I have a couple of 1937 Brazilian Contract M1917 revolvers with a strange, matte, dark gray finish. You can see it's fairly thick where it partly fills in the Brazil stamp. The two screws furthest from the trigger appear to have the same coating. The other two screws and the thumb piece are more like I'd expect from a factory blue finish. Can anyone tell me if there's any way this came from the factory, or maybe it was something commonly done by Brazil. And does this affect the gun's value? I have a few I'm planning to sell. Thanks in advance.
1937 Brazilian M1917 with Strange Finish
- Thread starter baeddy59
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
"Can anyone tell me if there's any way this came from the factory,"
No.
"or maybe it was something commonly done by Brazil."
No.
"And does this affect the gun's value? "
Very much.
No.
"or maybe it was something commonly done by Brazil."
No.
"And does this affect the gun's value? "
Very much.
Looks like someone ( The importer??) had it parkerized.
^^^^ What Bullet Bob said. ^^^^
I have handled a fair few of these, and I agree that finish is not likely anything done by the factory or Brazilians. Some of the importers worked their own magic on these when they came back. I also agree that the finish does not bode well for the value/price.
I have handled a fair few of these, and I agree that finish is not likely anything done by the factory or Brazilians. Some of the importers worked their own magic on these when they came back. I also agree that the finish does not bode well for the value/price.
Thanks for the feedback. I know I'm no fan of the look, but didn't want to mess with it if it had some history or is desirable. I don't know if I have the patience, but I might experiment with refinishing since it seems there's not much value or history to preserve.
It should do a great job of what it was designed for. Shoot
I have a Brazilian 1917 that was Parkerized some time in its life.
I don't see any reason for you to redo your gun. It won't change the value so what you spend on the refinish will be wasted.
I don't see any reason for you to redo your gun. It won't change the value so what you spend on the refinish will be wasted.
All of the Brazilian 1917's I have personally seen were parkerized. I expect that when they were imported the company that brought them in country had the whole batch parked.
I remember some 30 years ago seeing three of them on a table at a show with $299 price tags. All were parked.
I remember some 30 years ago seeing three of them on a table at a show with $299 price tags. All were parked.
Last edited:
I have one that is not parkerized. The finish is the original dark, almost black, blue finish. It is one of the guns made in the first shipment with the flat top receiver.
Pisgah
Member
Krylon matte-black. I've got one with that same treatment buried somewhere in my safe.
handejector
Staff member
- Joined
- Mar 17, 2005
- Messages
- 26,124
- Reaction score
- 46,998
No, they were not all parkerized.
I have owned dozens that had the original finish, both Pre War and Post War.
I do suspect that the importer- Navy Arms, did it and not the Brazilians.
Model19man
Member
I got one with the large Brazilian 1937 stamp on the side around 1991. The importer was selling them for $199, $299 and $399 with the more expensive ones having a better finish. Mine cost $299 and had maybe 80% scratched up finish. It was pretty accurate though. The finish on mine was a black shiny one. Where it existed.
Parkerized sounds like you have a fine shooter.
Jack Flash
Member
I have seen Parked Brazilians in gun shops and gun shows. I even saw one that looked like someone had spray painted it silver!
I have a couple that have (I believe) the original S&W blue finish. These are both Second Group guns (shipped circa 1946). A little Ren Wax greatly improved their previous dull-looking blue.
I have a couple that have (I believe) the original S&W blue finish. These are both Second Group guns (shipped circa 1946). A little Ren Wax greatly improved their previous dull-looking blue.
Last edited:
Given that it is parkerized, and given that I don't know the first thing about parkerizing besides what it looks like, IF you decide to go the refinishing route, and IF it can be done, let me suggest you strip the old finish rather than remove it with polishing wheels. No damage will be done that way---aside from whatever damage may have already been done.
And besides that, I reckon it takes a whole lot less time!!
Ralph Tremaine
Last edited:
SGT ROCK 11B
Member
You will get a nice Return on your Investment.
Welcome to the forum. To soften the general negativity about crudely refinished Brazilians, I would like to add that it still sports prewar (1930s) medallion service stocks, though they are probably not original to the gun (kind of clumsy fit to the frame at the top). They are identifiable by the sharp corners to the checking field. Those are worth something even if sort of chipped and worn.
Some re-imported Brazilians, even if they are not refinished and still look fairly good, may be frankenguns with mixed serial numbers on their different parts. l have one of those. It will never have collectible value, but it is a wonderful shooter grade .45.
Some re-imported Brazilians, even if they are not refinished and still look fairly good, may be frankenguns with mixed serial numbers on their different parts. l have one of those. It will never have collectible value, but it is a wonderful shooter grade .45.
Same here.
1917's
I have seen several this way, except darker almost black parkerized finish. I doubt it affects it over $100 though and that would be to the right buyer. These Brazilian 1917's are commonly seen in pawn shops, (I saw one in Land O Lakes a few months ago), and at gun shows.
I think if this had been done to a US issued gun, it would make a lot more difference in price.
I have seen several this way, except darker almost black parkerized finish. I doubt it affects it over $100 though and that would be to the right buyer. These Brazilian 1917's are commonly seen in pawn shops, (I saw one in Land O Lakes a few months ago), and at gun shows.
I think if this had been done to a US issued gun, it would make a lot more difference in price.
VaTom
Member
Since this thread is mostly about refinishes on 1917s here is a picture of mine. Not a Brazilian but a Commercial from 1929 - early 1930s. All five serial numbers match and stocks are stamped numbered matching also. Some time during it's 90+ year life time it was refinished. I bought it at an auction. Excellent mechanicals and great shooter. Ser 184505. I don't think it is parkerized - the auction description called it matte black. What are your thoughts? SCSW 4th Edition page 193 "Commercial Variation: considered rare". I know refinishes affect value and I know I got what I consider a great deal. What would you experts expect value to be if you owned it? Thanks - don't mean to hijack OPs thread.
Attachments
Similar threads
