.455 British Svc Revolver Research Thread

[papabyrd]

I have a mark I Triple Lock 455 Roll marked on left side of barrel Smith & Wesson 455 serial # 12902. No British proof marks.
I also have a Mark II HE with British proof marks roll marked on left side of Barrel Smith & Wesson 455. Serial #43429 it has been converted to 45 ACP.

 

[Hondo44]

Thank you.

Your TL sold commercially to Shapleigh Hardware on December 29, 1917

 

[Hondo44]

See post #1 for the latest databank update.

 

[Toyman]

Jim, you mentioned the disposal of the RCMP New Service revolvers. I own one that was sold to a RCMP inspector.

 

[Hondo44]

Dang Terry,

That's one fine gun and one fine 'package'!

Congrats!

 

[JMtoolman]

Jim, I received my reply for #15055 triple lock, .455 cal. It is one of the 160 units shipped to Shapleigh Hardware on Dec. 29th, 1917. This date is neat to me for that is only four months after my father was born! He passed away at 93 years old a few years back. It was one of the 160 contract revolvers built for the English Government, but not delivered. They were sold out of inventory to meet the demand for large caliber revolvers at the beginning of WW1. If you wish some photos of the revolver, with the help of my wife I can probably send some off to you. Best regards, JM

 

[Hondo44]

Jim, I received my reply for #15055 triple lock, .455 cal. It is one of the 160 units shipped to Shapleigh Hardware on Dec. 29th, 1917. This date is neat to me for that is only four months after my father was born! He passed away at 93 years old a few years back. It was one of the 160 contract revolvers built for the English Government, but not delivered. They were sold out of inventory to meet the demand for large caliber revolvers at the beginning of WW1. If you wish some photos of the revolver, with the help of my wife I can probably send some off to you. Best regards, JM

Awesome! Thx very much and congrats! Not many of those confirmed. I added it to the updated study info post above.

 

[delcrossv]

Second Model, S/N 36804 roll stamped 'Smith & Wesson .455' on LHS of barrel.

Crossed pennants on yoke, stamp on butt. No other markings.

 

[Hondo44]

Second Model, S/N 36804 roll stamped 'Smith & Wesson .455' on LHS of barrel.

Crossed pennants on yoke, stamp on butt. No other markings.

Thx, that one shipped in a group Jan 6, 1916.

 

[younggun22]

I recently picked up serial number 489 and the barrel lacks a caliber roll mark.

If am missing any info let me know!

 

[Hondo44]

I recently picked up serial number 489 and the barrel lacks a caliber roll mark.

If am missing any info let me know!

Thank you, it's the 3rd lowest s/n in my database.

It's a version 2 Triple Lock:

2. ".455 Mark II HE - 1st Model TL" in the new .455 British serial # range 1 to ~5800 [H of S&W pg. 201] assembled 1914-15. Thus creating 63 duplicate serial #s with the 666 1st version in #1. above in the ".44 HE 1st Model TL" .455 conversion serial number range.

 

[W.C. Morton]

I have a .455 Hand Ejector MK.II #16872 that was shipped to Remington Arms on Sept. 23, 1915. It has no caliber roll marking but does exhibit the usual Enfield inspector's mark on the rear L/S frame plus the crossed pennant mark on the barrel re-enforce, same side.

The gun was given to me by a late friend in England who sent it over here to avoid surrendering it to his government in 1998.

 

[Hondo44]

See post #1 for the latest databank update.

 

[linde]

.455 Mk II s/n 41893

Jim,

Thanks for your efforts . . . please include in your study data the following .455 Mk II s/n 41893 that shipped February 3, 1916 to Remington UMC for the British Government. It does not have a factory caliber stamp but is stamped on the left side of the barrel .45 COLT by whoever did the caliber conversion.

Russ

 

[Muley Gil]

Whoever did the stamping on linde's .455 to .45 Colt conversion did a very good job. The letters are pretty close to what S&W did with their roll stamp. Most look like they were done by a blind monkey with palsy. Please note that I didn't say a GORILLA.

 

[DCWilson]

Jim, thank you for the updated roster in post #233.

In case you'd like to add a note, .455 TL no. 358 has been converted to .45 Colt in the thoughtful manner that allows it to shoot the .455 round as well.

 

[Hondo44]

Jim,

Thanks for your efforts . . . please include in your study data the following .455 Mk II s/n 41893 that shipped February 3, 1916 to Remington UMC for the British Government. It does not have a factory caliber stamp but is stamped on the left side of the barrel .45 COLT by whoever did the caliber conversion.

Russ

Yes it's there in group 3. It surely was marked 455 because it's in the middle of the period when they all were. It looks like it was removed, the nice 45 Colt stamp added and then cold blued which has worn off.

 

[Hondo44]

I recently picked up serial number 489 and the barrel lacks a caliber roll mark.

If am missing any info let me know!

Thank you! It's on the list probably by a previous owner.

 

[Hondo44]

Jim, thank you for the updated roster in post #233.

In case you'd like to add a note, .455 TL no. 358 has been converted to .45 Colt in the thoughtful manner that allows it to shoot the .455 round as well.

David, that info has been added including in post #233.

Thank you,

 

[BP Dave]

Mk II HE SN 5907

This should help you pin down the early end of your third category of .455 Hand Ejector. SN 5907, caliber .455 Colt/Eley/Webley Mk I but no caliber marking; crossed pennants on left frame ahead of cylinder and on back of cylinder, small broad arrow and British proof on left side of knuckle. Finish is mostly gone to brown, but great mechanics and bore.

--DJ