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MachinistTX
12-05-2005, 05:45 AM
I bought a 1917 smith a couple of days ago, and I'm curious about a couple of things.

1. I don't believe this to be a U.S. issue 1917 because it lacks the flaming bomb ordnance stamp and has no inspectors stamps. It does however have the lanyard swivel on the butt. Was there a commercial model of the 1917 sold with the lanyard swivel? It is marked "S&W D.A. 45" on the left side of the barrel

2. This revolver has a brazilian crest on the sideplate and 1937 stamped just below it. I'm assuming that this gun was shipped to brazil for military or police issue?

3. All the #'s match and most of the blue remains. Some of it is still in really good shape while other parts(the usual areas) are pretty thin or worn away. The case hardening colors are faint but still visible on the hammer and trigger.

Someone has replaced the extractor(absolutely no wear on the ratchet teeth) and when I popped the sideplate, it appeared that some of the internals have been replaced as well. Timing is slightly off(slow) on two chambers. It shoots better than I or my cousin could hold it despite a somewhat pitted, but shiny, bore.

What would you say is the approximate value of this revolver? Is this a commercial model or a military model? I plan on sending it back to S&W for a tune up and a factory letter after I ummm enjoy it for a month or so.

Steven Mace
12-05-2005, 05:48 PM
S&W Model Of 1917 - Brazilian Contract (http://images.gunsamerica.com/upload/976548839-1.jpg)

MachinistTX, these were officially known as the .45 Hand Ejector U.S. Service - Model Of 1917. Yours was made specifically for the Brazilian government. There were 25,000 made with all having the Brazilian crest on the sideplate. I've seen both plain and checkered walnut grips used and bluing tends to reflect the darker bluing used on commercial versions. All were chambered in .45 Auto Rim or .45 ACP (with or without using half-moon clips). I believe all versions of the S&W 1917's included a lanyard ring. These were shipped in two lots to Brazil. The first shipment was made in 1938 that included serial number range 181983-207043. The second shipment was made in 1946 and included serial number range 207196-207989. For a point of reference, the Blue Book Of Gun Values - 26th Edition lists the following values for the S&W 1917 Brazilian contract:

100% - $350
98% - $285
95% - $260
90% - $250
80% - $240
70% - $220
60% - $210

In 1988 about 14,000 of the were imported back into the USA.

Hope this helps!

Steve Mace

MachinistTX
12-06-2005, 10:28 AM
Yeah, thanks for the info. I had misplaced my Blue Book(still misplaced) and couldn't find it listed in anything else.