Questions about my S&W DA 45 revolver

[mikeinhistory]

Would these grips be more appropriate?

 

[DWalt]

Those would be the smooth military grips used on most military S&W M1917s. Probable correct ones for yours would be as shown in posting #13. But it is possible that 1920s style grips might have come with yours from the factory. Those have no medallions but otherwise are much the same as those having the gold medallions.. The silver-medallioned grips in your picture would likely be correct for a 1930s M1917.

 

[mikeinhistory]

Cool. Thanks, DWalt.

 

[mikeinhistory]

Got a chance to take it apart and look at all the numbers on it. The frame serial number is 104053 and it matches the barrel and cylinder. The inside of the crane matches on both sides, as well as the number on the arm. The side panel serial matches these numbers as well. It's number is 65604. So it seems to me all the numbers that should match do. I've also included pictures of every mark on the revolver that isn't a serial number or the model and patents from the barrel. I sent out a request for a letter from S&W so hopefully that will not too long to get back to me.

Thanks again everyone for all the information.

 

[mikeinhistory]

Also, here are the rear sights. I think someone asked. They are the rounded style, not the more square style.

 

[DWalt]

Allegedly, the letter turnaround time is approximately 4 months. Please come back and publish it when received. It could be interesting to many. Did you include pictures in the letter request?

 

[mikeinhistory]

Yes I did include pictures. My last one took about 6 so I'm not too optimistic about 4 months. Yes, I will certainly publish what they have to say.

 

[Hondo44]

Mike if you have a 1937 contract Brazilian with flattened top strap, it didn't come with smooth grips; the checkered grips you pictured with silver medallions that came on it are correct for it. Is there a serial # on the back side of the right grip that matches your Brazilian? Most of the 1946 contract Brazilians came with smooth grips but some came with checkered grips as well.

Those pictures show government inspector marks which confirm it was a military made frame but not stamped with Army Model 1917 and US Property. So it was built as a commercial gun.

 

[mikeinhistory]

Oh, that is interesting. All the pictures I had seen they M37s all had smooth grips. I guess I'll put those back on then.

 

[hardscrabble]

Mike, if you would, please post something to this thread so those of us who are interested can subscribe and won't miss the fun when you receive your letter. You have a really interesting revolver there.

Did you acquire this recently? I keep getting this sneaking suspicion I have seen it before.

 

[Hondo44]

Oh, that is interesting. All the pictures I had seen they M37s all had smooth grips. I guess I'll put those back on then.

They may have been M46s, most people call all of them 1937 Brazilians.
Is there a serial # on the back side of the right grip that matches your gun?

 

[mikeinhistory]

Mike, if you would, please post something to this thread so those of us who are interested can subscribe and won't miss the fun when you receive your letter. You have a really interesting revolver there.

Did you acquire this recently? I keep getting this sneaking suspicion I have seen it before.

Yes, I purchased it about a week ago. The guy I got it from though knew absolutely nothing about it however. I have not posted it before at the very least.

 

[mikeinhistory]

They may have been M46s, most people call all of them 1937 Brazilians. Does yours have a flat or rounded top strap like your 1917 shown in post #25?

Is there a serial # on the back side of the right grip that matches your Brazilian?

I don't know. I will have to dig it out of the safe and take a closer look.

 

[mikeinhistory]

Mike if you have a 1937 contract Brazilian with flattened top strap, it didn't come with smooth grips; the checkered grips you pictured with silver medallions that came on it are correct for it. Is there a serial # on the back side of the right grip that matches your Brazilian? Most of the 1946 contract Brazilians came with smooth grips but some came with checkered grips as well.

Those pictures show government inspector marks which confirm it was a military made frame but not stamped with Army Model 1917 and US Property. So it was built as a commercial gun.

Here is the Brazilian M1937 that I have. I still haven't dug it out of the safe, but my recollection is that the grips do not match the gun's serial numbers.

Ye Olde Gun Porn (Blog) ? Smith & Wesson in .45 acp 1937  Brazilian...

Also, here's some footage of it in action, skip to 1:25
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHT21OczVuc

 

[mikeinhistory]

Also, I have a few quick questions again about the DA 45. Here are some more marks I found. It looks like a flame over some numbers is stamped over the trigger and under the barrel. Also, a "B" inside a diamond appears under the grips and under the barrel. Do these marks have any meaning? Thanks again everyone.

 

[gordonrick]

That is the Springfield armory "eagle head" inspector's mark IIRC

 

[Hondo44]

Yep, what gordonrick posted. The # under the eagle is the inspectors #.

 

[mikeinhistory]

Yep, what gordonrick posted. The # under the eagle is the inspectors #. Those eagles indicate that it's a surplus 1917 frame used for most of the 1946 contract guns and therefore, being a '46 Brazilian, the smooth grips are most likely correct even though the number doesn't match the gun #. They could be replacements or switched at the Brazilian armory where the gun was inventoried/maintained.

In that case your frame top strap is likely round.

Those photos are NOT of the Brazilian pistol. They are photos of the pistol from the OP.

 

[Hondo44]

Oh, sorry, I'm getting too senile for this. Corrected my post.

 

[H Richard]

Very interesting, I will be watching for the return of the letter.