S&W Brazilian Question

Need help finding an Indy Gun, want to discuss film used guns...

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binkmeisterRick
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S&W Brazilian Question

Post by binkmeisterRick »

Okay, so I've been scouting the local gun hops recently and came upon yet another find: a Smith and Wesson Brazilian Model in .45 ACP with a 5" barrel and a handful of clips. Here's the first kicker... they want only $235 for it. It feels pretty nice, the bore has a couple of light spots in it, but otherwise looks pretty good. It's got the black grips with medalion logo, too.

There's one thing about it that raises an eyebrow, which brings me to my main question. The finish is not what I would expect from a handgun of this era. Whereas my Victory has a smooth blueing, this Brazillian has a gray finish which feels more rough to the touch. Not that it's spackled or anything, but rather it feels more like a "rough" smooth than a "smooth" smooth, if that makes any sense. It makes me think of a battleship grey finish somewhat, although the gun doesn't look as if it's been spray painted.

The guy at the counter didn't know enough about the gun to tell if the finish was original or not. So I'm wondering if there were any other types of finishes to guns of this era, or if this particular S&W has a bad refinish job on it. I don't have a way to get a picture of the gun else I'd post it.

But $235 seems like a steal for a Brazilian revolver which appears to be in otherwise good condition. It's been cleaned and test fired, so I'm not too worried about it's shootability. I'm wondering if it's sounds like a good buy to convert into an Indy gun, having it refinished if nothing more. Any feedback?
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Pyroxene
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Post by Pyroxene »

These guns were ordered by and sold to the Brazilian Navy, I believe. There's no tellin what kind of finish it could have.

It could have been sandblasted and then refinished with something. To convert it to an Indy gun, it would probably need to be stripped and reblued.

Just my thoughts.
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Post by binkmeisterRick »

That's what I'd want to do to it if I got the gun. Any idea how much a reblue job should cost me? And for $235 does it sound like a steal? Heck, I can even put it on layaway for 90 days!

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RonC
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Post by RonC »

Bink, it sounds as if it might have a parkerized finish on it, which is a non-reflective military finish, meant to cut down on corrosion. It can be easily removed by a competent gunsmith and reblued. Pyro and I just happen to know such a competent gunsmith! I'd buy it if I were you, my friend!

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Post by binkmeisterRick »

When I asked, the guy said it's been sitting in the case since January or so. Even though it's a steal of a price, I'll still have to finance it somehow. But if I can put it on layaway, then heck, I just might have to get it. Besides, there's always Camp Renderking... :wink:

Is the parkerized finish usually a gray? It feels "smooth" like an unfinished piece of wood, as opposed to when it's been glazed.

And who is this gunsmith of which you speak (assuming I'm missing the obvious answer here)?

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Post by RonC »

Parkerizing usually has a semi-rough feel to it, but it can be smoothed by handling over an extended period of time. Without actually seeing the revolver, it would be difficult for me to make a good assessment as to the finish.

The gunsmith to whom I refer is Tip Burns of Canyon Lake, Texas. He can be reached at 830-935-3338. He's pretty good at creating "Indy revolvers."
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Post by binkmeisterRick »

I did a little research online and found that parkerizing on guns back then varied in colour and feel. I'm thinking now that it is indeed parkerized. It's just I've never seen a gun parkerized quite like this one.

Thanks for the help and info, Ron. I just might call Tip and ask him some questions! :D

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Post by RonC »

PLease do call Tip. He's very helpful and easy to work with. Tell him I said hi, if you do.

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Post by binkmeisterRick »

Before I read your current post, I called Tip and spoke to his wife, I believe. ("I'm the secretary, the cook, and the bottle washer.") Tip wasn't in, but she was VERY nice. She's going to have him call me back.

I said that I was on the IndyGear forum and that Tip's services came recommended. She even mentioned your name, to which I told her YOU were the one who recommended me! It sounds like these are great people to do business with. I'm looking forward to Tip's call.

I think I'm just gonna have to scrape my pennies together and get that S&W! :wink:

I'll keep you posted.

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P.S. As far as reblueing goes, what kind of blue should the Indy revolver be? She said there are blues which vary in colour (some almost brown) and finish (glossy or matte). Any suggestions?
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Post by RonC »

Of course, the revolvers used in the movie were quite worn, with a least some of the blue worn off altogether! Lee and Michaelson will have more info on that issue, I'm sure. Tip has the ability to re-blue your revolver. My suggestion is to let him re-blue (hot-blued, either matte or polished) and let it wear naturally. Tip and his wife are, as we say, "salt of the earth" people...very honest and good to do business with. If you wish to give it a "worn" appearance after getting it re-blued, give me a shout...I've done that to a few of my own revolvers.

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Post by binkmeisterRick »

Tip just called me back. In fact, he thinks he may have even read part of this thread! What a great guy to talk to. I really hope I can do business with him someday soon.

Ron, he told me he just did an Indy revolver for you with the barrel cut and ramped sights. Can you post a pic (assuming it's not already up here somewhere) or a link to that particular gun? Tip said I should take a look at the work he did for you.

Thanks! :wink: bink
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Post by RonC »

Pyro has the S&W with the ramp sight...the one Tip did for me now resides in SoCal with Dr_J. The one he just completed for me has the "Stembridge" type front sight on it. At the moment I have no way of posting pics, but I'm sure Pyro can assist!
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Post by Pyroxene »

I can post if you email me the pic.

Here's a pic of my Smith with the new front sight.

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Post by binkmeisterRick »

Okay, here's the latest. I went back to look at the gun again to see if I'd drool over it as much as the first time I saw it. It's still there and this time I got to speak with a fellow who had a better clue about the gun.

As I was beginning to suspect, it's NOT an original parkerized finish. He said someone put the current finish on it sometime later, but it definitely wasn't done by the Brazilian military. He said he's seen a number of Brazilians, some better, some worse. I asked him if the $235 was a good price for this particular gun, and he said it was a fair price. The ugly refinish took a chunk out of it's value as a collector's piece, but he's seen worse. His input was that these guns should run from about $150 to $300 or so depending upon condition. ($150 being a parts gun.)

If I get the revolver, there's no doubt in my mind that I'd have to get it completely reblued at very least, which could cost me upwards of $200 bucks. Should I pass on this particular revolver and wait for one in better shape, or does the price still seem too good to be true, especially with the black checkered medalion grips?
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