.455 British Svc Revolver Research Thread

[Hondo44]

To clarify the markings on my converted second model No. 73778, the original left side caliber rollmark reads SMITH & WESSON .455. (yes, a period follows the numerals). There is no rollmark on the right side. Above the original caliber marking is the much lighter rollmark CAL. 45 S.W. with no ampersand and no decimal points before or after the numerals. I still wonder if this means there was an intermediate conversion to the .45 Schofield (or S&W) round before the chambers were lengthened once more to take the .45 Colt rounds that the revolver chambers today.

Thank you.

That's interesting, and yes, it may have been converted to 45 Schofield initially, stamped as such, and later lengthened to 45 Colt. If so you may detect two rings in the chambers: when originally reamed past the 455 Mk II shoulder and later when reamed again past the 45 Schofield shoulder.

If not, perhaps the original converter reamed for 45 Colt. But knowing it would also chamber the Schofield, marked the barrel 45 SW to stay loyal to the S&W revolver maker.

 

[steelslaver]

Hondo,

I have a triple lock serial number 12493. It has a raft of British stamps as well as the broad arrows. Left side of barrel marked Smith & Wesson 455.
Top of barrel is the patent dates address etc. Right side of barrel was unmarked by S&W

I suspect it is from the second group of 455 TL as it has barrel roll stamped where the gun with serial number 12448 you have listed with the first batch has no roll marking on barrel. I also suspect there is a 455 TL from the first batch with matching serial number to mine. Just 45 numbers higher than the unroll marked 12448 one listed above
Man would I love to find that one too.

 

[jebstuart]

MKII - 62941 - Marked 455 LHS - Parkerized - Last Digit 5 struck thru & Now Marked 45 AR - Proper British Marks.

 

[fourb20]

s/n 63279, not a triple lock with Smith and Wesson .455. on left side of barrel and Canadian markings.

 

[Hondo44]

Jim,

I realize that #5788 does not fit in the known range. I did not letter it, thinking most of it's collector value was lost in the rechambering to .45 Colt. Like David's, it is stamped"45 S&W."

Bob

Hi Bob,

You may be interested in this TL #5724 very near yours, in this thread:

A Scarce 5 Inch Triple lock shipped to Canada in April of 1915

It's also from Canada, which is lettered as a 455 1st Model TL, and sold commercially, that shipped April 28,1915 to Hurd & Co., with a 5" barrel.

Because it shipped too early to be in the 3.B. category, I've placed it and yours in category 2. in my post #33 above.

 

[Valmet]

I own 35711, roll marked .455 on L side of bbl, still in orig .455 and shipped to Rem-UMC in NY for agents of British Gov't on Jan 6, 1916 as per S&W letter.

 

[Valmet]

double post.

 

[JSR III]

For your list I have 29515 with a:

^
*
44
E

II

at the top of the frame hump on the left side as well as what appears to be crossed flags on the left frame just under the barrel pin and also on the cylinder face between charge holes to the left of the stamped serial number. Left barrel is marked SMITH & WESSON .455.

Bottom of left stock panel is marked G S I which I assume are the initials of a former caretaker. No other markings that I can see.

According to Roy the gun was shipped in December of 1915 but no letter so destination unknown.

 

[Tom 3Persons]

Serial number of this TL is 2147.
British proofs and Broad Arrow.
Not .45 long Colt.
In Alberta.
Serial number is not drilled though for the Lanayrd ring, it is beside it.
No caliber stamps on either side of the barrel.
I don't know if it is:
1. 44 Hand Ejector-1st Model Triple Lock, 846 in the 44 Spl # series factory converted to 455.
or if it is
2. 455 Hand Ejector-1st Model Triple Lock #1 thru #5461.
Great survey.
thanks
Tom

 

[Tom 3Persons]

Serial number of this TL is 2147.
British proofs and Broad Arrow.
Not .45 long Colt.
Located it in Canada.
Serial number is not drilled though for the Lanayrd ring, it is beside it.
No caliber stamps on either side of the barrel.
I don't know if it is:
1. 44 Hand Ejector-1st Model Triple Lock, 846 in the 44 Spl # series factory converted to 455.
or if it is
2. 455 Hand Ejector-1st Model Triple Lock #1 thru #5461.
Great survey.
thanks
Tom

