Holiday "Whatsit?" has arrived/update... 38/455

[Mbrgr1]

Well, the oddball .455 that was converted to a 38 special arrived today.

I'll only post my observations and not make any assumptions until I hear from the gang.

First note, all parts are numbered the same, the only slightly different font is the "2" on the 38 cylinder, which has a flat bottom.

There is a date on the left grip of "10.42" in the normal repair spot, factory fiddling with this in WWII?

The grips are numbered to the gun as well, I took the grip adapter off for now, it looks like "T3" on it.

Overall very nice condition, I'm interested to see what others think, Don said there is no factory work orders for this gun.

Too many pics to load here, please see link...

38/455 - Album on Imgur

Thanks!

 

[Muley Gil]

"There is a date on the left grip of "10.42" in the normal repair spot, factory fiddling with this in WWII?"

S&W kept the Service Department all throughout the war. All of their production was Victory model revolvers and no sales went to the civilians. The factory knew the war wouldn't last forever and they needed to keep their prewar customers happy.

 

[handejector]

You have a Brit contract 455. It has military acceptance marks. It has been reamed to 45 Colt, and appears to be nicely done.

In 1942, S&W was not selling guns commercially, so when Kenneth needed/wanted a 38 Spec and could not buy one, he had S&W turn the gun into a 38/44 Heavy Duty.
Sorry, but I don't see a complex story here.

 

[Mbrgr1]

In 1942, S&W was not selling guns commercially, so when Kenneth needed/wanted a 38 Spec and could not buy one, he had S&W turn the gun into a 38/44 Heavy Duty.
Sorry, but I don't see a complex story here.

Thanks for looking, no sorrow or complexity needed, just curious, Mr. Slocum got the gun in 1947, would have been fun to know who had it done originally in 1942, but with no records, unknowable...


I'm just happy the set managed to remain together over the years....

 

[Glashaus]

No matter what, that has to be a very pleasant .38 Special to shoot! Very cool S&W!

 

[Muley Gil]

Looks to me like the original .455 cylinder has been rechambered to .45 Colt.

 

[mikepriwer]

This is a very strange story. From the comments above, it would seem that the gun was originally shipped as a 455. Some time later, the barrel was replaced with a 38 Special barrel, and has that caliber still stamped on it. Presumably the cylinder was replaced with a 38 special cylinder. Some time after that, the barrel and cylinder were both reamed out to 45 long Colt, which is presumably what it is today.

Is this the consensus opinion?

Regards, Mike Priwer

 

[steelslaver]

They made 38 special barrels for triple locks??? I don't think so. Marked after being bored and lined is more likely
The cylinder pictured has been partially recesses as per a 45 colt conversion, did it just come with the gun or is it actually installed in the gun?

 

[6string]

Hey, I was watching that one too!
Nice score!

My estimation was in line with yours. Very intriguing. I just chickened out.
You got a very good deal too!

 

[mrcvs]

They made 38 special barrels for triple locks??? I don't think so. Marked after being bored and lined is more likely
The cylinder pictured has been partially recesses as per a 45 colt conversion, did it just come with the gun or is it actually installed in the gun?

The revolver photographed for this thread is not a Triple Lock revolver (.44 Hand Ejector First Model, but instead, a .44 Hand Ejector Third Model (Model of 1926) revolver. Note the flare to the recoil shield on the left side, which is not present on a Triple Lock revolver.

 

[StrawHat]

I do not see a third lock? I believe it started as a Second Model 455 and had the Heavy Duty barrel and cylinder added.

Regardless, still a nice package.

Kevin

 

[mrcvs]

I do not see a third lock? I believe it started as a Second Model 455 and had the Heavy Duty barrel and cylinder added.

Regardless, still a nice package.

Kevin

The .44 Hand Ejector Second Model didn't have the flare to the left recoil shield. But, what I wrote seems right, except now I see a serial number of 8293, which isn't within the range of the Model of1926.

 

[handejector]

Lots of confusion here. It would have helped to post more of the auction pics, or just continue the original thread-

A holiday "whatsit?" Proof S&W would do anything?

 

[handejector]

The .44 Hand Ejector Second Model didn't have the flare to the left recoil shield. But, what I wrote seems right, except now I see a serial number of 8293, which isn't within the range of the Model of1926.

YES, they do.

This gun did not start life as a 44 anything. It started as a 455-2nd Model which is in an entirely different serial number series.

 

[Mbrgr1]

This is a very strange story. From the comments above, it would seem that the gun was originally shipped as a 455. Some time later, the barrel was replaced with a 38 Special barrel, and has that caliber still stamped on it. Presumably the cylinder was replaced with a 38 special cylinder. Some time after that, the barrel and cylinder were both reamed out to 45 long Colt, which is presumably what it is today.

Is this the consensus opinion?

Regards, Mike Priwer

I thought..........



It was a 455 second model first, then it was counter bored for 45 , then in Oct 1942 it was sent to the factory and fitted with a 38/44 6.5 in barrel and 38 cylinder, the original 455 barrel and cylinder were kept with the gun through numerous owners.


Thanks for the input.

 

[Mbrgr1]

Lots of confusion here. It would have helped to post more of the auction pics, or just continue the original thread-

Thanks,


Sorry for any confusion, the original auction did not have any better pictures or info I did not provide, the seller didn't know what it was either..



Of course I confuse the coffee pot in the morning! So .......

 

[mrcvs]

YES, they do.

This gun did not start life as a 44 anything. It started as a 455-2nd Model which is in an entirely different serial number series.

Yes, you are correct. And this is what happens when you cannot remember something, don't reference a photograph, and multitask, and, by the time you get back to the thread and post, you forgot the subject matter of the thread in its entirety. Posted is a photograph of the only Hand Ejector Second Model that I have. It has the flare. I forgot that. The Third Model has the flare and the shroud. The Triple Lock has the shroud and not the flare. A revolver with a shroud was posted with the flare and then the term Triple Lock was used and I felt the need to point out that a Triple Lock does not have a flare. I didn't reference my photograph of my Second Model as I didn't recall it having the flare. And it does, and so do all other Second Models. Then I got confused in another thread, incorrectly believing it to be a Third Model as Second Models don't have a shroud. By the time I got that far, multitasked, and returned, I completely forgot about any reference to .455 Webley at all.

Now, who's on first?

 

[H Richard]

For just a second I thought this might be a .455 I formerly owned that had been "sleeved" for 38 Special. That gun, #26007, 2nd Model, was a non factory conversion, very well done, and shot well. The only noticeable change originally was the front sight had been lowered to shoot to POA.

 

[steelslaver]

The revolver photographed for this thread is not a Triple Lock revolver (.44 Hand Ejector First Model, but instead, a .44 Hand Ejector Third Model (Model of 1926) revolver. Note the flare to the recoil shield on the left side, which is not present on a Triple Lock revolver.

I didn't pay enough attention, saw the rod tip and the piece of pin sticking out out lug appeared flat at my first glance, so I jumped to a conclusion My bad.

 

[handejector]

Now, who's on first?

I need a good spaghetti recipe......