HI all,

I am looking at .455 Webley cal (I think converted to .45 Auto) Triple Lock, serial 4XX in excellent mechanical condition with about 80% finish (pics attached). It has a few light scratches in the blue (I guess it was a war gun after all), Birmingham proofs, "Not English Made" & 45 AR stamped on the barrel...any one know what the 45AR means please?...I am guessing .45 Auto Rim.
I can probably fet it for $1750 is this reasonable? I have never had a Triple Lock before and don't really know much about pricing one.

I have a M1917 US Army and some newer P&R N frames but this gun really appeals to me for some reason

Cheers

Mike

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N frame fanatic

She is pretty my friend. Worth it? Well you have to ask your self, when will you see another sweetheart that you can take home for (&^$#(^$). Here I would think it a bit on the high side, offer the owner what you are comfortable with and take it from there. Kyle

It looks like a nice gun, but high for one that has been converted to .45 ACP or AR. They may be rare in Australia which may drive the price higher, but at $1750 (AUD or USD) it is well over two times for what one would sell here in the US.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Thanks for the replies

Yeah they are not real common over here but I thought that was a bit high.

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N frame fanatic

Here, I would say that is a $1000 gun on a good day.
There, I can't say.
Yes, "45 AR" means 45 Auto Rim.
How is it converted? Did they recess the rims, or face off the rear of the cyl? If no serial number on rear of cyl, they faced it off. I can't tell from the angle of the pics.

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Regards,
Lee Jarrett

Looking at the photos, it looks like the cylinder is tight to the recoil shield. Most likely by cutting clearance for the rims. Its a pretty gun, and If I found one in that condition for Lee's $1000, I'd be tempted.

Also be aware there are 2 triple locks with the serial number. S&W restarted the serials at "1" in the .455 sequence. It means almost all T/Ls lower than maybe 5200 have a twin, mostly 44 Special and .455. Just an interesting tidbit.

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Dick Burg

I'm personally not a fan of converted guns. You generally never know
the full story, and like now with you as the potential buyer, you have
to deal with questions that don't get answered. The same issues
will come up again, when you go to sell the gun. Too many stories.

Mike Priwer

$1750 AUD is currently around $1800 USD, so no, not a good price.
I have it's brother (Serial 7xx) and it hasn't been converted.
I also know who the original officer was that owned it. He was a Doctor from Australia (Graduated Medical School in 1911 at Adelaide) and joined the RAMC in 1915, served in France , awarded an M.C. and was invalided out in
1918. (Also "Mentioned in Despatches" once.) After the war, he went back to Australia and I haven't been able to track him any farther. I would figure mine is in the $1100-$1200 range with the history and holster.

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Dean
SWCA #680 SWHF #446

Mike,

Is this #428? If so I can tell you that the dealer who has it paid $900 plus premium at the Australian Arms Auctions sale in October, 2007.

It was part of the Colin Dobson collection. Colin purchased many of his guns in the U.S. and I suspect that this came from there. It was never the practice in Australia to convert the Triple Locks that came back with WW1 veterans. Those will always be found to still be .455.

I have quite a few of Colins' guns that I purchased at the auction. I also have a very high condition (98%) English commercial triple lock that was also Colins' but which I acquired from this same dealer a couple of years ago. The price was $1950 but I offered $1650 and he accepted with alacrity.

I saw #428 only last Saturday but didn't ask to handle it. It's not worth the $1950 he had on the tag and if you were keen you could probably get it for less than $1750.

Best Wishes,

Frank S. SWCA2052.