Finally Got A 1917!

J

jggaffney

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I've been looking for one for a couple of years, and this one just about fell in my lap. It's got some wear on it, but everything else is there. It locks up tight, and the bore is nice and clean. Pics to follow (I just got it last night).

The pistol has the Brazilian crest and "1937" on the right frame. The serial number is 209XXX. According to SCSW, there was a large shipment of 1917s to Brazil in 1938, up to #207043, and another shipment in 1946 up to #207989. Where does that leave mine?

Mine has the diamond checkered grips with the S&W logo on them. According to SCSW, these grips "are found on commercial models." Should I shop around for some plain walnut grips, or...? These grips are pretty beat up.

The bottom of the barrel is stamped with the serial number, but it's also overstamped with what looks like "MACO____." The stamp is just below and partly on the serial number. Is this an arsenal stamp or an importer?

I'm thinking about refinishing the pistol. I use Hot Flash Refinishing in NoCalif, and they have done an excellent job on some shotguns for me. Would you send it out? I'm not worried about collector's value since this pistol won't get sold until my estate liquidates.

Pics to follow.
 
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I understand your statement in not worrying about the refinish until your estate liquidates, but my philosophy is that we are only caretakers of these fine old revolvers. We keep them in working order, keep them clean and try to preserve whatever the condition in which we recieved them.

The problem with your approach is that there will be a new cartetaker somewhere down the line and how many times have you read from a collector about a fine old S&W "ruined" by refinishing - no matter how good a job was done?

Just my opinion, so do what you want with the 1917, but wouldn't it be great to think that someone 100 years from now will marvel at the "untouched" original condition of your Smith?

Gary
SWCA #2515
 
Also, it is amazing what just an easy rubbing with steel wool and a light gun oil can do to make the old warhorses look very handsome.
 
"MACO____."

Possibly "NACO" for Navy Arms Company, who imported a bunch of the Brazilians.

Is the topstrap rounded or flattened? The early 1937 contract Brazilians were new made and had flattened topstraps with a square notch rear sight. The later 1946 contract Brazilians used WW I surplus frames and these had the rounded topstrap and a tiny rear sight.

The checkered grips with S&W medallions would be correct for the early contract Brazilians.
 
I used 4-0 steel wool and gun oil and a very light touch to polish the frame on my Model 10 and the receiver of my sporterized Mauser, and they came out very nice. This pistol, however, has some rust on the frame under the grips, and the barrel has scratches on it. I'll make a pass at it and see how clean it comes up.

I can't wait for my moonclips to get here so that I can shoot it. What's everybody's favorite demooning tool? I think I like the one Brownells has with the plastic handle.
 
jggaffney said:
I can't wait for my moonclips to get here so that I can shoot it.
Click to expand...

That brings up a question I have. Do you have to have the moon clips in order to fire the weapon? I thought they were just an aid to extract the rimless .45 acp. With out them can't you just push the spent rounds out with a tool "ie. pencil"? Or do you need them in order to make the rounds fit properly.
 
i have a 1917 and dont always use moon clips. they will shoot without them.
 
I believe the 45 acp headspaces on the mouth of the case. The moon clip only aids in fast loading and unloading. You can fire them without a clip, but the extractor won't extract the rimless cases. The 45 Autorim is another alternative to moon clips.
 
sbachler said:
That brings up a question I have. Do you have to have the moon clips in order to fire the weapon? I thought they were just an aid to extract the rimless .45 acp. With out them can't you just push the spent rounds out with a tool "ie. pencil"? Or do you need them in order to make the rounds fit properly.
Click to expand...
With the exception of early Colt 1917 revolvers, you got it right the first time.
 
this_thread_is_worthless_without_pics.gif
 
Finally Got A 1917! **Pics Added**

I cleaned it up some this afternoon, and then drug out the camera and tripod.

SW1917007.jpg



SW1917014.jpg

It says "S&W D.A. 45" on the side of the barrel. No US military markings. It has the usual S&W trademark info on the top of the barrel.


SW1917013.jpg

The grips are pretty scarred up. The shiny circle is an S&W medallion, but it's beat up, too.


SW1917012.jpg

Someone asked about the shape of the top strap?


SW1917016.jpg

Here's the Brazilian crest.


When I pulled the grips off, I found rust and pitting on the frame. I cleaned it up as best I could with 4-0 steel wool and Hoppe's oil, but it's still pitted. This part of the frame doesn't look like it was ever blued. What do other people know about that?

My moonclips get here from Midway on Thursday. I ordered the steel ones by Wilson Combat because I've had good luck with their parts on my 1911. The plastic moonclips by RIMZ look interesting, though. If the steel clips turn out to be a real PITA, I'll get some of the plastic ones.

Right now, I can't wait to start shooting this pistol!
 
Your revolver is from the second contract in the 1940s, as it is built on a WW I frame. The 1930s built Brazilians had a square notch rear sight.

Either buy or make a demooner to use with the steel clips. Mine was bought from Brownells and looks like a nutdriver with a hollow handle that holds six (6) empty .45 ACP cartridges.
 
Well she's a fine old warhorse and my preference for a Brazilian, the 1946 (second) contract that used WW I surplus 1917 round top frames that Smith purchased back from the Govn't as David informed us earlier. They were stocked with the commercial model stocks (flat silver medallions and checkered) of the '30s and early '40's.
 
Last edited:
That is actually a very nice Brazilian.

Once again-

1937 Pre-War contract guns look just like a 1930's commercial should:
Flat-top.
Commercial polish.
Checkered medallion service grips.

1946 contract guns (still marked 1937 below crest):
Round-top WW I type frame.
Dull or satin blue.
SMOOTH grips.
 
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