I have this box and am wondering what model would have been shipped in it? 1st model (triple lock), or 2nd model? Thanks for any help!
.455 Hand Ejector Box question
- Thread starter cbjordan76
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I think it would be a 2nd Model 455 like this one
See the serial number on the bottom of the box in Lyle's post #2? Look for the serial # on the bottom of your box and I'll be able to tell you. That will be the easiest way to tell.
Pay no attention to the label on the inside of your cover. Triple Locks chambered in S&W .45 Special, military designation .45 Frankford, were submitted for the 1906 military trials for a new sidearm. As we all know the Colt Model 1911 was chosen. Those boxes were ordered by S&W when they contemplated getting a military contact.
The S&W .45 Special commercial model never materialized. The ~20,000 boxes were used for many of the .455 Mk II British Service Revolvers. The outside end of the boxes were relabeled but not inside the cover.
Of course S&W did eventually end up with a military contract for the US ARMY .45 ACP Model 1917.
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OP
I thank both Lyle and you for your responses. Unfortunately there is no visible serial number on the bottom of the box.
I just didn’t know if the .455 1st model I have (don’t know how to link thread from several years ago) might have been shipped in something like this as I never seen one before.
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That's a little unusual. I presume you used good light or sunlight.
Assuming the 20,000 boxes were used for the first 20,000 BSRs, Triple Locks made up 6669 of the first 20,000 shipped; about 1/3. So there's a 33% chance it was a triple lock, No other way to know.
Assuming the 20,000 boxes were used for the first 20,000 BSRs, Triple Locks made up 6669 of the first 20,000 shipped; about 1/3. So there's a 33% chance it was a triple lock, No other way to know.
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OP
I did use natural sunlight for the pencil number as well as good lighting in the shop (I think). I appreciate your knowledge as always!
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Thx for the photos. Looks like 62868. Well above any possibility that it could be a triple lock number which would be below 15000.
OP
Thank you! My eyes are not what they used to be unfortunately.
I see 62868 as well
handejector
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We KNOW the 2nd models shipped in those boxes, so it follows that the 455 TLs almost certainly shipped in them also because they already existed when the 455 TLs were built.
Exactly, if they used up 45 Special boxes first, all of the early 6669 TLs (not counting the later 691 shipped in 1917).
But what has me scratching my head is: if what we hear is true that about 20,000 of those .45 Special boxes had been made but we have two of those boxes shown here spanning #12309 and #62868.
Apparently they were used randomly thru out production like all other parts at the assembly benches.
Or maybe they only resorted to using them when correct .455 BSR box production lagged behind gun production.
But what has me scratching my head is: if what we hear is true that about 20,000 of those .45 Special boxes had been made but we have two of those boxes shown here spanning #12309 and #62868.
Apparently they were used randomly thru out production like all other parts at the assembly benches.
Or maybe they only resorted to using them when correct .455 BSR box production lagged behind gun production.
handejector
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How do we know 20,000 of those boxes were made? I have never heard that, and I REALLY tend to doubt it. Why do that before you know you will need them? They can be made up rapidly by just gluing paper labels that any printer can make quickly onto blank boxes.
What is a "correct" 455 box? I have never seen anything for a 455 except these 45 Special boxes with or without the 455 label pasted over the green label.
I’m writing an article for the Journal on the .45 Special boxes, so I’d like to know about that 20,000 number too.
Some threads about the S&W .45 Special:
See Ed Cornett's post referencing boxes.
https://smith-wessonforum.com/threads/sw-45-special-box.497972/
https://smith-wessonforum.com/threads/the-army-tests-the-triple-lock-in-1907.239473/
More references I had are threads from the old members forum that no longer function.
Still looking...
A box with this label......
without this label underneath or the inside cover text?? Ask Roy?
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