MKII Cylinder For Triple Lock Project?

delta-419 · #1 08-17-2018, 01:31 PM

Will an early MKII cylinder fit a triple lock frame? The MKII is about .002 longer than the .44 cylinder (if I measured right) My project TL is a .44Spl with a ruptured barrel. I want to install a TL barrel in .455 Webley and a MKII cylinder in .45 Colt. What modifications do I need to plan for in this project. Appreciate your suggestions.

RMFnLA · #2 08-17-2018, 01:52 PM

I haven't owned a Webley in years but the photos I pulled up show the cylinder locking recesses all wrong for the S&W layout.

Have you come up with a solution for that?

delta-419 · #3 08-17-2018, 04:42 PM

The S&W MKII was a British contract revolver starting in 1914, it is chambered for the British .455 Webley. The ejector star ratches look pretty close. I know that the TL locks from the front as opposed to the MKII, but I plan on using the TL ejector rod and center pin. Has anyone done that? Or can it be done?

Hondo44 · #4 08-19-2018, 04:34 AM

The only difference of the TL 455 Mk II cyl from the S&W 455 Mk II 2nd model cyl is:

The TL ctr pin is .020" larger in diameter at the rear end than the 2nd Model ctr pin. Therefore the 2nd Model hole in the extractor star will need to be enlarged accordingly.

delta-419 · #5 08-20-2018, 01:22 PM

Thanks Jim. that was what I was thinking

Hondo44 · #6 08-20-2018, 03:17 PM

You're welcome. That'll make a great project. It'll be like the very 1st dozen TLs made for the Army trials of 1906 chambered in 45 S&W Special.

Is the TL 455 barrel marked 455? Even better if not! Or if the barrel needs to be blued, you could remove the 455 mark following Smith & Wesson.

Can't wait to see that one when done.

deadin · #7 08-20-2018, 03:38 PM

I'm assuming the "Mark II" you are talking about is the .455 Hand Ejector 2nd Model??

If so it seems a shame to destroy a 2nd Model cylinder when there are so many 2nd's that have been shaved to accommodate 45 AR or moon clips with 45 ACP. (Or has the cylinder in question already been dinked with??)

Hondo44 · #8 08-20-2018, 05:04 PM

Yes, correct, using the Mark II English designation for the 455 2nd Model.

Because he's asking about differences from the Mk II Triple Lock cyl.

Smith 's Mark II refers only to the 455 Mk II cartridge chambering and applies to all three S&W 455 model cyls: 44 1st Model TL conversions to 455, 455 1st Model TL or 455 2nd Model.

But if I read it correctly his 455 Mk II cyl already chambered in 45 COLT, but I could be wrong. A lot more of those around since there are 70,000 something 2nd Models vs. a little over 6000 TL cyls.

delta-419 · #9 08-21-2018, 11:45 AM

I acquired the cylinder already bored thru for the 45 Colt chambering. The 44 triple lock that will be converted has a ruptured barrel (crack) just behind the front sight, it has also been nickel plated along the way. I will use the ejector rod assembly and center pin from the 44 for the cylinder. I wonder if the TL ejector star will work with the 45 Colt case.?? I plan to send the gun to Fords for stripping of the nickel as soon as I break it down. Roy says it left the factory in 1909 as a blue gun, so I will polish and slow rust blue it. Its on my bench along with 3 Winchester 1894s that exceed 100 years old each. I love this hobby and this forum.

Hondo44 · #10 08-21-2018, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by delta-419

I acquired the cylinder already bored thru for the 45 Colt chambering. The 44 triple lock that will be converted has a ruptured barrel (crack) just behind the front sight, it has also been nickel plated along the way. I will use the ejector rod assembly and center pin from the 44 for the cylinder. I wonder if the TL ejector star will work with the 45 Colt case.?? I plan to send the gun to Fords for stripping of the nickel as soon as I break it down. Roy says it left the factory in 1909 as a blue gun, so I will polish and slow rust blue it. Its on my bench along with 3 Winchester 1894s that exceed 100 years old each. I love this hobby and this forum.

Advantages of using the original 44 extractor star:

1. The ratchets are properly fit to the hand in the gun.
2. The center pin hole is the correct size.

Disadvantages of using the original 44 star:

1. Do the two alignment pins in the 45 Cyl align with the holes in the 44 TL extractor?
2. The 44 extractor has a smaller diameter than the 45 case, so each of the 6 half circles of the 44 Ext star will need to be VERY slightly enlarged at the widest points to the diameter of the 45 case. This is quite simple and can be done with a Dremel tool and polishing wheel.
3. The tips of the star may need slight fitting to nest correctly in the 45 cyl.

My preference would be using the original 45 star from the 45 cyl which is much simpler, all the original internal parts of the 44 extractor rod assembly should work fine once the hole is enlarged. You can test the timing of the 45 ext star in the 44 frame by installing the 45 cyl and extractor star but leaving out the ctr pin. Just hold the yoke closed and cycle the action in both single and double action. And you can save the 44 extractor star with the 44 cyl for another possible project.

Note, since you are proficient in rust bluing, may I suggest that you strip the nickel with the kit from Brownells? You'll save a great deal on time and also on cost.

Also I'm sending you a PM.