In "our" italian gun website I find today this old girl, apparently not in perfect shape- a shooter.
This revolver has been modified with a roughly pinned front sight and I can't identify the rear sight. As I read in the description, some kind of trigger job has been performed.
Blueing is worn, but decent for a shooter.
Stocks are not correct, they seem K frame vintage SILE grips.
What do you think about this possible purchase? The price requested is 350€ . Conversion in US dollars .... about 400 bucks.

Attached Images

	1352404.jpg (130.6 KB, 245 views)
	1352405.jpg (106.0 KB, 275 views)
	1352406.jpg (82.6 KB, 216 views)
	1352410.jpg (114.6 KB, 193 views)

Again some pics

Attached Images

	1352415.jpg (63.8 KB, 119 views)
	1352412.jpg (89.1 KB, 111 views)
	1352411.jpg (127.9 KB, 114 views)

That appears to be a .455 Hand Ejector 2nd Model from WWI. I see crossed pennants on the upper left front of the frame which would indicate it was in British hands during the war. How was the cylinder modified to chamber .45 Colt? One method is to mill the cylinder face which erases the serial number. Another method is to recess each chamber to allow the .45 Colt rim to sit below the cylinder face and provide head space. That also allows the revolver to continue to shoot .455 Webley ammunition. Anyway it has been highly modified. That price would be similar to what we would see asked in the US which is about 1/2 the value of an unmodified gun.

__________________
Guy
SWHF #474 SWCA LM#2629

Installing a set of factory S&W sights would allow you to lower the front sight considerably and make it look better. Someone did a pretty good job of adding a rib to the top of the barrel. The stocks look like they are probably from a K frame. I have no idea as to European prices, but I would probably shell out $400 for it as I am a 45 colt guy. Then again I don't need any more.

It is not a model 17 (they are 22 lr) Ittis not even a 1917. Its a 2nd model 455 (first models were triple locks) made for the British as Wiregrass stated.

Here is what it started life looking like.

The rear sight and front sight are both too high, in my opinion even if they work ok they just don't look right. $400 American would be about as much as I would go. I would have to really look at the sights, and make sure I could redo them to suit me.

Yes, it has been a keyboard mistake: I intended a 1917 . Btw it is not, either.

I'm seeing a bit too much "Bubba" in that gun. I'd pass.

I own a 4 cavity bullet mold that casts 4 different caliber bullets, one of which is the correct over size .45. If I asked here do I desperately need a revolver to fit that cavity we know what the answer would be, so, depending on my budget when I found it, I'd buy it for the U.S. $400 price. It would go well with my modified S&W 1917. I'd only change the stocks and cold blue the front sight. Even if the trough in the topstrap is not too wide for a post WWII adjustable sight, I would not want to lose the cross serrations that match the barrel rib. The tall sights are part of its character. Realistically its days of holster duty have long passed so there is no disadvantage to their height. It would make a fun reloading project.

I doubt the slot is to wide for a regular post was sight. Thecross hatches could be added by using a checkering cutter to mark them out or easier just draw file the serrations on top of the rib. More of a hassle to do something about the extra screw in the front. But, I could handle that too. But then I already have several 45 colts in 4" 5" 6" and one revolving carbine so I would pass. Just saying it could be made to look decent.

I bought a 2nd Model HE a lot like that one - bored out from .455 to .45 Colt, with Micro front and adjustable rear sights. I reload for it, and although it looks sort of Rugerish, I really enjoy shooting it. The conversion was done the right way with the cylinder/extractor star recessed to give the .45 cartridge heads the right clearance and all six numbers match. My gun has the very British "Not English Make" stamped on the barrel and the frame.

Well, $400 would probably not be too ridiculous here in the US. I don't know how rare or hard to find a .45 Colt revolver is in Europe, so I cannot say buy it / don't buy it. But I can't imagine that you couldn't find something better if you are patient.

Here in the US, that one would be considered pretty much "butchered" (meaning modified by an amateur without any real gun smithing skills). It looks like it was thrown together with whatever odds and ends the gunsmith had laying around or could fabricate without much effort. I would never buy something like that.

__________________
You're shy a few manners.

Actually, I agree. You used the same term I'd apply to it: butchered. It is so sad to see a 5-screw hookfish ( humpback?) triggered old specimen so heavily modified. I'll pass.

Hmm, I actually think whoever did the work did a nice job fabricating and fitting the rib to the barrel.
The height of the sights is right in line with what a lot of people used in the 50s and 60s for bullseye competition if they shot revolver.
Sterlslaver had a good take on how to address the top strap and rear sight.
At least it didn't get an overbuffed rebluing with the usual sideplate fitting issues.

I'd grab it for $400.00 !