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11/8/2019 12:08:46 PM

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Section 8: Handguns
Subject: M-37 Msg# 1060496

From:

TJ Parmele

Joined 6/1/2005

To:

Mark Freburg (Read) Forum Manager

Joined 4/3/2000

Interestingly the initial shipment in 1937 were all made from new parts but the second shipment in 1946 was made up of some left-over, some new parts. The frame cut for the rear sight notch was wider on post-WWII frames but the Brazilian contract guns made from leftover frames in 1946 had the narrower rear sight notch indicative of the WWI frame.

I appreciate the correction. This is indeed NEAT stuff. I THINK my snub-nosed 1917 is a Brazilian contract.

You're right that the contract with Brazil was for 25k pistols, but they were not supplied in serial number order and can be found all the way from 1 to 210000. guns made after S&W added the new style hammer block in 1947 has an "S" prefix added to the serial. Shipments were completed in 1948.
When you think about it, this is a strange contract. Why go for a honking revolver when semi-autos such as the 1911 would have probably been a better choice? So production / assembly from 1937 to 1948? That's a LONG time for a shipment of 25,000 revolvers. That's only 2272 a year. More of an afterthought of production than a real contract IMHO. Ya gotta wonder about the thinking behind those kind of production numbers.

I used to really love these guns. I like the looks of the Colts better, being a Colt revolver guy in my heart, but the S&Ws fit the hands better. I'd still love to own a Colt M1917, but they're pricey. Owning the S&W Hand Ejector Target I do makes having a Smith M1917 superfluous.

I still like them. They shoot great, look monstrously stylish, and seem right at home in any film or historical setting from WWI to well... recently.

I don't like them at all...

Image below from TJ Parmele - Image Title: Model 1917 and 625-2
Image Info: Smith and Wesson Model 1917 and 625-2

Image below from TJ Parmele - Image Title: 1917 and 625-2
Image Info: Model 1917 and 625-2 Smith and Wesson revolvers in .45 ACP

Image below from TJ Parmele - Image Title: Smith 1917 Converted
Image Info: This is a slightly different version of a Smith and Wesson 1917. Barrel has been changed to something akin to most likely chambered in .45 Colt. The surface also looks to have been re-finished in a black oxide. Trigger is ok. The Double Action lockwork needs smoothing up and I am probably going to replace the stocks.

Image below from TJ Parmele - Image Title: Revolvers in Auto Calibers
Image Info: Top to Bottom: Smith & Wesson 1917 .45 ACPSmith & Wesson 610 10MMSmith & Wesson 940 9MM

Image below from TJ Parmele - Image Title: S&W Model 1917
Image Info: Here is a Non-Brazilian S&W Model 1917. I do have plans to find original grips for it and get a factory letter.

For reference, the above message is a reply to a message where:
Interestingly the initial shipment in 1937 were all made from new parts but the second shipment in 1946 was made up of some left-over, some new parts. The frame cut for the rear sight notch was wider on post-WWII frames but the Brazilian contract guns made from leftover frames in 1946 had the narrower rear sight notch indicative of the WWI frame.

You're right that the contract with Brazil was for 25k pistols, but they were not supplied in serial number order and can be found all the way from 1 to 210000. Guns made after S&W added the new style hammer block in 1947 has an "S" prefix added to the serial. Shipments were completed in 1948.

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