Trash or Treasure ?

[Barnacle Bill]

I have been going to pose this question for some time now, just never get around to it. I bought this gun in 1985 from a friend,and not being a real "Smith Collector" it looked to me like a 38/44,except that it had several British proof marks on it.No matter, I liked it so I bought it. Then turns out it also came with a 45 Cal.barrel and cylinder.(same sr.no.as on the 38 barrel and cylinder and frame)

At that time I had a good friend who`s brother worked for S&W in Springfield,and he was going for a visit,so I asked him to take some pictures of the gun and see if his brother could give any information on it.

About two weeks later, I got a letter from Roy Jinks stating that it left the factory in July 1915 as a .455 Mark II,and was probably re-barreld sometime in the 1930`s.

My question is if this would be an item of interest,or just another Smith that should have been left alone in it`s origional configuration ?

Bill

 

[DCWilson]

To my mind, the modifications are so old that they have become an item of interest themselves. I think it is cool to have a frame that you can swap cylinders and barrels on and have either a .45 or a .38. Some guns are collectibles because they are rare or in spectacular condition. Others are collectible because they have an interesting history.

Can you post any pictures of the gun and the spare parts? And when you say .45, do you mean the original cylinder was modified for .45 Colt, or is it still a .455?

Kind of intriguing, actually.

 

[Barnacle Bill]

To my mind, the modifications are so old that they have become an item of interest themselves. I think it is cool to have a frame that you can swap cylinders and barrels on and have either a .45 or a .38. Some guns are collectibles because they are rare or in spectacular condition. Others are collectible because they have an interesting history.

Can you post any pictures of the gun and the spare parts? And when you say .45, do you mean the original cylinder was modified for .45 Colt, or is it still a .455?

Kind of intriguing, actually.

Dave;
Thanks for the reply.I am not really sure about the Cal.of the 45 Cyl. I have never had it to a gun smith.all I can tell you is that a 45 L.C. will fit into the chambers,but not flush.(It has recessed chambers) however a .455 fits nicely (And flush.) I do have some pictures,old 35mm shots,and not the greatest. I did get them scaned,but can not figure how to get them posted.
Bill