.455 Hand Ejector

[4330Inroute]

I was in a small gun shop on Sat. and came across a .455 Hand Ejector that looked very promising until I opened up the cylinder. The back of the cylinder had been machined down to accept I believe .45 Auto Rim or .45 ACP with moon clips. The owner didn't have either moon clips or an Auto Rim case to check the fit. We thought initially it was just bored thru for .45 Colt. I dropped one into a charge hole and the gap between the case and the recoil shield was quite large. It appeared to me just using the naked eye that too much metal was taken off, I doubt the firing pin would have reached the primer. The bore was slightly pitted. When I checked the butt for the serial number it had also been ground down and the serial number had been hand stamped and it matched the number under the barrel flat. I thanked him and just walked away from it. At 450.00 it didn't seem worth the money.

My question is would another cylinder such as a 1917 in .45 ACP or one in .44 Special and a matching barrel be a feasible fix for this revolver? From what I saw on Gunbroker the cost in parts would match the value of the revolver not to mention the cost of labor would make it an expensive shooter. Is this an accurate assessment?

 

[john traveler]

That's an accurate assessment.

The cost of an M1917 barrel and cylinder, or a .44 Special cylinder with the fitting costs would come close to matching the purchase price.

If the .455 chambers were simply deepened to accept .45 Colt, that would be additonal evidence that the conversion was half-assed, as converting to a .45 ACP/.45 Auto Rim would make for a more usable gun. If the recoil shield was filed down, all bets are all for correct fitting of a replacement cylinder.

 

[4330Inroute]

Thanks for reaffirming my assesment. Your comments are very much appreciated. As much as I would like to have had it the cost would be just too much. I'll just keep looking for another old Smith to take home.

 

[LoboGunLeather]

Lots of these .455's were re-imported during the 1950's and 1960's, and subsequently altered to accept .45 ACP on half-moon clips. Quality of the work varied considerably, with some simply butchered. Even those that were done reasonably well provided only fair service.

 

[4330Inroute]

I went back and had another look at the .455. I took along a fired Auto Rim case with me. There was just too much of a gap for the case to move around. It was just sad to see what had been done to it. I guess you can't rescue every stray you come across.

 

[Andy Griffith]

If the price was right, but it would have to be really right, or have some historical or family value, or that you just wanted to spend the money- as it would never be valuable like an untouched piece.

There is a firm outside Lakeland, Florida that does make new cylinders w/extractors and will make them for .455 caliber (I inquired, but haven't bought one yet). They'll run about $300, plus having it fitted by a S&W armorer or gunsmith, and also have to have it blued after fitting.

 

[4330Inroute]

Thanks for the information. Although tempting I know I could never break even if I bought it. At 300 for a new cylinder plus 450 for the purchase plus shipping and labor it's too expensive for a rare caliber shooter. It would be cheaper to hold out for a nice 1917 or even one of the newer .45's.