S&W 1917 (Brazilian Model 37) .45 ACP

[Riflechair]

Hello guys

This may not be an oddity for you but it is for me.
This is my recently aquired Smith & Wesson model 37 made by the US on contract for the Brazilian government. She is chambered in .45 ACP and is a kissing cousing of the US model 1917. Same design except this model had a more advanced rear sight.

Brazilian Model 1937 Smith & Wesson (picture)

Do any of you have any insights as to he production numbers of this model and possibly a link regarding a serial number tracking system so that I can evaluate her year of manufacture?

She is a real sweetie.
I love her to bits

The revolver is a 'N' frame and is much larger than I thought she would be.
Extremely sexy, and even better, I don't need to pick my brass out of the grass. I think I'll sell my 1911A1

Thanks Guys

The Brazilian Model 1937 Smith & Wesson


An original Model 1917

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[Claven2]

I don't wish to rain on your parade Riflechair, but the M1937 .45ACP revolver is an EXACT copy of the M1917.

Here's what it looked like when issued:

(pic shamelessly stolen from an auction site ad)

I suspect yours has been modified since being surplused.

These were al made by S&W and you can even get them papered today by Smith & Wesson. Roy Jinks is their historian, yes, the same fellow who wrote all those S&W collector reference books. I think S&W is charging around $25 for the letter. They're nice - I've had guns lettered by them before.

[Riflechair]

Don't worry bro you're not raining on my parade.
I'm just looking for accurate information.
I have already seen that picture - did some internet research myself.
However your post hasn't really assisted me in obtaining some model clarification.

Thank You for the post though.
Happy (almost) new year every one

Richard

[Claven2]

Yes, I figured you had seen that pic - it's in a popular location

In any event, I've handled maybe 15 of these M1937 revolvers personally and have owned one too. They did not ever have adjustable sights when manufactured - that's for certain. If yours is some kind of Brazilian National Match model or something, then I'll be very happy for you If not, hey, What does S&W want for a new model 625 these days?? $1100 or so in Canada? You've got basically the same thing, though not stainless.

FWIW, these were made by S&W in the USA and shipped to Brazil. They were NOT made in Brazil like some silly auctioneers will tell you. Most of the order was filled pre-WW2. The outstanding guns were delivered in 1945.

As I recall, these hit the surplus market about hte same time as ll those nice, unissued M1908's did back in the late 1980's, early 1990's.

In terms of model designation, these were designated the Modelo 1937 by Brazil. The 1937 refers to year of adoption, not year of manufacture. Mfgr dates are from 1938 to 1945, but I think you need a letter from S&W to pin it down closer than that.

They are just a US Model 1917 S&W built for Brazil. Bear in mind there are two US Model 1917 revolvers in .45ACP. The S&W model and the Colt model. The Brazilian Modelo 1937 is the former.

[sdh1911]

A ltlle butchers wax and some 0000 steel wool and she'll look as good as new. I owned one of those many years ago, in my hand gun days. It shot great and was a lot of fun re0loading with the 1/2 moons. Enjoy the gun its a lot of fun to shoot.-SDH

[green]

From "S&W 1857-1945" "In 1938 25000 were made for the Brazilian Government".