Brazilian M1937/1917 Matching Numbers??

[mitchsnap]

Picked this up today. It's no safe queen. But it's tight. Timing is good. Bore looks very good. A little surface issues here and there. I traded a Uberti .45LC 5.5 S/S SAA for this. The Uberti I had $325.00 into and did not enjoy shooting it much as it was a bit much with the grips that came with it. Uberti's were just not my cup of tea. The cylinder, butt, and barrel numbers match. As well as when you open the cylinder and check the upper and lower #'s. The grip #'s don't match but they may be correct. The S/N of the gun is 19544x. There is a "B" stamped in front of the barrel # which I'm to assume means blued. The #'s when you open the cylinder are 28355. And there are some #'s stamped on the middle of the backstrap which are 13355. Now here are some questions that I have if I can get some help here. What is the best way to safely address any minor surface rust issues?? This a blued finish, not parkerized. Also what ammo can be safely used to fire this firearm??? Also regarding the moon clips??? Will I be better off buying aftermarket moon clips vs original if available??? I would prefer original. The hammer is checkered and the trigger is grooved with case coloring and stamped "REG.U.S.PAT.OFF." Can't find any import marks as I see on other guns.
Anyway, I thought it was pretty cool. Would like to shoot it so any input regarding this one is appreciated. I have several pics, but can only post so many without opening another thread. Thanks to all.

 

[Muley Gil]

S&W built about 25,000 1917s for the Brazilian government. The "B" does indeed mean that it was shipped in the blued finish. The number on the backstrap is a rack number or unit number for the Brazilian military unit that received this revolver.

Standard .45 ACP will be fine. Your revolver shipped in the first Brazilan batch and was built in the 1930s. The original clips were half moons and each held three rounds. The full moons are much better for shooting.

Most 1917s and Brazilian 1917s are good shooters. I enjoy mine.

Even a parts gun shoots pretty good:

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-hand-ejectors-1896-1961/219269-shooting-frankensmith-1917-a.html

 

[mitchsnap]

Was it worth the $325.00 trade on the Uberti? I really enjoy my S&W. Guess that's why I did the trade even up.

 

[mitchsnap]

Also I was curious that it had no import marks anywhere.

 

[pilgrim6a]

I do not think any will address the apparent skinning you gave that other fella. He got a gun he likes, you got the much, MUCH better gun!
As to the light surface rust, oil it and shoot it! It's not worth worrying about.
If you don't like it. There are many here who will give you a good price for it.

 

[mitchsnap]

I do not think any will address the apparent skinning you gave that other fella. He got a gun he likes, you got the much, MUCH better gun!
As to the light surface rust, oil it and shoot it! It's not worth worrying about.
If you don't like it. There are many here who will give you a good price for it.

Maybe I missed something here. I was asking was it worth the trade??? I don't see any skinning here......... That's all. There was no mention of a gun he was comparing to.

 

[Muley Gil]

Yes, your Brazilian is definately worth $325. Most go for $400-$500.

 

[Sebago Son]

Also I was curious that it had no import marks anywhere.

Neither of my Brazillians have import marks. One came from Century Arms, the other from FedOrd. I think it was pretty hit or miss. Both of mine are in super condition so I wondered if maybe someone at both of these companies had a conscience and wouldn't hack up a fine Smith. Then I saw them grading the guns at Century and realized I was mistaken... they were just throwing them into totes. Even guns that were in unissued condition...

 

[mitchsnap]

Cool. That's what I was looking for. Just some info. Guess the moon clips on GB will work just fine with standard .45ACP ammo. I've seen mostly 230 grain. Will that work????

 

[shep854]

Cool. That's what I was looking for. Just some info. Guess the moon clips on GB will work just fine with standard .45ACP ammo. I've seen mostly 230 grain. Will that work????

Yep. That's what it was made for. Avoiding "+P" ammunition (and someone else's handloads) is a good idea, but standard ammo or light target loads are fine.
----
If both of you are happy with your new guns, it was a good deal all around.

