.455 British Svc Revolver Research Thread

.455 Triple Lock # 4050 converted to 45lc British proofs with no roll mark.
.455 MKII HE 2nd Model # 35711 converted to 45lc with British proofs. Roll marked
This is my 2nd attempt to reply. Guess the first is lost in cyberspace.

How long have you had the triple lock #4050 If you don't mind me asking?
 
Jim,

I don't know if you saw (or bought) this .455 among the TL's just sold from Larry Gaertner's collection. I bid unsuccessfully. I am wondering if the shipping info in Roy's letter should have been South Africa instead of South America.

Smith and Wesson .455 MK. II H... Auctions Online | Proxibid

Bob

Hi Bob,

No didn't buy that one. Could very well be a misprint or copied from the letter which may have had a typo. Although many 455s were shipped commercially and could have gone all over the world. Only to be eventually found and purchased by an officer, all of whom had to supply their own sidearm.
 
.455 Triple Lock # 4050 converted to 45lc British proofs with no roll mark.
.455 MKII HE 2nd Model # 35711 converted to 45lc with British proofs. Roll marked
This is my 2nd attempt to reply. Guess the first is lost in cyberspace.

First post came thru 30 minutes earlier. Sometimes after clicking the 'Submit' button the page must be refreshed before the post will show.

Thank you!
 
I have a 455 Mkii that was delivered to the Canadians in WW1, been treated a little rough but still in original configuration. It came with 1917 grips, which I have left on due to lack of originals and not knowing the history. Any help in tracking down the unit history would be appreciated.
Stump

profile
Canadian markings
Unit Markings
Butt

Thank you for your submittal. I could not see the entire serial # on the butt. Looks like 470?0. Can you please confirm?
 
S&W MKII .455

S&W MKII serial number 9980 is not marked with the caliber. Some Canadian military marks on left side of receiver, broad star burst over crossed flags. Left side above grip: crossed flags, over mark not readable, over II. Right side next to cylinder retaining screw, 7 lines of precise punctuations in a circle, to block out a stamping? Hope this helps.
 
Thanks Jim!!!!!!
You are an invaluable resource. :)
Denis
 
I posted this one the other day serial number 20509 Canadian marked converted to 45 AR barrel shortened to 4 inches nickle plated no caliber marking doesn't look like it ever had it. It seems to fall into the range where they weren't caliber marked.
 
SER #--32589

I bought this as a shooter rather than a collector.
I believe it to be a heavily modified .455 HE Model II.
It is now .45 LC--work was expertly done and the action is SLICK.
I have asked for the letter just for information.

44-2.JPG
 
Hello, I am a new member of the S&W forum and first time forum user. I live in Australia and have just recently purchased at auction a S&W 1st Model .455cal revolver. It is supposed to be from the 1915 WW1 Gallipoli battlefield and used by a know Australian Lieutenant, yet a friend tells me it may actually be a 1917 revolver judging by its serial number #46837. Can anybody please help me identify what year of manufacture this pistol would have been? Regards, Matt
 
SMLE15, your revolver is a Smith & Wesson 2nd Model Hand Ejector. This gun is not a 1st Model as stated in the auction catalogue, nor is it a 1917.
I did not attend the auction but I do have the catalogue and have also looked at the photograph on line. If any Forum members want to look at this go to Australian Arms Auctions Oct 2017 sale and look for lot 482. How anyone can describe this gun as in good working order and very good condition, as the description states, I can't fathom. It has been destroyed by the sawcut in the barrel. This is an example of the poor descriptions that are so common with AAA.
The people who destroy guns like this are, to put it mildly, philistines. If I stated my true opinion my intemperate language would have me thrown off the Forum.

Frank S.
 
Matt, welcome to the forum!

Yes a "455 Hand Ejector - 2nd Model" shipped in the 1st quarter of 1916.

Yeah, describing it as "o/w gwo" (otherwise good working order). No kidding; a pretty sneaky way of describing it as NOT SHOOTABLE!!!

What a sacrilege since one could still shoot it but with a huge sacrifice in velocity and no one better be standing to the right of it!
 
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Hi Jim, thanks for the warm welcome. I have lover S&W since the old Dirty Harry films in the 70's/80's and was more very impressed with a documentary about the company's beginnings. Thank you fo the information, bit sad about it not being a 1915 revolver and yes, terrible shame that somebody had 'deactivated it'. Regards, Matt
 
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