilians parked them. I think the importers did some of the rougher ones. Sometimes the import marks are under the grips, or under the barrel stamped over the serial number, and sometimes just plain missing.
I think it was just oversight or carelessness when it is missing.
I don't believe any came in before the big batches were imported.

__________________
Regards,
Lee Jarrett

Lee,
Thanks for the quick reply. I know that parkerizing covers a multitude of sins, but this gun looks pretty smooth under the parkerizing. I was holding out hope that the refinish was done in Brazil. I didn't think to check under grips for a import mark. I am buying the gun with the intention of shooting it and I won't have too much into it so I don't think I'm getting hurt. Thanks again for the help, Chris

I think that some of the guns lost a lot, or most of the finish without getting really pitted. Rather than sell them with virtually no finish, I think they parked them.

__________________
Regards,
Lee Jarrett

Lee,
That makes sense. It has a really nice bore so I hope it makes a good shooter. Thanks again, Chris

The Brazilians just tossed these guns into large crates for storage and shipping to the U.S. No padding, no boxes, no nothing, just a pile o' guns. That accounts for most of them displaying lots and lots of scratches and dings, as opposed to user or holster wear (which some also had!).

Navy Arms offered them in several grades, including freshly Parkerized with Pachmyer grips.

You think the steel parts are bad, look at the wood! They did use padding..the wood grips. On many of them, the best remaining part are the grip medallions. That does not address their function, which seems to be very good even with the rough finish.

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Dick Burg

This one has the Pachmayrs on it, which I am planning on swapping for either an original or repro set of smooth walnut grips. I am going to have to check again for the import mark. Again, thanks for the information. Chris

I have a parkerized Brazilian. It looks pretty rough under the grips. Bore is not bad and cylinders are perfect. Timing is right and it shoots well. Loads of fun to shoot.

I picked up the M1917 today. When I removed the Pachmayrs, I found a little pitting. Nothing too bad though. The only problem is a little pitting is now visible with the repro smooth walnut grips from NC Ordnance installed. On the plus side, the bore is really nice, I don't see a import mark and the parkerizing looks pretty uniform. Thanks, Chris

Here is a picture of my recently purchased M1917. This picture makes the Parkerizing looks uneven.
Below the gun are very rare 2009 Brazilian contact New Balance running shoes.

It looks identical to my parked Brazilian 1917 which I got about 18 months ago. Mine shoots extremely well to POA and is tight and also has pits under the grips. I suppose, carried a lot and very seldom shot

What is your opinion of the NC Ordnance grips, particularly the fit, and how much did they cost if you don't mind my asking?

Thanks,
Chuck

Chuck,
In all honesty, I think the grips look so much better than the Pachmayrs that were on it . If I can't have the original grips, at least I want them to appear original. I placed the order late last Friday afternoon and the grips were in my mailbox in Ct. on Monday. There were no problems with the fit or the finish. The grips were $65 + shipping, which was only a few dollars. They sent their catalog with the order. They have a large selection, especially for older guns. They also have repro buttplates available. I don't know if I am allowed to use the "C" word on this forum, but NC Ordnance is the authorized manufacturer for Colt SAA repro grips. Hope this helped you out. Regards, Chris