.44 Hand Ejector 2nd Model

[CHARLIE699]

Looking at one of these but chambered in .45 Colt. The 4th Edition mentions some of these being made with 6.5" barrel.
Q: How are these marked? This example has no caliber marking on the right of barrel, only "Smith & Wesson" on left side. Sideplate has S&W logo but right side of frame is unmarked.
Q: How were these chambered? This example has slight rim recess on rear of cylinder chambers. Rear of cylinder not shaved.
Q: Were these in a particular serial # range?
Q: Could this be originally chambered in .45 Colt?. It does have the "crossed Pendants" stamp on upper left side of frame.
Q: Were any revolvers shipped to Britain or Canada chambered in .45 Colt?

Ahhhhh,Yup. I DO ask a lot of questions. That's why I am always a student.

I've seen many of these 2nd models but most have been rechambered .455's with marked barrels.
Thanks for any insight.

 

[StrawHat]

To the best of my knowledge, none were shipped to Great Britain chambered in 45 long Colt.

Here is a thread on the 455 revolvers used by GB.

.455 British Svc Revolver Research Thread

Lots of good information has been posted.

Kevin

 

[CHARLIE699]

I saw the attached tread & paged thru it quickly. I was looking for any known 2nd Models in original .45 Colt. How they were marked & cylinders chambered. I'm certain some of the folks here must have one.
I'll give it another look, closer this time. Thanks for the response.
At this point, I have to guess that it's an unmarked .455 with chambers opened for .45 Colt. I'll see if I can glean any additional info. This one falls into Hondo44's list of 5 digit 2nd models with NO CALIBER MARKING
If it was ever refinished, it was done well. All markings & edges still crisp. Re-chambered examples seem to price all over the spectrum.

 

[Muley Gil]

I had a 2nd Model .455 re-chambered to .45 Colt, back in the '70s. It was a decent shooter. May had been better if I had used larger (.454-.455) bullets. I wasn't that great of a shot back then either.

 

[handejector]

At this point, I have to guess that it's an unmarked .455 with chambers opened for .45 Colt.

Almost certainly.

 

[rincar]

I have one of the S&W converted 455 Caliber Revolvers. I bought it in Arizona in the 1970' s. It's a nice revolver and I like it. Enjoy it.

 

[Hondo44]

That's a good one!

The re-chambering to 45 Colt was done in the best method out of 3 ways to do it. The biggest benefit is that it will still safely chamber and shoot the 455 Mark II cartridge that it was originally chambered for.

 

[StrawHat]

That's a good one!

The re-chambering to 45 Colt was done in the best method out of 3 ways to do it. The biggest benefit is that it will still safely chamber and shoot the 455 Mark II cartridge that it was originally chambered for.

Actually, there is a fourth method! Not very successful and for some reason, it never became popular?

Kevin

 

[Hondo44]

LOL

Oh yeah, the snake load conversion. Is the barrel bored out smooth bore?

I have one of those, a 2nd Model 455. Replaced the barrel and yoke with Triple lock parts and used .454 cases trimmed to cyl length with .454 bullets seated all the way in the case flush with the mouth. Just like S&W's 38-44 target loads. That was a great idea by S&W, it shot very accurately in my gun! Eventually I found a .45 cyl so that experiment is now history, but boy would it shoot.

 

[markggtp]

They did make about 700 or so in 45 Colt, in the 74000# range. I think most went to Canada. I have one that shows no sign of being converted, no cal markings, no proof marks. I thought it strange not having a cal stamped on barrel,but a forum member mentioned that he also had one the same.

 

[Hondo44]

True, but not all in the #74,000 range:

By Feb 1916 724* were manufactured for the Canadians, chambered in 45 Colt, without a cartridge roll mark on barrel, presumed for the RCMP [H of S&W, 3rd ed., pg. 203]. #74744

Another 15 in 45 Colt were sold commercially in 1916; likely “over run” guns from the above order with consecutive #s. Only#46748 is known.

The dead giveaway to whether or not they were factory made or converted to 45 Colt after market is the front sights on these factory chambered for .45 Colt are a little higher [than 455 revolvers].