.455 British Svc Revolver Research Thread

[RS2000CUSTOM]

Ahh the power of the internet !! Consecutive numbered guns find themselves again after over 110 years apart !!

I see you are UK based as well, glad yours wasn't trashed in the handgun ban or chopped up as a paperweight. I also have a Mk II HE which hasn't been butchered and a few Webleys. I have 7.1 slots for a .30 cal luger and a .455 1911 but need to rob a bank to afford them ! Maybe one day !

I was authorised my TL on a Sect 7.1 but opted to go 7.3 and shoot it

I reload my own ammo and gun shoots a treat

The revolver sits nice with my 1915 SMLE

 

[steelslaver]

Jim, I dont know to be honest. I haven't yet removed the grips as they have been bonded onto the frame with epoxy and i need to smash them off and haven't yet been brave enough to do it !!

Luckily mine is on a certificate that means I can keep it at home (UK laws suck) so when I have a few hours with nothing to do I will go at it. I will keep the medallions naturally !!

If you remove the grip screw and stick the gun in the oven at 300f or 150 C the wood should be OK but the epoxy should break down and release

 

[BC38]

Glued on? Wow!

Remove the grip screw, turn the gun upside down and gently hammer a chisel into the seam on the butt between the two sides of the grips. Then you could likely still use them.

Would a putty knife work better than a chisel? I'd be afraid something as thick as a chisel would break the wood.

 

[Hondo44]

Here is pic of butt stamp

Hmm… something is amiss. The letter for your number 1406 indicates the serial number is stamped on the left side of the grip frame. Is that true??

That’s only done if the lanyard swivel is drilled through the butt number but your photo doesn’t show that.

I checked the serial number list for Type I guns, 1406 (also 1407) and they are not listed. They are both Type II Triple Locks.

 

[RS2000CUSTOM]

Hmm… something is amiss. The letter for your number 1406 indicates the serial number is stamped on the left side of the grip frame. Is that true??

That’s only done if the lanyard swivel is drilled through the butt number but your photo doesn’t show that.

I checked the serial number list for Type I guns, 1406 (also 1407) and they are not listed. They are both Type II Triple Locks.

Serial number is "hidden" inside the left hand side of frame under the hand ejector rod as show in pic below

Here in UK it is awkward to get access to my S&W but if you require any further pics I will gladly sort but may take a while as firearm has to be kept in secure storage at Gun Range

 

[Hondo44]

The barrel and cylinder numbers you showed are the regular locations. Your letter stated the number is stamped on the left side of grip frame under the grip panel. That’s the number 1 question. I think the letter is in error.

 

[Doug M.]

While this would not something I want to do, for a lot of reasons, the .455 can be an adequate self-defense round if one loads it with a properly shaped projectile (WC/SWC) at factory levels.

 

[RS2000CUSTOM]

The barrel and cylinder numbers you showed are the regular locations. Your letter stated the number is stamped on the left side of grip frame under the grip panel. That’s the number I question. I think the letter is in error.

Ah ok so you want me to check if number is stamped in an area under the hand grips once they removed

may take a while to get this but will let you know asap

 

[Mike.45]

Not sure what I have now !!

So I have the TL serial no 1407, the sequential number to RS2000's gun, however my frame serial number isn't stamped in the ejector rod housing groove like RS2000's but in the conventional place under the crane housing where I would expect to see a S&W revolver S/N.

I find it hard to believe two consecutive numbered guns would have their S/Ns stamped in two completely different places on the frame / barrel ??

Also under a magnifying glass I see my cylinder is actually not original to the 1407 gun but is stamped 2257.

Maybe an armourer error assuming this wasn't an officers private purchase.

I am sticking it in the oven to try and get the epoxed grips off !!

And yes, I clearly need to clean it as it looks filthy in the photos !!

 

[Mike.45]

I see it now !!

Having looked at the photos I just posted I do now finally make out a stamped 7 under the crud in my ejector rod housing, I now think the S/N is stamped there but the lint and stuff is obscuring it.... I need to clean it !!

