45 COLT 2nd model hand ejector

[Carper]

Hello: This is my first post. Long an admired of SW handguns. Today I went gun trading actually looking for a Ruger in 45lc. I ended up with what I think is a 2nd model SW hand ejector marked 45 colt on the barrel. I was shooting it and a man looked at it and told me it was one of the most rare calibers for this model and only a handful were around and to stop shooting it and ask a collector if it is so. The revolver is serial number is in the 30,000 range , the lanyard ring is gone, the gun is tight and locks up like a vault door, no blue and the grips are fairly nice the little checkered ones with the sw medallions. The thing must have been to Britain, it has various British marks on it. Looks like a little set of airforce wings too ! It is for sure factory marked 45 COLT on the right side of the barrel and I had some light loads that I was using in my Colt Sa and they shot great from it. I this revolver more valuable than the 400.00 I gave for it, enough to worry about shooting it hurting value. No finish left to rub off really, but a really honest looking old gun. Thanks for any help or advice. Johnny

 

[deadin]

How about some clear pictures of the "45 COLT" marking on the barrel, the rear of the cylinder and the other markings you mentioned.

We can't really give an opinion with out seeing it...

 

[Oyeboteb]

Yes...as deadin relays - images would be necessary to determine what this is.

While there were some few .45 Colt 2nd Mdl Hand Ejectors made...there are many 2nd Model HEs which were originally in .455 Eley, which were later 'converted' to .45 Colt, and, these 'converted' .455s are not the same thing at all, as the ones which were in .45 LC from the Factory.

Not that I am trying to take anything away from a 'converted' .455...but, they are their own thing, just as an original .45 LC is it's own thing...and, they are different things.

 

[Muley Gil]

Welcome to the Forum.

Yes, we need pictures of the ".45 Colt" markings.

Many of the .455 S&Ws were converted to .45 Colt. I had one back in the late 1970s. It shot very well.

Since the standard British revolver chambering during WW I was .455, I doubt that they would buy a .45 Colt revolver.

 

[Carper]

I want to think eveyone who offered advice. I got a big magnifier and could just barely make out what I think is the "4" in .455 on the left side of the barrel near the s&m legend. No serial number is on the back of the cylinder. I also found "not english make" on the gun. I use .45lc blanks in my horse gunbreaking business and that is what drew me to this revolver and the fact that no one had single action .45lc at the sale. I am going to continue to shoot blanks and low power loads and enjoy this old gun. As I dont think it is the rare bird he thought thanks again

 

[glowe]

The 455 is a great N frame S&W. Over 50,000 were sent to England for WWI. Too many have been converted to 45 Colt or 45 Auto over the years. One method to make the Colt cartridge fit was to mill the back face of the cylinder, so that is why you will not see a serial number at that location.

There is actually nothing wrong with using mild 45 Colt ammunition in your gun and it should function great.

You might find this link to a thread on 455 2nd Model interesting: http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-hand-ejectors-1896-1961/238409-455-picture-thread.html