Update on Brazilian 37- IV Better Pics

[Green Frog]

That's by far the nicest Brazilian I've seen, and I've seen about a bra-zillion of them! It has just enough wear that you can enjoy shooting it totally guilt-free, but is nice enough to impress every other kid in the neighborhood. Thanks for sharing.

Froggie

 

[Ray]

Thanks for the likes, folks. Missing are the box pics, which I now show to you.
Thanks, regards, Ray

 

[les.b]

Oh, No!!! He's got the box too!!!

Just kidding, Ray, that is indeed the icing on the cake!!! This is the finest Brazillian that any of us have ever seen, and with the box and tools...WOW!!!

Best Regards, Les

 

[Ray]

I never knew these guns were shipped here with its individual boxes, till I saw this one. This specimen, since it´s a 46 delivery, missed the war and I suppose were only used here by military personell doing guard duty and shot very little. On the contrary the 37 guns went to Italy with the Brazilian Expeditionary Forces and many show signs of hard use.I guess most of 17´s exported back to the US are from the 37 batch.
Thanks again, regards, Ray

 

[delta-419]

1937 45acp

Bravo! An outstanding revolver and excellent photos. Thank you for sharing.

 

[Igiveup]

That sure outshines the old thing I have. What a beautiful revolver!

 

[Hondo44]

Yep that's in very rare condition for a Brazilian. Nicest I've ever seen as well.


SOME NOTES ON THE MODEL 1917 ARMY BRAZILIAN CONTRACTS (1937 & 1946)

In 1937 S&W made some 25,000 of the Model 1917 Army under contract for Brazil, most in serial range 181983-207043 with exceptions as usual that have serial #s far out of this range, most using the post WW I 1930's produced flat top frame with sq notch rear sight (as did all N frames since the 1926/1927 time frame with no model name changes to differentiate), and these are stamped "MADE IN U.S.A." on right frame side with the S&W trademark on left side of frame. They also have a Brazilian Crest on the side plate dated 1937. These first Brazilian 1917 ARMY contract had 1930s commercial checkered grips with flat chrome plated medallions. Many Brazilians can be found with the import mark of the importer that brought them back to the USA. One common importer stamp is "IA CO SAC CA" (International Arms Company, Sacramento, California) but stamps of other big importers of surplus arms can be observed as well.

The 2nd contract Model 1917 Army Brazilian run was in 1946 of about 11,800, most using surplus WW I produced frames in the 166,000 – 175,150 range with many exceptions as usual that have serial #s far out of this range, most with older pre 1926/1927 style round top strap and small U notch rear sight. This is why most 1946 Brazilians do not have post war sliding bar safeties and likely not side plate safeties, but may have cyl hold open detents. Use caution if you remove the yoke.
Some were the newer flat top frames generally in the 207,196 – 209,878 range, with a few round tops also reported in that range. These '46 contract guns had WW I surplus 1917 smooth grips. These guns are also stamped "MADE IN U.S.A.". However, the butt serial #s read with barrel to the left like all post war hand ejectors, and is the easiest way to know which contract the gun was built for.

 

[Ray]

Mine also doesn´t have Smith & Wesson marked on the right side of the barrel, and I was informed elsewhere that this is a military contract barrel.Right or wrong, this is as I´ve been told.As to when all this was put together I think I´ll never know for sure!
Regards, Ray

 

[StrawHat]

…

On the contrary the 37 guns went to Italy with the Brazilian Expeditionary Forces and many show signs of hard use…

Ray, or anyone,

Is the holster used by the British Expeditionary Forces in Italy known?

Kevin

 

[handejector]

The 2nd contract Model 1917 Army Brazilian run was in 1946 of about 11,800, most using surplus WW I produced frames in the 166,000 – 175,150 range with many exceptions as usual that have serial #s far out of this range, most with older pre 1926/1927 style round top strap and small U notch rear sight. This is why most 1946 Brazilians do not have post war sliding bar safeties and likely not side plate safeties, but may have cyl hold open detents. Use caution if you remove the yoke.
Some were the newer flat top frames generally in the 207,196 – 209,878 range, with a few round tops also reported in that range. These '46 contract guns had WW I surplus 1917 smooth grips. These guns are also stamped "MADE IN U.S.A.". However, the butt serial #s read with barrel to the left like all post war hand ejectors, and is the easiest way to know which contract the gun was built for.

Jim,
You keep saying that, but I've never seen or heard of a flat top Brazilian shipped in the 46 batch. Can you point me to a letter or ship date that proves a flat top shipped in the 46 batch?

 

[Model19man]

It's a nice piece. I had a similar Model 1937 that I bought at a gun show in Dallas Market Hall around 1989. The dealer told me he bought a barrel containing hundreds of them packed in grease. Mine had no finish, the same grips as yours but beat up pretty good. It was very accurate with handloaded 45 ACP 230 grain FMJ's over Bullseye.

Traded mine to a friend for a new Thompson M1911. Big mistake. Hang onto yours, it is the best one that is possible I think. Bet it's a great shooter!

 

[Teddydog]

There was an article about the BEF in a recent American Rifleman.

My 1937 is in the 200xxx range and is one that was parkerized. Looks good for that, but obviously the original revolver from this thread in 2019 is AMAZING.


rob