.455 British Svc Revolver Research Thread

[Wiregrassguy]

Yes Arlen it's safe to shoot 455. You might even can shoot 45 Colt if you had any. The Colts probably a better man stopper than the Webley.

Guy

 

[lamarw]

lamarw & mrcvs,

Thank you both for the additions to the research study!

Congrats!! Those are both extremely nice examples at a very fair price!

The Triple Lock has the wrong stocks, it's true. But they are much more scarce, worth more than the correct stocks, and are from the 1930s with flat silver medallions. The correct stocks with recessed gold plated medallions are not hard to find since there were ~90,000 produced.

It's misrepresented in the auction description as being in the 44 HE 1st model serial range of 15,000. But it's actually #2934 British Svc Revolver serial range of the 2nd version:

".455 Mark II HE - 1st Model TL" in the new .455 British serial # range 1 to over 5800* shipped 1914-15. Thus creating 67 duplicate serial #s with the 666 1st version in #1. above in the ".44 HE 1st Model TL" .455 factory conversion serial number range.

*Previously reported as 1 to 5461. After this shipment there were some of this model sold commercially all in the 5502 - 5857 range, but including a few military issues in that range as well.

The revolver #30825 BSR of the 3rd version:

3. ".455 Mark II HE - 2nd Model" (sans extractor barrel shroud and 3rd lock), and the cylinder ctr pin hole in the extractor star is reduced .020" with the associated Ext Rod rear tip reduced .020" in diameter from the TL versions, the ".44 HE 1st Model Triple Lock" factory converted to .455, and the ".455 HE 1st Model Triple Lock" produced in .455 (documented in Neal & Jinks Pg. 215-16.) This version was referred to as the MK II revolver by the British and stamped 'II' by them, upper left rear side of frame. The 2nd Model continued in the .455 1st Model TL Brit serial range and beginning ~ after #5857 (previously thought to be 5462) to #74755, shipped 1915-17.

The grips don't fit properly and may be off the TL; check penciled serial # on the back of the right grip to verify if it matches the TL #2934.

It's interesting that both are stamped "Simpson LTD" on the butt.

Thank you Jim for both your kind and informative comments. I too, wondered about the Simpson LTD stampings. They could of been the consignor or someone purchased both revolvers from them and later was the consignor. I do not know whether Simpson LTD is an importer or not.

The auction price shown in above attachment included the buyer's premium.

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Simpson LTD

 

[Arlan]

You men are great people. Thank you.
Arlan

 

[Hondo44]

Arlan,

Yes, it's perfectly safe to shoot the 455 in your gun! Shoot as many as you want.

It would still be interesting to know if a 45 Colt fit in the chambers, those are perfectly safe too if they fit.

Either one would ruin the meth head's day!

 

[lamarw]

Simpson LTD

Thanks Guy, I did research this a little bit earlier.

I got your PM and attempted to respond. I am getting a message my PM box is over filled. I have attempted to empty it with little apparent if any apparent results.

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Lamar,
You have to empty both the Inbox and Sent messages folders. There is a drop down menu above the folder controls color bar to let you select which box. Just click on the down caret to select Inbox or Sent folders.

 

[Eltioloco]

Here is my 2nd Model. Serial #65,305.
On left side of barrel: Smith & Wesson .455.
British Army broad arrow and Enfield proofed.
On right side marked E149.
It wears a 1917 cylinder for chambering .45 AR/ACP. The original cylinder was milled for .45 ACP.
Ken


attachment.php?attachmentid=489161&...nt.php?attachmentid=489162&stc=1&d=1609432445

 

[Dolf]

I have a TL .455 Webley Bisley Target # 4054 without caliber, only barrel S&W address above, built around 1906
And a 2nd model .455 Webley # 21938 also without caliber
best regards
Christian

 

[tommy F]

455s

1709 Triple lock 455
19478 2nd 455
22425 2nd 455
27465 2nd 455
B33498 2nd 455
B59365 2nd 455
all converted AR or Colt

 

[TheGoldenCaulk]

Triple Lock, SN: 3240, All original finish, No caliber marking, tons of British proofs so definitely military, also has what looks to be "OFL" marked on the butt of the left grip panel. Any idea what that might mean?

