.455 HE 2nd Model

[DARE]

I had one that I regret selling. Do not have a picture.
6 1/2" blue, SN 46525. Marked .45 S&W on left side of the barrel. No butt swivel.
Have read about these that were converted to .45 Colt and that there are good and bad ways to do the conversion.
Don't know anything about .45 S&W.
Would this conversion keep you from shooting .455?
Would it fire other cartridges?
Believe mine had British markings but not sure.
Thanks for your help on this.

 

[glowe]

The Schofield caliber was called 45 S&W? Schofield round was longer than the 455 so alteration of the chambers would still have to be done. The best way to convert was to counter-sink the round, so they would fit in the narrow space between cylinder and recoil shield. The less desirable ways to convert was to either shave the rear of the cylinder or the recoil shield. Any of these conversions would leave too much space and the 455 would see a lot of light strikes on the primer.

Let me add that the normal conversion to 45 Colt, counter-sunk rim would not allow for the 455 round to go into the sunken chambers. The 45 Schofield has a larger rim diameter, close to the 455 so could not be supported by the rear of the cylinder. BTW, if 45 S&W, it would be an uncommon conversion. I have never seen one.

 

[DARE]

Gary,
Went to "Cartridges of the World" to learn about .45 S&W.
You were correct that it was for the Schofield. Black powder, introduced in 1875. It was a shorter version of the .45 Colt cartridge.
The .45 S&W cartridge was loaded by government arsenals and used in the Schofield and Colt Army to simplify supply.
Says .45 S&W can be used in any .45 Colt revolver.

 

[Kinman]

Dave, You are correct in that the Schofield round can be fired in the SAA or other .45 Colt chambered pieces. However the problem the military had was that the .45 Colt would not chamber in the shorter cylinder of the Schofield. They shipped .45 Colt to at least one military outpost that was issued Schofields which led to a typical SNAFU. This happened to a very early detachment located in Humbolt, Ca. The shipment came via ship around the tip of South America. I've heard varying accounts but its possible that on the next shipment they got Colts. With large hands I prefer the Schofield over the Colt SAA.