Quote:
Originally Posted by RoninPhx
I have a triple lock i have been researching for a number of years.
it is a MarkI having the full ejector shroud.
it is a three digit, of the 5000 number.
has no caliber marking on barrel but has british pressure proof marks
on cylinder, etc.
It was at some point coming back here converted to .45 Colt.
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That's a fantastic history you've compiled of the gun's provenance!
The serial # will help us determine for you if it's a 1st or 2nd version Triple Lock built for the British contract, unless it's a duplicated #.
There are three basic versions of .455 chambered Hand Ejector revolvers made by S&W under contract to the British for WW I. All three groups include some triple locks:
1. “.44 HE - 1st Model”, ‘Triple Lock’, .455 Mark II chambering: 812* factory reconfigured, unassembled or unsold ".44 Spl HE 1st Models", often not stamped .455, original chamberings unknown but most or all were likely originally .44 Spl. For the British there are 666 #s1104 thru 10417 (obviously not all serial #s in this range were used for the 666). The extra 146 in serial range #s 9858-10007 went to the commercial market; 123 in England and 23 in the US [N&J pgs. 204-205]. These 812 .455 TLs were serial #’d in the .44 1st Model serial # range of 1 to 15375.
* SCSW reports "over 800", but by shipped serial # count, it’s actually 812, 146 of which are commercial guns [S&W N&J pgs. 203, 204 & 205].
2. “.455 Mark II HE - 1st Model TL” in the new .455 British serial # range 1 to #5461 [H of S&W pg. 201] made 1914-15. Thus creating 63* duplicate serial #s with the 666 “.44 HE 1st Model TL” chambered in .455, 1st version above.
*There are 63 duplicate TL #s existing of the 666 contract listed numbers of .44 HE TLs chambered in .455 (1st version), #s1104-3320 in the .44 HE #range - not all inclusive, known and listed, with 63 of the .455 HE 1st Model TLs (2nd version) #s 1–5461 in the Brit contract # range.
If converted to 45 Colt the correct way, it will still safely shoot the 455 MK I & MK II as well.