I'm looking forward to seeing more. Thanks for the update, Les! I still want to do this some day.
My Latest N Frame Project.. The beginning---Update: May 23rd, 2018!!
- Thread starter les.b
- Start date
dacoontz
Member
You're going to make me regret selling it, aren't you. 
jebstuart
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
Iggy,
Your revolver (opening post) appears to be a British .455 H.E. 2nd Mod. w/o the ".455" roll mark.
If this is true, I have a couple of questions if you don't mind.
1. Is it recessed for 45 LC?
2. Who did the barrel work?
3. Is that a parkerized finish?
4. (Optional of course) what did the barrel and/or finish work cost you?
I have the same revolver I've been contemplating that exact treatment, but reinstalling the front sight is over my head.
Thanks sir,
Jeb,
On the 455s yes, you want to recess the 45 Colt rims, but not fully. Just enough (about .015") to maintain the original head space of the 455 case.
That way you'll have reliable ignition and proper head space.
AND you'll still be able to shoot 455 ammo because its larger diameter rim will not fit into the 45 Colt recesses.
On the 455s yes, you want to recess the 45 Colt rims, but not fully. Just enough (about .015") to maintain the original head space of the 455 case.
That way you'll have reliable ignition and proper head space.
AND you'll still be able to shoot 455 ammo because its larger diameter rim will not fit into the 45 Colt recesses.
jebstuart
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
Hondo,
Yes, mine is recessed perfectly, wondered if Iggy's was.
I need to get the barrel shortened, front sight replaced (and sighted) and finish redone. Mine is in a state of poor re-hot blue now. A prime candidate. Wondering who did Iggy's work & what finish that is.
Here's my candidate for Iggy-izing:
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S&WsRsweet
Member
You guys all have some very cool and very nice firearms and lesB looks like you are getting close to one also .Great concept good luck and keep us in the know .
Jeb,
Mine is a real Heinz 57. It is a 455 II. but the cylinder and barrel are now post WWII. Both are .452 caliber. The barrel shown in that picture was the original, but was bulged when I got it. I think I still have the .455 cylinder.
The present barrel is a Brazilian surplus replacement meant for their Model 37s. I got it unfired off of GB for $75.00.
The cylinder is cut for moon clips and bored for 45 Colt. The gun will fire .45 Colts, but ignition is "iffy".
I use 45 Winchester Mag brass loaded to Colt 45 pressures in moon clips. That puts the bullet right up to the forcing cone thus eliminating the bullet jump of 45 ACP and ARs. I can shoot ACPs and ARs in the gun too but accuracy suffers a bit.
Dave Keith (keith44special) who has posted in this thread did the barrel work on mine, but I'm not sure he is accepting work these days. He cut it down from a 5" and moved the sights.
As to cost, we did some tradin' here and there.. I think I came out ahead of the game.
The gun is parkerized, but that was done locally.
Mine is a real Heinz 57. It is a 455 II. but the cylinder and barrel are now post WWII. Both are .452 caliber. The barrel shown in that picture was the original, but was bulged when I got it. I think I still have the .455 cylinder.
The present barrel is a Brazilian surplus replacement meant for their Model 37s. I got it unfired off of GB for $75.00.
The cylinder is cut for moon clips and bored for 45 Colt. The gun will fire .45 Colts, but ignition is "iffy".
I use 45 Winchester Mag brass loaded to Colt 45 pressures in moon clips. That puts the bullet right up to the forcing cone thus eliminating the bullet jump of 45 ACP and ARs. I can shoot ACPs and ARs in the gun too but accuracy suffers a bit.
Dave Keith (keith44special) who has posted in this thread did the barrel work on mine, but I'm not sure he is accepting work these days. He cut it down from a 5" and moved the sights.
As to cost, we did some tradin' here and there.. I think I came out ahead of the game.
The gun is parkerized, but that was done locally.
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jebstuart
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
Thanks for the info sir. I usually prefer A-1 but your Heinz 57 suits my taste just dandy this time. Whoever milled that cylinder for moon clips had their thinking cap on at the time.
I think all I need to do is shorten the barrel (myself), have someone move or install a new milled sight base for a pinned blade and get it Parkerized. Maybe I can get that done locally as well. I'll try to buy'em off with a few boxes of Premium Cigars. I have a REAL big (3000 box) humidor. Heck, maybe I'll spring for the clip milled cylinder too.
Thanks again,
OP
Well...USPS tracking said that my new barrel would arrive Tuesday, May 29th, but I was mowing grass today, and peeked in the mailbox, and there was a little package from dacoontz!! Later checked my iPhone, and saw the updated tracking, which said that it was delivered at 1:56 PM!!
Anyway, I'm not ready to put it together yet, my tools are at my workshop at home, and I'm still at the cabin. I've been soaking the old barrel and frame in Kroill (not sure if that's the best, but it's what I had here).
Dried off the Brazillian, and posed it with the new barrel, to give you guys a preview of what it's going to look like!!
I couldn't be happier!!
Put the frame and barrel to soak again, hoping to ease the removal after 80 years of who knows what. Remember my first posts of what the Brazilian looked like inside when I first pulled the sideplate.
Best Regards, Les
Anyway, I'm not ready to put it together yet, my tools are at my workshop at home, and I'm still at the cabin. I've been soaking the old barrel and frame in Kroill (not sure if that's the best, but it's what I had here).
Dried off the Brazillian, and posed it with the new barrel, to give you guys a preview of what it's going to look like!!
I couldn't be happier!!
Put the frame and barrel to soak again, hoping to ease the removal after 80 years of who knows what. Remember my first posts of what the Brazilian looked like inside when I first pulled the sideplate.
