Hi Folks.... I have here a .455 Hand Ejector Mk.2 Mod.2
Apart from the somewhat obvious sighting changes it is in original good condition; tight lockup , good trigger and shoots great with my 260 gr. handloads. It has no military marks at all. Does seem to me unusual to have a pinned front sight as my other .455 HEs do not. The revolver was shipped July 1915 and according to Roy "was a rare commercial shipment".
I don't know the steps in between but it was carried in WW1 by Lt. Harry Reymes in the Canadian Expeditionary Force. As with many Canadians who were quick to volunteer, Harry was English-born but worked as a farmer in Ontario and left behind a wife when he enlisted at age 34 in October 1915. Originally attached to 80th Battalion he was soon part of the 46th (Saskatchewan) Batt. as one of the many replacements needed due to high casualty rates. This unit has been nicknamed the "Suicide Battalion" due to the hell-holes they fought in and the constant need for replacements. ( 5,374 men served in the 46th and 4,917 were casualties, a rate of 91.5%)
He likely saw action near Ypres in Nth France and later in October/November 1916 at the Somme. In December they were in a "rest front" position by Vimy Ridge, 300 yards from the German lines. Before the battle which saw Canadians taking Vimy Ridge, Harry had joined the casualties.... not wounded but ill.. Enteritis/Dysentry, Pyorrhoea (gum infection; he lost 6 teeth at this time) and inability to sleep. He was invalided out and eventually sent home, though the Medical Board felt he could not return to his farming way of life....
Apart from the somewhat obvious sighting changes it is in original good condition; tight lockup , good trigger and shoots great with my 260 gr. handloads. It has no military marks at all. Does seem to me unusual to have a pinned front sight as my other .455 HEs do not. The revolver was shipped July 1915 and according to Roy "was a rare commercial shipment".
I don't know the steps in between but it was carried in WW1 by Lt. Harry Reymes in the Canadian Expeditionary Force. As with many Canadians who were quick to volunteer, Harry was English-born but worked as a farmer in Ontario and left behind a wife when he enlisted at age 34 in October 1915. Originally attached to 80th Battalion he was soon part of the 46th (Saskatchewan) Batt. as one of the many replacements needed due to high casualty rates. This unit has been nicknamed the "Suicide Battalion" due to the hell-holes they fought in and the constant need for replacements. ( 5,374 men served in the 46th and 4,917 were casualties, a rate of 91.5%)
He likely saw action near Ypres in Nth France and later in October/November 1916 at the Somme. In December they were in a "rest front" position by Vimy Ridge, 300 yards from the German lines. Before the battle which saw Canadians taking Vimy Ridge, Harry had joined the casualties.... not wounded but ill.. Enteritis/Dysentry, Pyorrhoea (gum infection; he lost 6 teeth at this time) and inability to sleep. He was invalided out and eventually sent home, though the Medical Board felt he could not return to his farming way of life....
