.455 Hand Ejector (2nd Model) Smith & Wesson Question

[jmeddaugh]

Hello,

I have what I believe to be a .455 Hand Ejector (2nd Model) Smith & Wesson. I'd like some help identifying some of the marking on the gun.

-There are 3 stamps on the barrel after "Smith & Wesson .455." The first one is pretty faded.

-Two additional stamps just right of the barrel stamps

-"NOTENGLISHMADE" is also stamped above the trigger

-There is another stamp right of the trigger. It looks like two swords with 2 "B"s and a 5?

-Lastly there is a "11" stamped above the pistol grip.


Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

 

[opoefc]

Those are British markings applied circa WW1 era. The crossed swords is a Birmingham Proof mark. The barrel markings probably relate to marks applied after the gun was sold from surplus military ownership and was sold commercially to a British gun dealer who then sold it to a civilian buyer in England. You can find a better explanation in any good book on Proof marks, etc.

 

[cgt4570]

Unfortunately the barrel's been cut off and the front sight soldered back on.
It came with a 6.5" barrel. Now it looks to be about 4.5 or 5".
A lot of these were converted from .455 to either .45ACP or .45LC.
Yours looks like it's still .455. It will make make a fun shooter if/when you can find ammo for it.

 

[Absalom]

Indeed. Most of the markings you describe are Birmingham commercial proofs under the rule of 1925.

The B-B code in the view mark (crossed swords/scepters) indicates 1951 as the year of proof.

The only markings not associated with that are the crossed-pennant proof on the left front frame (in front of the cylinder), which was applied at the time of entry into service, and the “11” above the grip, which I believe is not the number 11, but the remnant of Roman numeral II, which marked the 2nd Model. The remainder of the Enfield acceptance stack of stampings above that appears to have fallen victim to a refinish.

 

[handejector]

The cylinder shown is from a US Model 1917, and is 45 ACP caliber.
It has a Springfield inspector's S24 eagle head and the ser # 1276?0 and a Brit? proof.

 

[Muley Gil]

Welcome to the Forum.

If you look really, really close, the stamp above the trigger reads "NOT ENGLISH MAKE", not MADE.

 

[StrawHat]

A hearty Buckeye welcome from NE Ohio! Nice way to enter the forum. I recently got my first 455, they seem to be a separate study unto themselves. Hondo44 has a thread going on them. Very interesting.

Kevin

 

[Jack Flash]

Good call on the M1917 cylinder. Looks like it also has M1917 stocks on it.

The barrel looks like it is 4" to me, but I could believe 4.5" if someone insists.

 

[Dave_n]

A hearty Buckeye welcome from NE Ohio! Nice way to enter the forum. I recently got my first 455, they seem to be a separate study unto themselves. Hondo44 has a thread going on them. Very interesting.

Kevin

Starline sells 0.455 brass and the correct 265 grain hollow-based heads can be obtained from Jet Ammo in Alberta. Have been reloading for the Webley 0.455 (S&W revolver Mk II version) and an uncut commercial Webley Mk VI from the late 1930s (which might have come from a shipment to South Africa around that time). For cut Mk VI's I use 0.45 AR cases and 250 grain lead heads for Colt 0.45 sized to 0.454 which work beautifully in cut Mk VI versions. There used to be a chap on this site who made circular shims that permitted you to load 0.455 ammo in cut Mk VI's and they worked very well, bu I think he died a few years ago. Dave_n

 

[Hondo44]

You're right, you have a “455 Mark II Hand Ejector-2nd Model”, he 3rd version British Service 455 revolver.

Go to post #223 for the database info, page 5 to get an idea of when yours likely shipped (updated 6/25/21):
.455 British Svc Revolver Research Thread

 

[glowe]

Welcome to the Forum. Can you take a close-up of the butt number? That gun is definitely chambered in 45ACP as it sits today with an original 1917 cylinder, as Lee stated, and also has Model 1917 stocks. If the barrel is stamped 455, the frame and barrel may be the only things original? Look at the bottom of the butt and see if it matches the barrel serial number.

OK, I just found the information that the barrel was stamped 455, so barrel and frame should match. Still a mixed model gun. Probably shoots just fine!!

 

[Hondo44]

Just for future reference:

WWII Era British proof marked 1917s: About 20,000 1917s were sold to Britain and will have British proof marks, Post #11 here: Model 1917 odd barrel markings - can you help?