 

[Hondo44]

Serial number of this TL is 2147.
British proofs and Broad Arrow.
Not .45 long Colt.
Located it in Canada.
Serial number is not drilled though for the Lanayrd ring, it is beside it.
No caliber stamps on either side of the barrel.
I don't know if it is:
1. 44 Hand Ejector-1st Model Triple Lock, 812 in the 44 Spl # series factory converted to 455.
or if it is
2. 455 Hand Ejector-1st Model Triple Lock #1 thru #5461.
Great survey.
thanks
Tom

Tom,

It is not listed in Neal and Jinks pg. 203-205 as one of the 812 .44 1st Models converted to 455. Therefore it is a category 2. 455 TL 1st Model, now known to be serial #s 1 thru 5800.

Thank you,

 

[red9]

Jim,

The difference between mine and Jim Fisher's is mine has the Canadian military C broad arrow. I sprung for a letter and will post again when it comes in.

Bob

 

[WCCPHD]

I have a triple lock, unfortunately converted to .45 Colt, Serial number 5642. It has no caliber marking on the barrel.

Thanks,

Bill




Not bad to be 100 years old.

 

[Buford57]

2nd Model SN 12508 had no factory caliber marking and was stamped ".45AP" by whoever did the conversion to .45 ACP/AR. It is no longer in my possession.

 

[Hondo44]

I have a triple lock, unfortunately converted to .45 Colt, Serial number 5642. It has no caliber marking on the barrel.

Thanks,

Bill




Not bad to be 100 years old.

Hi Bill,

That's a gorgeous TL.

Appears to be a commercial model since I don't see a single Brit or Canadian stamping, unless I've missed something.

Is the serial # missing from the rear face of the cyl or the chamber mouths recessed leading to your belief it is a conversion to 45 Colt?
Because if neither of these are in evidence, it begs for a letter; could be a factory 45 Colt TL and quite rare.

It certainly has a lower front sight than the standard 455 which is higher than factory 44s and 45 Colts.

 

[WCCPHD]

Jim,

It does have British stamps, but not government owned marks. It began life as a .455 and had the cylinder face shaved to make it a .45 Colt.

I will include some other photos that show the marks and the cylinder face.

I have since found a replacement top screw and removed the hideous "wondersight."

 

[Hondo44]

Jim,

It does have British stamps, but not government owned marks. It began life as a .455 and had the cylinder face shaved to make it a .45 Colt.

I will include some other photos that show the marks and the cylinder face.

I have since found a replacement top screw and removed the hideous "wondersight."

Ok, I see them now, very nice and discreet.

Oh yeah, great improvement w/o the hideous tacked on sight, albeit some use those and will pay for them.

Appears to be a commercial that entered GB thru civilian channels. It might be one commercially shipped to Wilkinson Sword in England. Or an American distributor and then exported. Sure doesn't look like it went to war. Maybe an officer's purchase since they had to supply their own sidearm.

The serial # however doesn't seem to correspond to any commercial shipments in the books. So a letter would reveal its provenance and be extremely interesting! Letters are currently only taking about 2 weeks.

 

[mrcvs]

I have a triple lock, unfortunately converted to .45 Colt, Serial number 5642. It has no caliber marking on the barrel.

Thanks,

Bill




Not bad to be 100 years old.

Bill,

Do you know anything about the rear sight on your gun? My guess is that it is aftermarket but period. I haven't seen this on a Triple Lock before.

 

[Hondo44]

Jim,

The difference between mine and Jim Fisher's is mine has the Canadian military C broad arrow. I sprung for a letter and will post again when it comes in.

Bob

Bob,

Excellent! That should be a very interesting letter!

 

[WCCPHD]

Bill,

Do you know anything about the rear sight on your gun? My guess is that it is aftermarket but period. I haven't seen this on a Triple Lock before.

Its called a "Wondersight." An add on sight that attaches to the frame by removing the "fifth" screw. I found a replacement screw and removed it. I believe they may still be manufactured. They are sometimes available on ebay.