 

[murphydog]

These usually shoot well with standard 230 gr FMJ. Some report inconsistent groups with lead bullets. Any mild abrasive with light pressure (I like Renaissance Pre-Lim) should take care of the rust, followed by wax (from the same maker) to preserve the metal.

 

[mitchsnap]

I was looking through the forum to get some info regarding import and non- import Brazilian 1937's. Based upon my S/N this gun was supposed to ship out to Brazil in 1938. The U.S. stamped these before they left the states with the crest. However, I cannot find anywhere on the gun any import markings from CAI or other. Is it possible this gun was supposed to go out and never got shipped??? Also any recommendations as to what brand or type of moon ring to use with the .45ACP target ammo. I've found several auctions on GB but don't know what's better or worse. Are there actual moon rings available from that era?? That would be cool unless the new ones work just as well. The only .45 auto rim I could find around here was hollow point defensive ammo +P. Not recommended. Thanks again to all..........

 

[shep854]

The original moon clips for the M1917 was a three-round unit, now called "half-moon" clips, with the cartridges fitting on the inside. In fact, ammo for the revolvers came pre-loaded in the clips. Nowadays, most clips are the 6-rd "full-moon" clips, although 2-rd "third-moon" clips have been marketed. They may be out there somewhere, but I'm not aware of half-moon clips on the market. If I hear of any, I'll pass it along.
Barring QC problems, clips from any maker should fit the guns.

 

[mitchsnap]

I noticed that the current market for "full moon clips" on GB offer many clips for one price. Does that mean that they may break and the need for additional clips??? Made out of metal or plastic?? Excuse my ignorance but this gun is a bit different than putting in 6 rounds of .44 Magnum in my pre-29 and saying " Have a nice day".

 

[shep854]

I noticed that the current market for "full moon clips" on GB offer many clips for one price. Does that mean that they may break and the need for additional clips??? Made out of metal or plastic?? Excuse my ignorance but this gun is a bit different than putting in 6 rounds of .44 Magnum in my pre-29 and saying " Have a nice day".

I've only shot my revolver once, but using those clips is a blast! You can practically throw a load into the gun, and the empties drop out in a neat package. Look up Jerry Miculek on YouTube; he can just about reload a .45 revolver without pause!
I don't know the make of the ones that came with my gun, but they felt like pretty stiff metal. With reasonable care, they should last a while.
Like M1 Garand clips, the main problem may simply be keeping up with them; they are kinda small, and they could get lost if you don't keep an eye on them. As for clips by different makers, durability may vary. I need to look around some, myself.

 

[mitchsnap]

Thanks, shep854. Guess I just need to ask the sellers on GB regarding the clips material or quality.

 

[Muley Gil]

Most of us that shoot .45 ACP revolvers like to load the moon clips at the house and then take them to the range. You shoot up all the ammo, then take the clips home and unload them.

It is kinda like shooting a semi auto and only owning one magazine, especially if doing any combat practice. It's a lot easier to load 'em up beforehand.

Actually, you can shoot the S&W (and most Colt) 1917s without using any clips. The clips were developed to eject the fired cartridges. .45 ACP ammo headspaces on the casemouth, whether in a revolver or a semi.

 

[shep854]

Gil, thanks for the reminder. I haven't shot mine w/o clips, so I keep forgetting about that.
Mitchsnap, since the ejector star won't work without a clip, you can push the empties out with a small stick or a pencil. If you reload, you can get .45 Auto Rim brass and load rounds that function like regular revolver cartridges.
The thing is, you will be hard-put to find a softer-shooting, harder hitting centerfire handgun anywhere!

 

[Gary]

I have one that is in about the same condition. They are nice shooting guns. They used to be cheap but seem to be going up in price recently. I traded a Savage 24 22 mag/20 gauge for mine. I kind of wish I would have figured a way to keep the Savage, and get the Brazillian. Oh well. I don't like to fool with moon clips, even though I have a demooner tool, so I bought a bunch of auto rim brass and reload for it. It makes for much more enjoyable range trips.

 

[murphydog]

The metal clips work well but need a special tool to release the empties (I think they load with finger pressure?) The Rimz plastic moonclips work fine for casual use and load/unload easily.