The Federative Republic of Brazil, which comprises half the continent of South America and is the only Latin American country deriving its culture and language from Portugal, has an area of 3,286,488 sq. mi. (8,511,965 sq. km.) and a population of *169.2 million. Capital: Brasilia. The economy of Brazil is as varied and complex as any in the developing world. Agriculture is a mainstay of the economy, while only 4 percent of the area is under cultivation. Known mineral resources are almost unlimited in variety and size of reserves. A large, relatively sophisticated industry ranges from basic steel and chemical production to finished consumer goods. Coffee, cotton, iron ore and cocoa are the chief exports.
Brazil was discovered and claimed for Portugal by Admiral Pedro Alvares Cabral in 1500. Portugal established a settlement in 1532 and proclaimed the area a royal colony in 1549. During the Napoleonic Wars, Dom Joao VI established the seat of Portuguese government in Rio de Janeiro. When he returned to Portugal, his son Dom Pedro I declared Brazil’s independence on Sept. 7, 1822, and became emperor of Brazil. The Empire of Brazil was maintained until 1889 when the federal republic was established. The Federative Republic was established in 1946 by terms of a constitution drawn up by a constituent assembly. Following a coup in 1964 the armed forces retained overall control under a dictatorship until civilian government was restored on March 15, 1985. The current constitution was adopted in 1988.
NOTE: Brazil used a number of Colt Model 1911A1 pistols (Pst M1911A1). These pistols are still in service in second line units. Mauser shipped a few hundred Model 1912/14 pistols to Brazil. In the 1930s about 500 Mauser Schnellfeuer pistols were purchased and a few are still in service. Brazil has also purchased the Beretta Model 92 from Italy. In the 1980s Brazil began to produce its own version of the Colt 1911A1 known as the Imbel M973. Other variations of this pistol have been produced in 9×19, 9×17, and .38 Super. No examples of these pistols are known in the U.S.
Smith & Wesson Model 1917
Similar the U.S. Model 1917 revolver. Chambered for the .45 automatic cartridges. 25,000 were produced with the Brazilian crest and date 1937 on the frame. Many Brazilian contract guns were imported since 1986. Some were in well used condition.
Exc. |
V.G. |
Good |
Fair |
750 |
525 |
400 |
325 |
Brazil has used or is using in second line units the U.S. M3 gun, the Beretta Model 12, the H&K MP5 and MP5SD. Brazil has additionally issued the Walther MPK. A few Thompson M1s and U.S. Reisings are used as well.
URU Model 2
Chambered for the 9mm parabellum cartridge and fitted with a 7-inch barrel with slotted barrel jacket. Made of stampings with round receiver. Forward magazine acts as a handgrip. Magazine capacity is 30 rounds. Detachable wooden butt or steel single strut stock. Rate of fire is about 750 rounds per minute. Weight is about 6.5 lbs. Produced in Brazil at Bilbao SA in Sao Paulo.
Pre-1968
Exc. |
V.G. |
Fair |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
Brazil uses the HK 33E, the M16 (Model 614), the M16A2, and the FN FAL and variations, built under license from FN. The Brazilian military also uses the U.S. M1 rifle converted to 7.62 NATO caliber.
M1894 Rifle
Similar to the Spanish Model 1893 but with a cylindrical bolt head. Barrel length is 29 inches. Chambered for the 7×57 cartridge. Magazine is flush mounted and has a 5-round capacity. Adjustable rear sight from 400 to 2,000 meters. Brazilian crest on receiver ring. Produced by DWM and FN.
Exc. |
V.G. |
Good |
Fair |
750 |
500 |
250 |
175 |
M1894 Carbine
As above but with 18-inch barrel and adjustable rear sight to 1,400 meters. No bayonet lug.
Exc. |
V.G. |
Good |
Fair |
750 |
500 |
300 |
175 |
M1904 Mauser-Verueiro Rifle
Chambered for the 6.5×58Pmm cartridge, this model was fitted with a 29-inch barrel. Tangent sight graduated to 2,000 meters. Brazilian crest on receiver ring. Produced by DWM.
Exc. |
V.G. |
Good |
Fair |
750 |
550 |
400 |
250 |
M1907 Rifle
Built by DWM from 1904 to 1906. Sold to Brazil in 1907. Chambered for the 7×57mm cartridge. Pistol grip stock. Fitted with a 29-inch barrel. Tangent rear sight graduated to 2,000 meters. Built by DWM. Brazilian crest on receiver ring.
