I found a nice early N-frame at the LGS today. It is a .455 Hand Ejector, second model. The gun is all original, with thinning blue, although the blue is darker on the cylinder than on the barrel and frame. Barrel is 6 1/2". The stocks appear original, but the medallions have been replaced with perfectly cut disks of wood. I'm guessing the medallions must have fallen out at some point. The gun has Canadian proof marks on the cylinder and frame. Cylinder is still chambered for .455 Webley. It has not been bored out to .45 Colt or shaved for .45 ACP either, as the serial number is still there on the cylinder face and .45 Colt is too long and won't chamber. All serial numbers match on barrel, butt and cylinder and the lanyard is still there. Lock-up is tight as a drum, surprising for a 100 year old gun! Serial number is 52xxx, dating it to 1916-17 according to SCSW. This was offered to me for $475, so I took a chance on it as I'm a sucker for old N-frames and I don't see that many pre-war specimins. I'm going to order some formed .455 brass from Buffalo Arms and get this old gal shooting again! I'd love to get some Fiocchi or Hornady ammo, but everyone is out of stock. Here are some pics:

You can probably find correct medallions, but I have never had the occasion to look for any. Maybe from a ratty beat-up old pair of the proper vintage (1911-1919) grips. Do the grips have the same SN as the frame? I think you did OK on the price as a shooter, but I'm not sure I'd want to scout up cases for it or be bothered reloading for it. I load many oddball calibers, but .455 is not one of them. I wonder if .45 ACP or .45 Colt reloading dies would work?

Thank you for your post. I've just rounded up a Colt New Service in .455 Eley ( Colt's name for it) to accompany a second model S&W hand ejector in .455 which will join a Mark VI Webley in .455 Webley. I've fired the Webley over the years with Mark II ammunition ( Hornady and Fiocchi cases). The trigger pull is definitely very military at about 7 lbs. It's difficult to hold a good group. I fired the Colt today, again with handloaded Mark II cases, and it was wonderful. A trigger pull of about 3 lbs and groups to 2 inches at 20 yards off the bench. I have yet to try the S&W hand ejector but I suspect it will be the best. I understand the shorter Mark II case burns the powder more efficiently than does the Mark I case. These are older revolvers and I don't plan on loading the cases beyond Mark II case specifications. I didn't chronograph my loads today but the specs call for a velocity of just under 700 f.p.s with 4.1 grains of Unique under the 265 grain military style hollow based bullet by R.C.B.S. I would be interested how you get on with your Mark I cases from Buffalo Arms. I gather they are formed from .45 Colt cases. Of interest was the micrometer measurement of a slugged bullet in the S & W bearing in mind there are only 5 grooves which is difficult to measure. I managed by wrapping some shim stock around the slug, taking the measurement and subtracting the thickness of the shim stock from the figure.

Welcome to the forum.

I doubt that it's been bored for something else. As required in the British contract, all 455s made for them by Smith are chambered for the longer 455 Mark I (Webly Mk I) so either cartridge could be used in case Mk II ammo inventory was exhausted.

It would only have to be bored for 45 Colt and you said that wouldn't chamber. It does not need boring for 45 ACP, it's already shorter than Mk II; the rear of cyl would need facing off for proper headspace with 1/2 moon clips, but you said the s/n is still there.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

Very nice! Get some .455 and enjoy it! I was out shooting my two 2nd Model HE's in .44 Special yesterday, they are so much fun to shoot!

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Life NRA, Life TSRA, C&R FFL

I would think 45 colt dies would work with the correct shell holder. The rim of the 455 is a bit wider and thinner than 45 colt. You might have to trim the bottom of of a crimp die down some to get it to crimp the shorter case though.

The medallions might still be there underneath those wooden plugs. The only way I can think of to see, is to Acraglas a small bolt, slightly smaller than the plug, for leverage to work them out. Of coarse, depending on what was used to glue them in, you might risk popping the medallions out too. It's beyond me why anyone would want to cover them up if they are still there.

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Jeb

The wood fillers can't be covering the gold plated brass medallions because although they are recessed they have a thin rim that's flush with the surface of the grip.

Also you'd be able to see the brass post sticking thru to the back of the grip.

Someone cannibalized them which is a shame because the stocks are in great shape otherwise. There are grip restorers that can fix them by replacing medallions.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

Remove the grips and look at the back side. You may be able to see where the medallions were crimped into them.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

It's not clear at full zoom, but I thought I could see a little of one brass rim.

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Jeb

Lee makes reloading dies, shell holder, etc.
Lee Carbide 3-Die Set 455 Webley Mark II

Other companies probably make them as well. Lee provides some load data. Old (like circa 1960) Lyman Reloading Manuals have data for both the Mark I & Mark II.

Buffalo Arms is a good source for brass (IIRC, they make it from Winchester .45 Colt brass). Hornady makes a .454", 255 grain "Cowboy" bullet that works fine.
Hornady Bullets 45 Cal (454 Diameter) 255 Grain Lead Flat Nose Box of

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You're shy a few manners.

By the way, I think that is a great price for an unmodified .455.

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You're shy a few manners.

I think it was a "steal" at $475. I would buy them by the six-pack at that price!

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Jeb

Thank you all for the great information and advice. I've got some brass on the way from Buffalo Arms and I'll get to loading once it arrives. It is indeed formed from .45 Colt but it says they use Starline brass now. I removed the stocks and unfortunately there are no medallions under the wood plugs. I'll keep my out out for some and repair the stocks if I find any.

Thank you for the good thread. Now that you mention it, I do vaguely remember something about Buffalo Arms switching to Starline brass to make converted cases. I bought a lifetime supply years ago so I am not really current on this. If you keep your eyes open, you may run across some Dominion cases and / or loaded ammunition on some dusty shelf of an old gun shop. Or some Fiocchi, but that will be Mark II only. (Note: .455 Colt = .455 Webley Mark I)

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You're shy a few manners.