S&W 1917 Brazilian Contract, Import or not?

bigtire

March 16, 2016 10:16

I have a Brazilian Contract S&W 1917 D.A. 45 with 1937 Brazilian Crest, SN 165,7XX. I have gathered from the little bit of research I have done that this is a very early Brazilian Contract 1917. There also seems to be a vast difference in value between import an non-import guns. I cannot find any modern import marks. If it is an import, where is it marked and what is it marked with?

Thanks

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  JohnnyBGood

  March 16, 2016 10:20

  Import marks were not required prior to (off the top of my head) 1986.
  
  If it did have import marks, they would be in a fairly prominent location.
  
  Johnny
  
  ADDED: Sorry, you asked what the import mark would consist of. It would be the name and location of the importer, such as C.A.I. ST. ALBANS, VT (Century Arms International, Saint Albans,Vermont).

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  rufe-snow

  March 16, 2016 11:10

  The Brazilian Contract 1917's, were imported in the late 80's. This was before the feds, standardized the size and location of markings.
  
  Look on the underside of the barrel. Very small, hard to see lettering. Use a magnifying glass, and go over the barrel, very closely.

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  amparts

  March 17, 2016 07:53

  check the inside of the frame in the crane recess area or on bottom of barrel on flat. Usually IA CO SAC CA.

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  nmyers

  March 17, 2016 12:42

  Import markings were required starting in 1968.
  
  Most of those that you will find are from a batch imported in the 1970's. All were import marked. Condition of most was not very good, & they were refinished (parkerized).
  
  I have seen a few Brazilian contract guns in excellent condition & with the original polished blue finish; I don't know how these got into the country, but I believe that these are the ones that have a high value.
  
  So, if yours has a rough black finish & import markings, value is not very high.
  
  Neal

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