.455 MarkII Hand Ejector 2nd Model

[26betsam]

Greetings from South Florida,
Won this piece on gun broker and its in amazing shape considering the age and history.
Serial #37433 my research puts it as a 1916 piece.
My question is does any one know if these were reimported back to the US after WW1 or WW2? Possibly a GI duffle bag bring back?
I'm an amateur historian and love old S&W's.
Thanks in advance,
Kevin
PS there's no import marks just British proof marks

 

[Mbrgr1]

Well, my

.455 HE MKII shipped in June 1916, serial number 67085.


The serial range was about 5000 to 75000 give or take, 1915 to 1917.


Some were brought back I imagine and some imported, mine has no import marks, it went to Canada first, then drafted into WWII and off to Australia, now residing in Oklahoma.


How bout some pics!

 

[Hondo44]

Welcome to the forum.

Thousands were returned to the US. I don't recall seeing any with import marks. I wouldn't doubt a few may have come back across the big pond in duffel bags.

They are the subject of many discussions on this forum. Usually about the many that were converted from the original .455 mk II cartridge to US cartridges like .45 Colt and .45 Auto. Also about their provenance.

 

[Goony]

Mine, serial # 630XX, bought 34 years ago is a gun shop in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Marked with deaccession broad arrows.