Please help identify and date this triple Lock S/N 3349




The gun is chambered in .455 Webley,All parts & grips match,finish (bluing )worn,no pitting
Other than S&W patent dated on barrel top no other stampings , none of the usual British marks could it be a Canadian gun

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age is just a number

Your gun shows standard British marks from the Royal Small Arms Factory Enfield.

Behind the cylinder is the broad arrow property mark and below the inspection/acceptance stamp with the E for Enfield.

In front of and on the cylinder is the crossed-pennant standard military proof.

Can’t help with the date.

I don’t know whether the gun ever went to Canada, but the Enfield stamps establish its physical presence in Britain. I think you are wondering about the absence of any commercial British post-war proofs. That just means it retired from British service in some way other than through a surplus dealer.

Would it be advisable to letter the gun or a waste of time?
Thanks for the help

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age is just a number

I agree with Absalom.

And as he posted, it left England thru "unofficial" channels.

You have the 2nd type 455 MK II, TL produced under contract for GB, “.455 Mark II HE - 1st Model TL”, none of which are reported to have shipped to or been used by the Canadians.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

Most likely it shipped in 1915.

Guy

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Guy
SWHF #474 SWCA LM#2629

I must be missing something. I thought the British Contract HE2s (that is, NOT TLs) were designated the Mark II by the British Army. That would make the TLs the Mark I, except I don't think they were actually given that designation.

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You're shy a few manners.

It's a crapshoot at best to guess at TL ship dates by serial number.

That said, here are a couple of numbers and dates to help you waste your time.

#3976----shipped February 23, 1909

#10688--shipped October 9, 1915

Ralph Tremaine

Jack,

You're correct. The 455 MK II as used by S&W refers to the cartridge for both the TLs and the 2nd Models:



The British referred to the 2nd Model as the MK II revolver and stamped it on the left side of the frame. And also correct, the TLs were not stamped MK I.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

Hi Ralph,

You're precisely right when referring to 44 HE 1st Models.

However, with reference to British contract TLs, the shipment dates are pretty well documented.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

I was afraid of that!!

RT

.455 Triple Lock #718 shipped to Remington UMC (British Purchasing Agent) on October 21, 1914.

(Probably in the first batch shipped from Remington to Britain.)

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Dean
SWCA #680 SWHF #446

Other than the exact ship date you'll get general background of the S&W British contract revolvers for WWI and the shipping location of Remington, the acquisition agent for the British.

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Jim
S&WCA #819