So if am am looking at one and there is no serial number on the back of the cylinder, so it was modified to shoot, 45 ACP. Will it still chamber 455? What migjt one be worth in decent shooter condition.

New territory for me.


Robert
SWCA #2906, SWHF #760

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Robert
SWCA #2906, SWHF #760

I'd say it is most likely converted to .45 Colt. The face of the cylinder will probably appear much lighter, as most of them were either left in the white or possibly cold blued. If you look at the depth of the chamber it should be pretty obvious if it's been recut for a Colt or ACP case length.

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Ain't This Fun Though?

I have one that was converted to .45 ACP so has no serial number on the back of the cyl. If .45 ACP there will be a larger than normal gap between the back of the cyl and breech face just like a 1917 .45 ACP revolver. Look at all the barrel markings. Mine has 45 AR stamped on the left side of the barrel near the frame.

Most .455 conversions seen are to .45 Colt. And there are several different methods to do that. Conversion to .45 ACP would somehow involve increasing the space between the rear face of the cylinder and the frame by shortening the cylinder. Or possibly replacing the .455 cylinder with one made for .45 ACP. Not sure if that replacement would work or not. The increased headspace would make the use of .455 cartridges somewhat iffy because the .455 cartridge has a very thin rim. It might or might not work, I am not sure. For use with the .45 Auto Rim or .45 ACP without moon clips, cylinder modification would be simpler and it could still use .455 cartridges. From your description, I suspect the rear cylinder face has been machined shorter to accommodate .45 ACP in clips and .45 AR, and may not work well with .455 cartridges. No matter which, the effect on value would be negative. It would be just another shooter grade revolver.

There is a "circular gadget" that used to be sold on this forum that permits the use of 0.455 in a converted revolver. This is not a true moon clip but functions the same way. I either use it or use 45 AR cases and 0.455 heads (Jet Ammo in Canada used to sell the correct 0.265 lead "heads" for this calibre). Dave_n

A 45 acp cylinder could be fit to a 455 or a 455 cylinder could be shave to fire 45 acp in moon clips. But, the rim of a 455 is only .039, a 45 acp has a .049 rim PLUS about .040 for the clip so it need a minimum of .089 rear gauge, which is around .05 more than a 455, so first of all, the firing pin normally only sticks out of the firing pin bushing about that much, when the hammer hits it. So firing would be a BIG maybe, next of all with that huge headspace if it did fire the case would get a huge gap to accelerate in and slam into the frame. If you don't understand why this matters, try holding your shotgun a 1/2'' from your shoulder when you fire it and you will get a good idea.

Gross headspace is one of the worst enemies of any firearm.

So David. $900 would be a bit too much, maybe?


Robert
SWCA #2906, SWHF #760

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Robert
SWCA #2906, SWHF #760

A problem with .455 ammo is availability and price. Unlikely it can be found in any local gun shops or sporting goods stores, so it must be purchased off the Internet. Delivered price will be close to $2/round.

I assume "heads" means bullets, specifically 265 grain bullets. Any bullets made for .45 Colt will work for reloading.

Looked at the photos again and it was definitely cut for 45 ACP with clips...the headspace is easily 0.090"


Robert
SWCA #2906, SWHF #760

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Robert
SWCA #2906, SWHF #760

My 455 - 45ACP conversion measures .097" My 45 Colt conversion left the serial number and has a very light counterbore to allow the thicker base to work. It also allowed the use of 455 ammo. I think that TK Customs made moon clips for shooting 455 in a 45ACP chambered revolver some time ago. I believe there were quite a few conversions done this way, since 45ACP was a very popular round and many saw moon-clips as a handy option. Afterall, the factory used the exact same design for both the British 455 and the Model 1917 45ACP.

Attached Images

4395_1.jpg (56.5 KB, 121 views)

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Gary
SWCA 2515

But, the story is that the 455 cylinders were not given the additional heat treat given the acps, But, you do not hear of the converted ones blowing up. BUT, I WOULD AVOID +P ammo

I have both a 1st and second model 455. The 1st was reamed to 45 colt with the partial recess for the thicker colt rims and it fires both as the 455 has a larger OD rim. I picked up 500 round of 455 brass and use unsized round nose bullets from a 454 mold, 45 colt dies to decap, size, expand and a shortened on to seat and crimp

Over 35 years ago, I had a .455 that had been converted to .45 Colt the right way, with a shallow chamber recess for the .45 Colt rim. It worked fine with .45 Colt cartridges. I never had any .455 ammunition to try shooting those. My personal belief was and is that a .45 Colt conversion of a .455 done that way does not diminish the revolver's value much, if any, unless the revolver is in the upper levels of condition. In fact it might even increase its value to someone who wants to shoot it. Mine was just in "average used" condition. At the time I believe I paid no more than $250 for it, maybe less. I sold it sometime in the mid 90s.

first model

2nd

$900 is too much for me.

Standard .45 ACP ammo is the about the same as a .455 proof load.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

Yes, unless it has around 95% of the original high gloss blue finish and no serious dings or scratches. Otherwise it’s more in the $600-700 range. Poor finish or re-blue in the $400-500 range.

The 455 cylinders are not heat treated so full power 45 ACP loads are not recommended. But factory 45 AR loads are the same pressure as 455, so they’re perfectly safe. And you don’t need to use clips to headspace correctly or to eject the cases.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

Yeah, I think I'll let this one slip away. Thanks all.


Robert
SWCA #2906, SWHF #760

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Robert
SWCA #2906, SWHF #760

If I had a 455 with a cylinder shave for 45 acp I would seriously consider fitting a actual 45 acp cylinder to it. They are not hard to find. Right now everyone on Ebay thinks they are gold, but, with patient one will come along at a good price. For a second model you would need an early one with the right hand ejector rod threads if you want to keep the big knob.

The 455 2nd model like mine that has had the rear face of the cyl shaved to accommodate the .45 ACP with clips or the .45 AR case with it's thick rim are very easy to shoot with moderate pressure cast bullet handloads in the AR brass. Just as simple and easy to hand load for and shoot as the .38 spl. It is a very well made and fitted old revolver. No reason to reject on the basis of ammo.

Your assumption is correct. Shades of my UK background. Dave_n

I currently have half dozen .45 cal. Revolvers. (2 Webley Mk6’s, a 1st and 2nd Model S&W and 2 1917s (a S&W and a Colt))
Interesting that the revolvers made in Britain are shaved for .45ACP and the American made 1st (triplelock) and 2nd models were exported to England and Canada are still in the original .455.. Both 1917’s are .45ACP.
Makes it confusing as just what ammo to take to the range..
Here is my solution:
First Pic is a die & punch set I made to make the fiber shim shown in the next picture.
Next picture shows a steel spacer that I bought some time ago. Next is an aluminum shim made on my die set. (and practically ruined it.) Die set needs to be made of steel for this. Lastly is a fiber shim from the die. The difficulty is finding fiber shim material the is the right thickness.
The bottom two are a loaded shim with .455 brass and the other is a full moon with 45ACP.

Attached Images

	IMG_1716.jpg (90.0 KB, 6 views)
	IMG_1715.jpg (150.6 KB, 10 views)

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Dean
SWCA #680 SWHF #446