S&W Triple Lock - Album on Imgur

.455 Mark II, SN: 53433, Caliber marked "SMITH & WESSON .455", Crown over C marked on the butt (or maybe it's an O) so I think that makes it Canadian, shows original duller blued finish.

S&W .455 Hand Ejector Mark II - Album on Imgur

 

[merl67]

Triple Lock 2940 no caliber roll mark still in original chambering not modified original finish.

 

[fjruple]

I have a 2nd model, 6 1/2 inch .455, serial 26161, the revolver was imported from Canada back in the 1970's. I do not think it has the caliber marked on the barrel.

 

[Hondo44]

I have a TL .455 Webley Bisley Target # 4054 without caliber, only barrel S&W address above, built around 1906
And a 2nd model .455 Webley # 21938 also without caliber
best regards
Christian

Thank you for those two!

I would letter #4054 to confirm factory sight installation and exact shipping date. A fairly rare gun that could have some interesting history.

 

[mrcvs]

Thank you for those two!

I would letter #4054 to confirm factory sight installation and exact shipping date. A fairly rare gun that could have some interesting history.

There was a whole thread about this revolver: Need help identifying and old S&W Revolver

 

[Hondo44]

1709 Triple lock 455
19478 2nd 455
22425 2nd 455
27465 2nd 455
2nd 455
all converted AR or Colt

Thank you for those:

1709 is a 2nd version; ".455 MkII - 1st Model", not caliber marked.

The rest are 3rd versions; ".455 MkII - 2nd Model":
22425 not cal marked.
27465 Is this one caliber marked on barrel?
B33498 & B59365 - the B is for blue finish and not part of the serial #. These two should be caliber marked.

 

[JMtoolman]

Second Mod. .455

Hondo, I have another .455 for your information. It's a second model, number 21273 shipped to the Canadian Government in Ottawa on October 14, 1915. It's in very good shape and unmessed with. A bit of blue missing but about 90 %. It is marked .455 on the left side of the barrel. It is in almost new shape! If you need pictures will see if I can get my son to help me send you some. Best regards, John.

 

[Hondo44]

Triple Lock, SN: 3240, All original finish, No caliber marking, tons of British proofs so definitely military, also has what looks to be "OFL" marked on the butt of the left grip panel. Any idea what that might mean?

S&W Triple Lock - Album on Imgur

.455 Mark II, SN: 53433, Caliber marked "SMITH & WESSON .455", Crown over C marked on the butt (or maybe it's an O) so I think that makes it Canadian, shows original duller blued finish.

S&W .455 Hand Ejector Mark II - Album on Imgur

Thanks for those two.

3240 is a 2nd version BSR; ".455 MkII - 1st Model". The OFL is almost assuredly the user's initials.

53433 - is a 3rd version BSR; ".455 MkII - 2nd Model". Crown over poorly stamped O on the butt. The # is likely too low to be one of the 14,500 Canadian shipped guns, but only a letter would confirm for sure.
Also all of these Svc revolvers, British and Canadian shipped guns have a shiny finish, not dull.

 

[Hondo44]

Triple Lock 2940 no caliber roll mark still in original chambering not modified original finish.

Thank you.

A 2nd version, "455 Mark II Hand Ejector-1st Model" Triple Lock.

 

[Hondo44]

I have a 2nd model, 6 1/2 inch .455, serial 26161, the revolver was imported from Canada back in the 1970's. I do not think it has the caliber marked on the barrel.

It's a ".455 MkII - 2nd Model" 3rd version British Svc Revolver shipped from the USA in 1915.

Are there any British import, military or proof marks on it? It likely came from England to Canada earlier.

It's not likely caliber marked but to add to the study, it would have to be confirmed.

Thank you!