2nd model .455 Hand Ejector?

[Arlan]

Hello. I have a hand ejector smith revolver serial number 33814. Fixed sight. The barrel is about 6". The barrel, cylinder and but plate all have the matching numbers. Forgive me I'm old and can't see without a device and I know nothing about this gun. It was an old family members gun. I've read a bit here. The cylinder aft has the numbers very clearly stamped and what appears to be crossed flags. The are BP and other turkey prints and proof marks all over this gun. The cylinder holes look uniform. Here's the catch. On the barrel just aft of the smith and Wesson stamp is .455 (However) the last numeral 5 seems to have been buffed off leaving a silver smooth spot. Thus, to the eye it says .45 scuff. It's a beautiful gun. And I bought some modern fiochi 455 and fired it here at my Ozark farm home and I have no neighbors just dogs who snore during gunfire also with proper protection. It seems to function just delightfully. And the shell casings ejected nicely. Any information would be greatly appreciated. I'd like to use it as my dedicated gun for my 1959 willys pickup that's all I drive. Is there something I'm unaware of with this removed last digit 5. It does not appear to be accidentally done. Thank you so much if I hear back. Thanks as well if I don't. I understand. I only know double barrels and my Winchester trapper.
Oh, it has a d ring on the but. I've never seen such a nice fitting and smooth well put together gun. I found it greased in wax paper in my uncles hat box,it's getting cold and rainy in the hills and I misplaced my hat and needed a hat and found a gun instead. I stayed in all day cleaning and coonfingering the thing. He died in 1962 in Asia. He's buried here next to the rest.
Thank you,
Arlan

 

[delcrossv]

Hi Arlan,

Welcome to the Forum!

Looks like you have a 2nd model .455 Hand Ejector from around 1916 or so. It should look like this:

The stamps and markings are proof stamps as most of these were sent to the British in WW I. (The Brits used .455 Webley).

If you want to start your own thread on this forum and add a picture, we can tell you more.

 

[Hondo44]

Arlan,

Welcome to this forum!
What a wonderful surprise to find in a hat box! Congrats! An early Christmas for you wasn't it?

I agree with Delcrossv above, that you have a S&W contract British Service Revolver ".455 Hand Ejector - 2nd Model". Most likely shipped in 1916.

Whenever I hear of the 5 in .455 being removed, that's usually a dead giveaway that the gun was converted to shoot .45 Colt, sometimes .45 Auto. But since you were able to fire .455 ammo, this is very common when converted to .45 Colt! If you have a Colt cartridge insert it in the cyl to verify it will chamber properly. Since the rear face of the cyl does have the serial # stamped on it, that's another indication the recoil shield was "shaved" to allow for shooting the .45 Colt. Or if the chamber mouths are slightly recessed for Colt case rims and the .455 rims do not fit in them.

We'd love to see photos!

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Welcome to the forums from the Wiregrass, Arlan!