2nd Model HE .455

[Jack Flash]

I thought my post was long enough without going into the possibility of a .45 Colt conversion.

Besides, the chambers would also need to be lengthened. Looking at them, I'm thinking they weren't. but some of you may have better calibrated eyesight. In any event, that would make the "unaltered" statement even more obviously wrong.

 

[Muley Gil]

To my old eyes, the chambers look deeper than .455, but not quite deep enough for .45 Colt.

 

[Hondo44]

I agree, the cyl rear face has clearly been 'turned off' with a lathe for greater head space. Whether it's larger enough for 45 ACP or not can only be guessed from a photo. It needs to be measured. We also can see if the recoil shield has been shaved or not.

I also agree the chambers do not appear to have been reamed for 45 Colt because there's usually evidence of the original shoulder still showing unless reamed a bit oversize.


Now consider this:

All S&W .455 BSRs, although designated to shoot the .454 Mk II, are actually chambered at the behest of the British for the longer .455 Mk I.

Therefore by simply shaving the rear cyl face to increase head space and depending on the actual resulting head space, the cyl can chamber a few other cartridges, most often of course being the .45 ACP & .45 Auto Rim. But if not shaved enough for those two, .45 Colt with shortened cases, the .45 S&W Special (.45 Frankford), .45 Cowboy Spl, and possibly even .45 Schofield (with turned down rims) would also chamber and shoot reliably, albeit those are highly unlikely.

The bottom line is, we need an actual head space measurement with a feeler gauge between the rear cyl face and the recoil shield. And we need the OP to chamber a .45 Colt cartridge to verify if it chambers all the way in or not, both to provide an informed answer.

Mark, can you provide those?

 

[Hondo44]

By the way Mark,

SERIAL # LOCATIONS: To confirm all parts are original, one can check for the 6 (or 7 - Triple Lock models only) matching serial # locations for fixed sight pre war Hand Ejectors and all post war Hand Ejectors thru ~1956 and a few as much as 3 years later.
NOTE: Observing serial #s with accuracy or even existence, especially on penciled stocks, requires magnification, bright light, and an attitude that they are there!

1. Grip frame butt (prefixed by a letter(s) following WWII) - or fore strap on I frame Regulation Police models and single shots with grips that cover the butt

2. Barrel - bottom of barrel or in extractor shroud, (Triple locks have tiny #s stamped in front end of the shroud; sideways/vertical if over 3 numerical digits, otherwise horizontal).
3. Yoke - on rear face only visible thru a chamber with a flashlight (except the .32 Model 1896 and no doubt a few others)

4. Extractor star – backside (which is actually the side facing the muzzle).
5. Cylinder - rear face
6. Right stock only - on back, scratched or penciled depending on vintage and stock material, stamped after 1929, (except most post war target grips because individual fitting not required.)

7. .44 TL models only: rear side of middle lock cam plate (Triple Lock models only)

 

[saber58]

More on my .455 HE

All, thanks for the great info, knew I could count on you. I have examined the gun again and I completely overlooked a proof mark on the bottom of the grip. Also, based on questions raised, I am posting a few more pictures, serial numbers, caliber check, and one with my M1917.

I checked serial numbers, they match on the grip, barrel flat, back of the cylinder, and inside of yoke.