Hi all,

I have just purchased a MK II HE in .455. It has British acceptance and other military marks on it. It has not been converted.

My first question for the experts is regarding some stamps on my S&W MkII .455 revolver. I understand the Enfield marks, the crossed penants and decom broad arrows (point to point) but there are a couple of other marks I haven't seen before I can only assume the are regimental/unit marks, rack numbers or some other service identifier. Can you guys help at all?

The first mark is the number 212(3)? on the right side below the S&W logo.

The second mark is a number 3 over the number 24.

The third mark is the number 39 stamped at the top of the backstrap just below the hammer

If anyone can enlighten me?

Thanks

Mike

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N frame fanatic

Are there other Stampings present elsewhere on the Revolver as well?

Is the dividing line between the 3 and the 24 of small Text? and, if so, what does it say?

Hey mate,

No just there. The lines are just lines..not text. I have seen these marks on other British military handguns of the period...just dont know what they mean

Cheers

MIke

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N frame fanatic

Just speculation, but I think you are correct in assuming this is a rack number or the like.

Really speculation, my guess is that the revolver was more or less rebuilt or extensively repaired by a British or Australian armory in March of 1924.

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You're shy a few manners.

Hey mate,

Thanks for that

it DOES remind me of the FTR 55 (Factory Thorough Refurbish 1955) marks you see on a lot of Victory models form the Aussie arsenal.

BUt then I have seen these with 3 digit numbers on the bottom as well......... :s

Cheers

Mike

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N frame fanatic

I've seen a number of these guns, but never those marks.
I'd guess the 3/24 ones indicate a unit. Or, maybe the date the gun left Crown stores.

I'm guessing this happened down there, or we'd have seen the marks more here on ex-Pom or Canadian guns.

Let us know what you learn. Might check the British Gun Pub forum on Gunboards. com The adjacent Lee-Enfield forum has several of your countrymen on it, BTW.

Hi Mike,


Just for fun, post a few images showing the old 2nd Mdl as a whole, so we can enjoy seeing it.

I am pretty fond of them myself.

Over here, so many have been 'converted', is rather seldom one finds or sees one still in the original .455 Chambering.

I agree with the previous poster: please post more pics of the gun, overall views.

Those "lines" you mention may be to mark out some previous stamping.

Can you get .455 ammo there?

Since some have 3 digit numbers where your "24" is, I would go with unit designation or similar.

It looks like a very fine old revolver. I too would love to see more pictures.

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You're shy a few manners.

Hey Lads,

Thanks for the replies.

Here are some more pics...being Australia this gun will sit in the LGS for probably another 6 weeks before my permit arrives. I will take better pics once I get it home.

As you can see it needs a clean and there is some green corosion/goop in the medalions . You may also be able to see the price tag. $395.00 which I thought was pretty good. There are still strong CCH colours on the trigger and hammer.

Oh yeah the serial is 39998 ...dont know when that puts it..I guess 1916-ish?

Cheers

Mike

The LGS website pic:



Additional private pics:

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N frame fanatic

From Bloomberg's currency converter:
That would be a very sweet deal in the US.

The condition of the revolver looks outstanding. I would imagine that .455 ammunition is readily available in Australia.

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You're shy a few manners.

Yes, very nice 455 mate, and a good price!

The green goop is verdigree and it's from moisture reacting with the brass under the gold plated logo. Here's how to get rid of it:


How to Clean Verdigris Stains on Leather From Brass | eHow.com

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Jim
S&WCA #819

Hey again

Glad to hear I got a good deal

Yeah we can find .455 ammo..not cheeap but its around.

Thanks for the info on cleaning too Honda

Cheers

Mike

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N frame fanatic

HEy can I ask...

The medailions are not flush with the grips correct? They are sort of sunken in on these oldies?

Cheers

Mike

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N frame fanatic

Correct, they are pre 1920.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

Hi S&W aussie,


It sure looks good!

If the gun is locared in Aussie I would say that the stamp of 3 with 24 under it represents the 3rd military district gun number 24. These military district markings show up on quite a wide variaty of commercial guns. The stamp would have been applied in WW2. It is not a Factory Through Repair or FTR type marking.


Regards


AlanD
Sydney

Hey Alan,

Yeah its in Melb. It has no DoD marks so it wil be a pommy gun. That makes a lot of sense though...I have seen the same marks on a Colt OP (38S&W)

Thanks for the input....I was going to try and get onto Ian Skennerton...he should have some ideas too.

Cheers

Mike
Brisbane

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N frame fanatic

What is the Stamping seen on the lower front left side?