.455 British Svc Revolver Research Thread

[Hondo44]

I would say that it being a fairly rare example of your country's history and dire need to arm itself is a justification. There were probably less than 6,650 455 Triple locks ever made. That is counting the rare commercial models before the British order, the approx 5802 originally supplied of which yours is one and then the 812 made up later for old stock for a total of 6,614.

Just FYI: the 812 were the first Triple Locks produced, 666 for the British and the rest sold commercially.

Those made from left over parts were produced last, and there are 691 most sold commercially but some did end up in military service.

Post number 1 of this thread.

 

[RS2000CUSTOM]

Thanks for the additional enlarged photo. The stampings clearly do indicate military issue!

Due to forum restriction I was only able to post 5 pics at a time - there are 3 posts with pics attached

I notice on page 1 #1406 has been added but may need updating to show it has markings as seen on the pics

 

[steelslaver]

Just FYI: the 812 were the first Triple Locks produced, 666 for the British and the rest sold commercially.

Those made from left over parts were produced last, and there are 691 most sold commercially but some did end up in military service.

Post number 1 of this thread.

So I need to add 691 to the total

812 first from 44 special numbers
5857 from the 455 serial number set IF every number was used
691 last ones from left over parts

7360 plus the few custom orders in that caliber prior to the first batch

So, very doubtful there were 7500 Triple locks made in 455 and you have only had 1.2% of them show up on this thread.

The attrition rate in war probably accounts for a lot of them. May those guns and the men lost to wars all rest in peace

 

[Hondo44]

Due to forum restriction I was only able to post 5 pics at a time - there are 3 posts with pics attached

I notice on page 1 #1406 has been added but may need updating to show it has markings as seen on the pics

Yes! I will update it when I get home to my computer.

 

[RS2000CUSTOM]

Yes! I will update it when I get home to my computer.

Whilst I cannot take pictures of gun myself as it still with dealer I have edited the pics to show what markings I can see - hope you can decipher them

 

[Hondo44]

RS2000CUSTOM;

Updated today.

 

[mrcvs]

Correction to 73497. Shipped 29 Dec 1917 to Shapleigh & Company, (Shapleigh Hardware) St Louis, Missouri.

 

[BC38]

Thank you for sharing such a beautiful example of S&W workmanship RS2000CUSTOM. I hope your government overlords will deign you worthy of being the next curator of this fantastic example of S&W craftsmanship. There are MANY of us who would be more than happy to pay the price to add this one to our collections.

 

[Hondo44]

Correction to 73497. Shipped 29 Dec 1917 to Shapleigh & Company, (Shapleigh Hardware) St Louis, Missouri.

Thx, I’ll correct that.

 

[Hondo44]

Correction to 73497. Shipped 29 Dec 1917 to Shapleigh & Company, (Shapleigh Hardware) St Louis, Missouri.

Done. Thx!

 

[RS2000CUSTOM]

1406 - NO S&W or CAL ROLLMARK

Excuse my ignorance but what is meant by the above ?

 

[Hondo44]

It’s not marked SMITH & WESSON or the .455 caliber on the barrel.

 

[RS2000CUSTOM]

1406 - NO S&W or CAL ROLLMARK

Excuse my ignorance but what is meant by the above ?

It’s not marked SMITH & WESSON or the .455 caliber on the barrel.

That's what I thought it meant

So it appears that when I post pics you may not be seeing them on your thread as it clearly states both Smith and Wesson and the calibre on the barrel ??

SEE PICS BELOW

or am I missing something here ???

 

[Hondo44]

Dave,
Look at the barrel photo in post number 454 above. That’s the roll mark I’m documenting among other facts from all guns reported in this thread.

The .455 on the gun you posted is the British proof mark, not a factory marking. I hope that helps and thx for asking.

 

[RS2000CUSTOM]

Dave,

Look at the barrel photo in post number 454 above. That’s the roll mark I’m documenting among other facts from all guns reported in this thread.

The .455 on the gun you posted is the British proof mark, not a factory marking. I hope that helps and thx for asking.

OK now I understand

Is it likely that post #454 is of a commercial firearm with "commercial" markings - whereas my pics are of a S&W supplied to British Government

 

[StrawHat]

Post #1 explains the system being used to determine which “type” the revolver fits.

Type being a collector’s classification and not a factory designation.

Kevin

 

[Hondo44]

OK now I understand

Is it likely that post #454 is of a commercial firearm with "commercial" markings - whereas my pics are of a S&W supplied to British Government

You're correct. However, the barrel roll mark is stamped (or not stamped) long before the gun is sold and therefore not relative to how or to who the revolver was sold.

I started the thread to identify the factory patterns for roll marking the barrel based on serial numbers. Of course many members who posted their revolvers like you supplied photos and other details like shipping dates, shipping destination, etc., as well, that I was also able to document.

 

[Gratian]

I follow this thread often, but have a question about one of the entries. You have "7827 - NO CAL ROLLMARK, in Germany" listed in category 0, but this serial number is listed by N&J as one of the 666 that were converted for the British government from the .44 hand ejector series. Should it be in category 1 or did I miss something in this thread?

 

[Hondo44]

Welcome to the forum.

I believe that is a typo. Good eye! I’ll check it out and move it to category 1.
Thanks!

 

[Gratian]

Welcome to the forum.

Thank you. I just realized after reading your post that this is my first post after lurking for over two years. I have a handful of these .455 British hand ejectors and kept links and info of several more that I will start posting for your list.

The first two are from your list 1 “44 Hand Ejector-1st Model” Triple Lock, factory converted to .455 Mk II cartridge:

2844- (Online auction) One of the 60ish duplicate serial numbers. Military acceptance/property stamps. Lanyard swivel drilled through serial number on butt and has serial number restamped under the left grip. Also, marked for "sold out of stores." No "Smith & Wesson" or ".455" on barrel. Shipped October 21, 1914.

Smith & Wesson .44 Hand Ejector .455 #2844 | Proxibid

9316-(S&W Forum Post) Military acceptance/property stamps. Lanyard swivel drilled through serial number on butt and has serial number re-stamped under the left grip. No "Smith & Wesson" or ".455" on barrel. Shipped October 21, 1914.

.455 triple lock