2nd Mod. HE MKII - Scratched up Even More Than Most

[22hipower]

I don't think I've seen before an engraved 2nd Model HE MKII .455. I'm sure there are more out there but this is the first one I've come across. It probably has the usual British acceptance stamps on the grip knuckle but those are obscured by the engraving. The British proof marks (actually Canadian, see 2152hq's post below) are present on each cylinder charge hole and there are a few other stamps as well; the crossed pennants on the top of the left side of the frame where the barrel screws in and there is a stamp under the barrel by the SN. The back strap has S.J.F. .52 stamped on it and I suppose that could be a unit/organization designation and a rack number although it could also be the engraver's initials and perhaps the year 1952.

It has been converted to 45 Colt although the barrel is stamped 45 SW (a gunsmith who didn't like Colt?) above the .455. The conversion was done by shaving the recoil shield and extending the cylinder holes and 45 Colt fits just fine. Unlike most of my engraved guns I'll have no hesitation to shoot this one as it seems to be in excellent mechanical condition for a 100+ year old gun and has a few scars already after likely seeing two world wars and who knows what else. It came with nice pearl service grips but remembering Patton's admonishments about pearl grips I changed them to the stags.

If anyone has thoughts as to who, or what, S.J.F might have been that would be much appreciated.

Edit: Given the Canadian proofs on the cylinder this one apparently went to England first and then to Canada.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

https://flic.kr/p/2pyL7u5 https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934231@N03/

https://flic.kr/p/2pyHXhC https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934231@N03/

https://flic.kr/p/2pyDuWf https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934231@N03/

https://flic.kr/p/2pyKChc https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934231@N03/

https://flic.kr/p/2pyDv13 https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934231@N03/

https://flic.kr/p/2pyJbD2 https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934231@N03/

 

[quinn]

Very interesting, Jeff. What is the back story? BTW, thos stags are outstnaing in themselves...

 

[Hondo44]

Beautiful! I can see the II stamped on the upper rear left side of the frame for British MKII designation of the .455 2nd model.

 

[22hipower]

Very interesting, Jeff. What is the back story? BTW, thos stags are outstnaing in themselves...

Sorry, no back story that I know although I'm sure it has some great stories to tell if it could talk. It was in yesterday's RIA auction and was about the only thing I could afford.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[Keith Brown]

I like that but have no other information. It’s kind of like a poor cousin to your Hiptmayer guns ! Great pics !

 

[22hipower]

I like that but have no other information. It’s kind of like a poor cousin to your Hiptmayer guns ! Great pics !

Poor cousin three or four times removed; LOL.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[RKmesa]

Jeff:

I really like the engraving, find the intertwining vine well-executed (especially on the sides), and I love the patina! Great pictures as well.

Congrats and thanks for sharing,

 

[Iggy]

That’s one fine looking gun.
Enjoy it.

 

[mrcvs]

Here’s the link to your revolver, which sold on Friday. The hammer price isn’t posted yet:

Engraved Smith & Wesson .455 MK II Hand Ejector Revolver | Rock Island Auction

What’s the story with the stocks, as the link depicts mother of pearl stocks and the photographs you show depict staghorn stocks?

Or, now that I see you are in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, I’m guessing you attended the auction and have changed out the stocks since the time of purchase?

Congratulations on your successful Rock Island Auction bid. That’s a remarkable feat! I’ve bid at that auction house from time to time and am perpetually outbid. The pockets there are far deeper than mine!

 

[22hipower]

Congratulations on your successful Rock Island Auction bid. That’s a remarkable feat! I’ve bid at that auction house from time to time and am perpetually outbid. The pockets there are far deeper than mine!

Hammer price was $1500 (plus buyers premium and tax of course) which wasn't too bad for that venue. Most items, the nice ones, were fairly expensive I thought except for one. I didn't go back for the end of the auction yesterday as I expected the pre-war Outdoorsman 38-44 I had admired would go for $2k or so and more than I wanted to pay. Imagine my chagrin when it hammered at $850 and I wasn't there to bid. You snooze, you lose.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[mrcvs]

Hammer price was $1500 (plus buyers premium and tax of course) which wasn't too bad for that venue. Most items, the nice ones, were fairly expensive I thought except for one. I didn't go back for the end of the auction yesterday as I expected the pre-war Outdoorsman 38-44 I had admired would go for $2k or so and more than I wanted to pay. Imagine my chagrin when it hammered at $850 and I wasn't there to bid. You snooze, you lose.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

A very low 4 figure price tag on an N frame Smith & Wesson revolver is increasingly uncommon these days, especially at Rock Island. And so, well done!

I assume this is the Outdoorsman you are referencing:

Smith & Wesson .38/44 Outdoorsman Double Action Revolver | Rock Island Auction

That’s at least the second Outdoorsman I’ve seen recently that at least looks really nice but hammered in the high 3 figures. There may be a weakening in that specific segment of the market.

 

[2152hq]

Canadian Military Proofs on the rear face of the cylinder
D'C/P... Dominion of Canada/Proof

Very nice revolver! No idea on the backstrap marking