1916 45 Hand Ejector, lightly molested.

[Allen-frame]

With apologies to Guy , (Wiregrassguy)

A nice clean 455 that shipped in February 1916 to Canada.
Professionally converted to 45 Colt sometime in the last 97 years.

Purchased from a very kind old S.W.C.A. member.


8/21/15 ....

AS soon as the letter comes I will post it and some new photographs .




Regards,

Allen

 

[S&W ucla]

You know those grips are not original. I'll take them off your hands in trade for a nice set of pachmayrs. Much better non slip grip. I'll even pay postage! Seriously neat gun. Was the conversion done where the rim slightly cuts into chamber? I see SN is still on back of cylinder.

 

[A10]

That is a lovely revolver Mr. Frame, sir!

 

[Jack Flash]

That would bring top dollar in my book, converted or not!

 

[A Castle]

Did you have to sell your shoes to buy ammo?

 

[Muley Gil]

That there wheel gun is purtier than a speckled pup!

 

[bettis1]

I don't see a .455 caliber marking on the barrel so unless you know for certain that it was converted, I wouldn't too sure.

I have a slightly higher numbered .455 Mark II H.E. that shipped in mid 1917 and it is an original factory .45 Colt.

It would be worth a call to Roy to be sure.

Bob

 

[Jebus35745]

You found a very nice old gun in nice shape. Are you going to shoot it? If so let us know how I'd does. Larry

 

[Toyman]

Allen have you checked the grips to see if they number to the gun ?
Could this be a very high number 2nd model HE and not a 455 contract?

 

[Allen-frame]

Serial number is 61441. and it shipped to Canada on January 10 1916.

As per my conversations with Lee, some early contract guns did not have caliber markings.
And some later ones did not either.

Believe me, if this was an original 45 Colt chambering it would be
far too rich for my blood.

The pre war magnas date to 1937 . I will post the serial number when I can.

I have considered selling them if I can find a correct set of high
condition period correct service stocks for the gun.

regards

Allen

 

[bettis1]

Believe me, if this was an original 45 Colt chambering it would be far too rich for my blood.
Allen

Well, not always!

Mine was in a small, out of town show and the seller said that it was a Canadian that had been converted to .45 Colt. And it was priced as such! I saw no evidence of any Canadian markings and no evidence of conversion but I didn't need another 2nd and I just couldn't make myself believe it was really a Factory .45. I had another very experienced S&W collector/dealer who many of us know look at it and he also couldn't be sure. So we both passed.

When I got home that night I contacted Roy and his answer about stopped my heart. Fortunately, I had the dealers number and called him and arranged the sale.

Never say never!
Bob

 

[dangt]

I dont see any chamber modification in your photo. It does not look like the rear of the cylinder was faced off (or maybe the serial number was restamped). I also dont see any relief cut at chamber mouth for the thicker 45 Colt rim. Was the backing plate machined to increase headspace?

Dan T.

 

[dnonac]

Beautiful gun Allen....

I don't see any import/export markings from the pics. Is there a crown over 30 or other such number on the butt or elsewhere?
Craig...

 

[handejector]

Are you going to letter it?

Run a patch thru the chambers and show us a better pic.
If the recoil shield is not faced off and the rims are not countersunk, how could it be converted? Does 45 Colt ammo function well in the gun?

 

[Allen-frame]

Here is the short story;

The gun originally fooled Bill Orr.
And his friend Ray Brazille was not sure either,
But a call into Roy found that the gun shipped as a 455.

I believe the recoil shield has been faced off to accommodate the 45 Colt cartridge ,and then the gun was re finished. Possibly at the factory a long
long time ago. But again, no re work marks.

There are no markings on the gun to distinguish it as a service revolver.

I will take better photos and post them as I can.

I will check once again with Roy about the possibilities.

Allen

 

[Hondo44]

Alan,

That's a beauty! Nice catch. So it's apparently one of the 1105 commercial models.

The modification of the front sight is certainly unique. It resembles a pre war/early post war 22/32 Kit Gun USRA "Pocket" sight.

 

[Allen-frame]

Bump to top as Roy is writing the letter for this one.


I will take some new photos as soon as I can ..

Allen

 

[smitholdtimer]

Unable to see the photos you poated

Sorry Allen, am not seeing anything but squares where the photos should appear and a cat photo with click to see photo and after that something about error photobucket. Is my computer lacking something that prevents my ability to see the photos?