1917 Revolver questions

[Scotsman1886]

I am picking up my 1917 from layaway tomorrow and have a couple questions.
It is a Brazilain 1937.
Are the Brazialian contracts better than the wartime ones? I had heard they were.
What are the correct stocks for thios model?
Ill try and post some photos soon.
Thanks

 

[Scotsman1886]

I am picking up my 1917 from layaway tomorrow and have a couple questions.
It is a Brazilain 1937.
Are the Brazialian contracts better than the wartime ones? I had heard they were.
What are the correct stocks for thios model?
Ill try and post some photos soon.
Thanks

 

[ultramag44]

Most, but not all Brazilians have flat-top frames w/ a square rear sight notch. Some have the 1917 rounded-top frame w/ U sight notch.

Most Brazilians have checkered grips w/ a madalion, but some have 1917 type grips.

My 1917 has a flat-top frames w/ a square rear sight notch and 1917 type grips.

The quality is something I don't feel qualified to discuss, but, I think the trigger pull is better on the 1937's (just IMHO).

 

[reddogge]

As a collectable the Brazilian isn't in the same league as a USGI one. The U.S. model is worth twice as much in original condition. As a shooter...who knows?

 

[powerkicker]

Ignored post by ultramag44 posted 23 September 2007 08:29 PM Show Post

reddogge
Member

I've owned both. I still have a Brazilian. Mine is made of mostly WWI era, eagle-head stamped parts. It's a good,round-top shooter but the trigger is a bit stout. I find it the equal of the earlier 1917's in every way.

 

[Deacon KC]

My 1937 has proven to be a very fine shooter. Enjoy!

 

[dogngun]

Scotsman: My 1937 was a commercial model 1917, made in '37, merely stamped with the Brazilian crest and exported. It has a very early serial number, and is a round top frame model. The DA trigger is a bit heavy, but very smooth and the gun still locks up tighter than many new revolvers I have owned.
It is a great shooter, very accurate compared to my 1911
I believe it is the most accurate N-Frame I have owned, except my old Hiway Patrolman.
Don't know about the'37 steel versus the military 1917, but I'd susperct there are some differences.
Mine is an incredibly good quality revolver, and has become my all time favorite in the few months I have owned it.
Please post the SN when you get it.
Mark

 

[The Virginian]

The Brazilian contract guns were made to S&W standards of the 1930s with the hammer block and are superior to their wartime siblings. Personally, for shooters they are a steal compared to the wartime guns which are getting expensive.

 

[handejector]

Originally posted by dogngun:
Scotsman: My 1937 was a commercial model 1917, made in '37, merely stamped with the Brazilian crest and exported. It has a very early serial number, and is a round top frame model. The DA trigger is a bit heavy, but very smooth and the gun still locks up tighter than many new revolvers I have owned.
It is a great shooter, very accurate compared to my 1911
I believe it is the most accurate N-Frame I have owned, except my old Hiway Patrolman.
Don't know about the'37 steel versus the military 1917, but I'd susperct there are some differences.
Mine is an incredibly good quality revolver, and has become my all time favorite in the few months I have owned it.
Please post the SN when you get it.
Mark

Mark,
Have you lettered that gun, or are you dating it by the "1937" on the sideplate??
If it is actually a round-top, and with a low number, it was more likely shipped in 46. Please tell us the number range.

 

[ChuckS1]

I have both a Brazilian and a M1917. the Brazilian's grip is smooth with the serial number stamped on it, vice the 1917's grooved frame.

I'm thinking that my 1917 was factory reblued at some point, since it only has the serial number and a star stamped on the bottom of the grip frame, there's a S&W logo rollmarked on the right side and "11 47" on the grip frame out of sight when stocks are in place.

 

[The Virginian]

It may well have been reblued at the factory. My 1917s have smooth grip frames and if they are grooved, it was either a left over .44 HE frame or it was done as part of the factory rebuild.

 

[ChuckS1]

From what I've seen on another thread's pictures, my reworked M1917 looks like a pre-22 now, with the exception of the military barrel, hammer and ejector rod.

 

[panamajack310]

ChuckS1, remember the 1917 N frame was the baisis for the model 22....S&W probably had used some of the frames made in 1917-1940's for the model 22...I have a friend with a commercial 1917 that has all of the military markings such as the inspector stamp and flaming bomb....his gun just does not have any of the US property markings.....The frame was a surplus frame......

 

[m-1911]

Originally posted by handejector:

Originally posted by dogngun:
Scotsman: My 1937 was a commercial model 1917, made in '37, merely stamped with the Brazilian crest and exported. It has a very early serial number, and is a round top frame model. The DA trigger is a bit heavy, but very smooth and the gun still locks up tighter than many new revolvers I have owned.
It is a great shooter, very accurate compared to my 1911
I believe it is the most accurate N-Frame I have owned, except my old Hiway Patrolman.
Don't know about the'37 steel versus the military 1917, but I'd susperct there are some differences.
Mine is an incredibly good quality revolver, and has become my all time favorite in the few months I have owned it.
Please post the SN when you get it.
Mark

Mark,
Have you lettered that gun, or are you dating it by the "1937" on the sideplate??
If it is actually a round-top, and with a low number, it was more likely shipped in 46. Please tell us the number range.

Lee

Take a look at this Brazilian, it has smooth grips numbered to the gun, it has an Eagle head in the yoke cut out, round notch sight and is in the sn 151565. It is non import marked and all original finish