Edit: Just cleaned the ejector rod housing under the barrel and its serial numbered 2257 !!

So the barrel and cylinder are from 2257 and the frame is 1407....

 

[Mike.45]

If you remove the grip screw and stick the gun in the oven at 300f or 150 C the wood should be OK but the epoxy should break down and release

Steel Slaver ..... hats off to you sir you were spot on !! I would never have thought of that !! Many Thanks !!

 

[Mike.45]

Really Confused....

Ok final post of my todays findings... I followed SteelSlavers advice to remove the epoxied glued on grips and his advice was spot on, quick tap and they cracked off. Awesome advice !!

However this is what I am completely confused at .... the S/N on the bottom of the grip is different to the S/N stamped into the crane recess.... my gun has the S/N 2257 on the barrel, cylinder, and frame at the bottom of the grip, but 1407 on the crane recess.... the crane recess and the pistol grip frame is the same part.... how are the S/Ns different and the stampings on the barrel, cylinder and crane look original ..... although I must say the stamping on the bottom of the grip looks like its been overstamped over the original numbers....

I have no idea what I have here now !!

 

[StrawHat]

The serial number on a triple lock, would not be stamped in the crane recess. In the barrel, shroud recess for the extractor rod, on the cylinder, on the butt frame, I believe the last two numbers are on the lock itself that attaches to the frame, and a couple of other places. Jim will be better at telling you where they are.

Kevin

 

[Hondo44]

No S&W revolvers have the serial number in the yoke (crane is Colt’s term) until after 1958!

The serial number is 2257! The 1407 is the factory assembly number. Confirm that it matches in three places: the yoke, on the frame in the yoke cut, and the inside of the side plate. That will tell us if those three parts are original.

Because the stamped over serial number on the butt is highly unusual! But could have been done at the factory in the rush of wartime production if another already numbered frame was substituted for whatever reason.

 

[Hondo44]

The serial number on a triple lock, would not be stamped in the crane recess. In the barrel, shroud recess for the extractor rod, on the cylinder, on the butt frame, I believe the last two numbers are on the lock itself that attaches to the frame, and a couple of other places. Jim will be better at telling you where they are.

Kevin

Yes on the rear surface of the 3rd lock cam plate surface (screwed to the yoke), and the rear surface of the yoke looking through a cylinder chamber.

 

[Muley Gil]

Ok final post of my todays findings... I followed SteelSlavers advice to remove the epoxied glued on grips and his advice was spot on, quick tap and they cracked off. Awesome advice !!

However this is what I am completely confused at .... the S/N on the bottom of the grip is different to the S/N stamped into the crane recess.... my gun has the S/N 2257 on the barrel, cylinder, and frame at the bottom of the grip, but 1407 on the crane recess.... the crane recess and the pistol grip frame is the same part.... how are the S/Ns different and the stampings on the barrel, cylinder and crane look original ..... although I must say the stamping on the bottom of the grip looks like its been overstamped over the original numbers....

I have no idea what I have here now !!

That is an assembly number, used by the factory to keep parts together.

 

[Hondo44]

I have no idea what I have here now !!

It's still a Type 2 Triple Lock. Your serial # 2257 has been added to the research thread database in Post #1 of this thread.

 

[Hondo44]

Ah ok so you want me to check if number is stamped in an area under the hand grips once they removed

may take a while to get this but will let you know asap

Thx Dave, I have confirmed that your #1406 is already in my database. It's a Type 2 and there is not a duplicate number; there's no #1406 in the Type 1. list of known serial numbers. I still think the letter is in error regarding the the serial number being stamped on the left side of the grip frame under the grip. Once you confirm that you can discuss with Don Mundell and have the letter corrected at no charge by contacting him.

 

[Hondo44]

Currently for sale in a UK Auction

#14318

British Military Smith and Wesson .455 MkII Hand

The gun in that auction is actually #14312. I'll add it to the database.
Thank you.

 

[RS2000CUSTOM]

The gun in that auction is actually #14312. I'll add it to the database.
Thank you.

lol my bad

Sausage fingers !