Best Regards, Les
By Jove Old Chap, I think that's gonna work..
Right now it's looking a little like my 1917. This one was loaned to the British for WWII, De-acensioned about 1955 and found it's way back to the states.. I gussied it up a little with Grashorn grips.
You got a rig to carry that little belly gun in when you finish?
They can be quite handy you know...
Right now it's looking a little like my 1917. This one was loaned to the British for WWII, De-acensioned about 1955 and found it's way back to the states.. I gussied it up a little with Grashorn grips.
You got a rig to carry that little belly gun in when you finish?
They can be quite handy you know...
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Should be a great little gun. I have a couple Brazilians I need to take out to the shop.
Les,
That is going to be extremely cool when you get it finished! Put it in a nice shoulder holster.
Larry
That is going to be extremely cool when you get it finished! Put it in a nice shoulder holster.
Larry
OP
Should've guessed that I wouldn't be able to wait longer....
I've been soaking that barrel in Kroil for three days, was going to wait a little longer, but thought I'd see how tight the barrel retaining pin was. Tapped it with a plastic mallet, then with a cup pointed pin punch which matched its diameter, and it slid right out. I couldn't believe it. When it came out the other side, it was soaked its length with the Kroil. No rust or gunk.
So...I had been periodically tapping all around the frame and where the barrel screws in to the frame (with a plastic headed mallet, so as not to mark the finish or metal) as I applied Kroil, in an effort to aid in the seepage of the oil, and the loosening of any crud in the threads. I think it must have helped, because after sitting 80 years, the barrel loosened, and unscrewed just with hand pressure. When I had unscrewed it completely, I observed that the threads of the barrel and inside the frame were completely saturated with the Kroil. This is the first time that I have ever used it in such a fashion, but have read good things about it.
Unbelievable.
Here is the frame with the barrel removed.... (I had not even stripped out the internal parts, other than to remove the cylinder and yoke.
Best Regards, Les
I've been soaking that barrel in Kroil for three days, was going to wait a little longer, but thought I'd see how tight the barrel retaining pin was. Tapped it with a plastic mallet, then with a cup pointed pin punch which matched its diameter, and it slid right out. I couldn't believe it. When it came out the other side, it was soaked its length with the Kroil. No rust or gunk.
So...I had been periodically tapping all around the frame and where the barrel screws in to the frame (with a plastic headed mallet, so as not to mark the finish or metal) as I applied Kroil, in an effort to aid in the seepage of the oil, and the loosening of any crud in the threads. I think it must have helped, because after sitting 80 years, the barrel loosened, and unscrewed just with hand pressure. When I had unscrewed it completely, I observed that the threads of the barrel and inside the frame were completely saturated with the Kroil. This is the first time that I have ever used it in such a fashion, but have read good things about it.
Unbelievable.
Here is the frame with the barrel removed.... (I had not even stripped out the internal parts, other than to remove the cylinder and yoke.
Best Regards, Les
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OP
Iggy.....
That's a great idea, I have been thinking that whatever holster I get would also do to carry my 27-2 with the 3 1/2" barrel. Even though this one is more like 3 1/4"... I'm sure that I can find something that will do duty for either. Right now, I've been using a 4" N frame holster when I'm out shooting the 27-2, and although it works, it's not all that cool looking!!
Thanks for the suggestion, though.
Best Regards, Les
That's a great idea, I have been thinking that whatever holster I get would also do to carry my 27-2 with the 3 1/2" barrel. Even though this one is more like 3 1/4"... I'm sure that I can find something that will do duty for either. Right now, I've been using a 4" N frame holster when I'm out shooting the 27-2, and although it works, it's not all that cool looking!!
Thanks for the suggestion, though.
Best Regards, Les
OP
Here we go....
New barrel lined up and ready for a trial fit!!.....:
By the way, I've scrubbed out the threads on both the frame and barrel with a bronze brush, there was some crud in the frame threads. Both are ready to try together, but there is some crud and cratering on the face of the frame which might interfere with seating the new barrel. Plus, it is by no means certain that the new barrel with be a fit without some adjustment of the barrel shoulder or the locking pin, or both. Also, will have to see how the barrel cylinder gap works out.
Best Regards, Les
New barrel lined up and ready for a trial fit!!.....:
By the way, I've scrubbed out the threads on both the frame and barrel with a bronze brush, there was some crud in the frame threads. Both are ready to try together, but there is some crud and cratering on the face of the frame which might interfere with seating the new barrel. Plus, it is by no means certain that the new barrel with be a fit without some adjustment of the barrel shoulder or the locking pin, or both. Also, will have to see how the barrel cylinder gap works out.
Best Regards, Les
Should've guessed that I wouldn't be able to wait longer....
Best Regards, Les
Les,
I have to believe you screwed in the replacement snubbie barrel to see how it 'clocks' by now!
OP
Jim:
Yep..
But just.....I was just about ready to do so, my GF called, and asked me to run an errand for her!!! Yikes! What timing...but now I have screwed in the barrel, and here it is one thread out. I'm going to have to do a little minor fitting, I think, but it sure is looking good!!
What do you think? Everything works in this position, but the locking lug is pretty far in, and when the last thread is taken up, it would be even tighter. I think the barrel cylinder gap will be right about on....
Best Regards, Les
Yep..
But just.....I was just about ready to do so, my GF called, and asked me to run an errand for her!!! Yikes! What timing...but now I have screwed in the barrel, and here it is one thread out. I'm going to have to do a little minor fitting, I think, but it sure is looking good!!
What do you think? Everything works in this position, but the locking lug is pretty far in, and when the last thread is taken up, it would be even tighter. I think the barrel cylinder gap will be right about on....
Best Regards, Les