Exc. |
V.G. |
Good |
Fair |
750 |
475 |
250 |
150 |
M1907 Carbine
As above with shorter barrel. Produced from 1907 to 1912 by DWM.
Exc. |
V.G. |
Good |
Fair |
750 |
475 |
250 |
150 |
M1908 Rifle
Similar in appearance to the Gew 98. Chambered for the 7×57mm cartridge. Built by DWM between 1908 and 1914. Fitted with a 29.25-inch barrel. Magazine capacity is 5 rounds. Tangent rear sight graduated to 2,000 meters. Brazilian crest on receiver ring.
Brazilian Model 1908 Mauser, leather action cover and bayonet. Stock cartouche and receiver crest shown • Courtesy Rock Island Auction Company
Exc. |
V.G. |
Good |
Fair |
675 |
450 |
250 |
150 |
M1908 Short Rifle
Same as the Model 1908 rifle but with a 22-inch barrel.
Exc. |
V.G. |
Good |
Fair |
750 |
450 |
250 |
150 |
Bayonet for Brazilian Mauser
Wood grips. 11.75-inch single edge blade. Made by Weyersberg, Kischbaum & Co. Solingen. Leather scabbard with brass fittings. Price range 75 – 25.
M1922 Carbine
Chambered for the 7×57mm cartridge and fitted with a 19.5-inch barrel. Magazine capacity is 5 rounds. Tangent rear sight graduated to 1,400 meters. Built by FN. Weight is about 6.5 lbs.
Exc. |
V.G. |
Good |
Fair |
850 |
500 |
300 |
150 |
VZ 24 Short Rifle
This rifle was built in Czechoslovakia and sold to Brazil in 1932. Bent bolt handle with flat bolt knob. Finger grooves in forend. Czech markings (BRNO). About 15,000 sold to Brazil.
Exc. |
V.G. |
Good |
Fair |
850 |
675 |
400 |
200 |
M1935 Mauser Banner Rifle
Chambered for the 7×57mm cartridge. Fitted with a 28.75-inch barrel. Magazine capacity is 5 rounds. Tangent rear sight graduated to 2,000 meters. Brazilian crest on receiver ring. Finger grooves in forend. Weight is about 10 lbs.
Exc. |
V.G. |
Good |
Fair |
850 |
575 |
350 |
175 |
M1935 Mauser Banner Carbine
As above but with 21.5-inch barrel. Rear sight graduated to 1,400 meters. Bent bolt handle. Stock cut to accommodate the downturn of the bolt handle. Mauser banner logo on the receiver ring. Brazilian crest on receiver ring. Weight is about 9 lbs.
Exc. |
V.G. |
Good |
Fair |
850 |
600 |
400 |
200 |
M1908/34 Short Rifle
Built in Brazil at Itajuba. The stock for this model used local wood and not European walnut. Chambered for the .30-06 cartridge. Fitted with a 23.5" barrel. Tangent rear sight graduated to 2,000 meters. Weight is about 9.75 lbs. Brazilian crest on receiver ring. Manufacturer’s markings on side rail.
Exc. |
V.G. |
Good |
Fair |
550 |
375 |
250 |
150 |
M1954 Caliber .30-06 Short Rifle
The final Mauser model used by Brazil. Made at Itajuba. Caliber .30-06. Fitted with a 23.25” barrel. Muzzle is threaded for attachment of a grenade launcher. Tangent rear sight graduated to 2,000 meters. Pistol grip stock with finger grooves. Nose cap fitted with a bayonet lug. Cupped buttplate, similar to 98K Mauser. Weight is about 8.75 lbs. Brazilian crest on receiver ring.
Exc. |
V.G. |
Good |
Fair |
550 |
375 |
250 |
150 |
Model 1954 Semi-Automatic Rifle
Based on the German G-43, built at a Brazilian arsenal. Caliber 30-06. A small quantity were imported by Springfield Armory in the late 1980s.
Exc. |
V.G. |
Good |
Fair |
1800 |
1200 |
900 |
600 |
The Brazilian military uses a wide variety of machine guns. They are: the FN MAG, Browning M1919A4, the Browning .50 M2 HB, the Danish Madsen converted to .30 caliber, and even the Hotchkiss LMG in 7mm. The Brazilian military has also developed, in the 1990s, its own design called the Uirapuru GPMG in 7.62×51mm.
Model 1954 semi-automatic rifle