One of my favorite ladies: Madame, our 96 year old Queen.
Also known as a No. 3 HE, S/N 58932 dateing to 1916.
Formerly a Canadian Military .455, Madame was lovingly converted to 45 Colt, probably in the 1930's, and had a slick little Micro rear sight installed long with the worlds tallest front sight. The grips are (sniff) repros, and someday I'll figure out how to make them look old (better than the Pachs she once wore) Madame enjoys 260 gr. Lyman hard cast 454190 bullets sized to .454 over 7.2 gr. of WW231. If properly fed and held well she will hold 10 ring at 25 yards.
Madame came to me from an estate in Florida in 1986 and we have enjoyed each others company ever since.

Attached Images

	DSC09317.jpg (59.6 KB, 166 views)
	DSC09318.jpg (84.1 KB, 114 views)
	DSC09319.jpg (43.0 KB, 111 views)
	DSC09320.jpg (50.0 KB, 108 views)
	DSC09323.jpg (83.3 KB, 103 views)

That is a neat looking gun. As collectors we are always looking for a completely original mint gun but I think some of these nicely modified guns are fascinating. I would bet the owner was a serious target shooter and since the gun he really wanted to suit his purpose was not available he had one built. The work looks to be well executed and the sights well made, the front sight is particularly interesting. The gun appears to be in very nice condition and was probably a prized possession of the owner. That gun would look great with a set of Roper or Sanderson grips befitting it's target status. Thanks for posting the photos.

__________________
John. SWCA #1586

that. is. super. cool. I agree w/ hsguy, some ropers would be outstanding on that revolver!

What a nice looking old school custom job. I really LIKE the service style grips, repos or not.

Very nice! Is that front sight blade made from a spring steel saw blade? It kind of looks like it is with what looks like saw blade teeth.



.

Bill
You caught the only replacement part. The sight it came with was .125" to low and i had a machinist friend make a replacement using cold rolled flat stock. The serations are hand filed.

What a great revolver! I too have a .455/Second that got exactly the same treatment -- conversion to .45 Colt, probably in the 1920s, and then many years later the addition of the Micro rear sight and tall blade front.

These guns are clearly a long way from original, but they have a kind of appeal all their own.



This one is 73778, a much later unit than yours. This one was produced toward the very end of the production run for .455 Second Models.

__________________
David Wilson

Neat old guns - both of you guys.

Nice revolver!

I have its cousin. This New Service was made in 1916, and originally chambered in .455 Eley. (Re-chambered to .45 Colt) The inside of the stag was marked, "Harrelson, R.L. USN", so it apparently made its way to U.S. forces. It came out of an elderly gentleman's estate, after he passed away his sister disposed of his collection through a gun shop here in the area. I consider it to be a true piece of American firearm history.

ROBERT
A lovely old Colt. Do you shoot it?

I do. A 255 gr. hard cast over 8.5 gr. Unique, and it shoots to point of aim at 10 yards. Double action trigger pull is somewhat heavy. I shoot it to remind myself that a handgun made almost 100 years ago will still do the job!