I need to talk to an expert-or close to it- on a .455 H.E. Triple Lock. Please contact me if you can help.

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Jim
SWCA #2246

Is the serial number in the 13,000 range?

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No life story has happy end.

2800 range-1914 or so I think.

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Jim
SWCA #2246

This question makes me stop and question what I thought I knew. Most of the .455 TLs were numbered in their own series up to about 5000 or so, and a few of the .44 TLs were converted to .455 for the Brits but still maintained their serial numbers from the .44 HE series. I didn't think any of those were in the 13,000 range, though a few are known just above 10000.

If there are .455 TLs numbered above 13000, I guess I'd like to hear more about them. Just lookin' for knowledge...

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David Wilson

Jim;

It appears your questions are still unanswered, can you share them? Someone in Forum land probably knows the answers, just possibly not me .

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

DC is correct that there was a run of 5,000 TL in 455 serial numbered in their own range.And corr4ect about the converted ones.

There was also nearly 700 44 TL frames used and converted to 455 but were in the 44 TL serial number range. I say nearly 700 because I've heard two numbers for those converted, 666, and 691.

I also understand the converted ones did not extend beyond 10,000 serial number. There will be some duplicate serial numbers for these two runs. EX: a TL in 455 serail number 4200 from the individual run of 5,000 and serial number 4200 of a converted TL from the regular 44 TL range.

This is just an example, not a duplication I'm aware of. I believe Roy Jinks details the duplicate serial numbers in his book; The history of S&W 1852-1946 (earlier book, not the one he did for the 150th anniv).

Dave

As noted, several hundred were assembled and shipped in 1917 from left over parts (unsold Brit guns). The whole lot was rechambered to 45 Colt (barrel still says 455) and were sold to Shapleigh Hardware in St. Louis. I had 13747 until I sold it last year.

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No life story has happy end.

And I still have mine 13750... but I don't believe they were all converted at the same time because mine has the whole cylinder faced, and SP's had counterbored chambers (IIRC)

Yes, mine was counter bored so either they were done individually or by sending groups out to different shops.

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No life story has happy end.

The Shapleigh guns were NOT all converted to .45 Colt.

I have no. 12847 and it is still .455. I have not lettered this gun, but Roy has advised that it shipped Dec. 1917, at the same time as other Shapleigh guns, and further, that it would letter as chambered for .455 COLT. It was unusual for the records to be this precise.

Hi Jim. I haven't replied to your last email but will do so this weekend.

What information are you looking for?

FRANK S. SWCA2052

.455 COLT is same/same as .455 Mk1

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Dean
SWCA #680 SWHF #446

Frank- I lettered mine and the stated caliber was 455 Eley.

If you have one unmodified then apparently they were not all converted. I read that they were.

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No life story has happy end.

Those are three name for the same cartridge. I have also seen it called .455 Webley.

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You're shy a few manners.

The .455 Colt is a longer case. All of the Military and Commercial .455 T Locks are will chamber the longer case. No They did not convert all of them to .45 Colt.
DBWesson

The .455 Webley Mark II has a case length of 0.770 inches.

The .455 Webley Mark I case length is 0.880 inches. (The Brits really seem to like double numbers ). I believe the .455 Colt / .455 Eley are the same length as the Mark I.

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You're shy a few manners.