.455 Mk. II with unit markings

[LC '92]

At the HGCA show this weekend I found the shown .455 Mark II Hand Ejector 2nd. model. Ser. #49395. Very interesting revolver. Canadian property marks, lanyard ring still attached, mechanically fine and about 50% finish remaining.

Has an interesting hybrid .45 Colt conversion that allows both .455 and .45 Colt to be fired in it. Each of the cylinders chambers have been countersunk just enough to allow the Colt rim to clear the recoil shield. The larger .455 rim bridges this countersink and laps the original rear of the cylinder and allows it to headspace properly. Thankfully the barrel was not remarked by grinding off the last 5 in .455. The rear of the cylinder still retains the mismatched serial number and the proof marks.

The grips were junkers and from the 60's and I put these old diamond magnas on until I can locate the correct ones. The horn on these grips actually hides two proof marks. Anyone got a correct set?

In addition to all the English and Canadian proofing gibberish stamped all over it, on the backstrap were some non-factory stampings. 1.C.M.M.B being the primary one. See the enclosed photo. A little research indicates this stands for 1st. Canadian Motor Machine Gun Brigade. This was an armored fighting unit whose armored vehicles were purchased by well-to-do civilian Canadians in 1915 and sent to Europe.

Anybody ever seen a revolver marked like this one? I know we have some Canadians on here and surely they will have info on it.

 

[zywina]

Don't have my Canadian Military Markings book handy, but I would say your dead on the initials! Unfortunately we were woefully unprepared for WW1 and like any good British Common Wealth, the rich donated items to the cause, I imagine like today for SATUS among the elite rich!! Even up here in Canada the original service grips are getting a might hard to find, guys are now realizing what great guns these are. Most time to find parts I and other have to find full guns and buy them to get the parts we need. If you contact Armco here in Canada they might have a used set to sell, as they do custom work on pistols. good luck Dale Z in Canada!

 

[grahamcabdesign]

I have a 455 also and am seeing some similarities in the description of the cylinder. The cylinder and barrel serial numbers match 63101 but the frame is stamped V 492. This gun is chambered for 45 LC. I wasn't aware that there might be a possibility that it is still chambered for the 455 as well. There are no unit markings so I'm wondering if this gun was put together with different parts since the bluing is very nice.

 

[glowe]

If the cylinder was shortened to accept the rim of a .45LC, there might be too much room for the .455 between the cylinder and the frame.

What you are doing when shooting .455 in a modified revolver is exposing the back of the brass casing to unprotected high pressures. Don't think I have ever heard of anyone having problems with this particular situation with the old .455's, but have seen other revolvers with shortened cylinders have case ruptures at the base of the exposed brass.

Check for bulging at the brass at the base, which would make reoloading fired .455 cases difficult.

 

[JSR III]

I have a 455 also and am seeing some similarities in the description of the cylinder. The cylinder and barrel serial numbers match 63101 but the frame is stamped V 492.

Where is the V 492 stamping? If it is in the yoke area either on the yoke or the frame, it is most likely an assembly number and not the serial number. Is there a number on the butt of the gun? What about on the yoke looking through one of the charge holes using a very bright light?

If the number located in those 4 spots is the same, then your gun is all original.

 

[LC '92]

The cylinder has not been shortened. As shown, just a tiny bit of each charge hole has been countersunk, about 1/3 the thickness of a .45 Colt rim. The brass head of the .455 easily contains any pressure this close to the rim.

If you have to convert one of these, this seems like a very well thought out solution.

JSR III I didn't know about the serial number viewing through the charge hole. Looks like my revolver is all matching except the cylinder and crane. They match each other but not the serial number on the butt of the gun and bottom of the barrel.

 

[Jack Flash]

In addition to all the English and Canadian proofing gibberish stamped all over it ...

Hey! Some of us like that gibberish! In fact some consider gibberish to be my primary language!

If you have to convert one of these, this seems like a very well thought out solution.

It sure does sound like someone had on his thinking cap. I do not advocate converting one, but that's the way to go if you gotta go that way.

 

[grahamcabdesign]

Thanks JSRIII, The V 492 stamping is behind the yoke on the frame and is probably an assembly number. That makes me feel better and I will proceed with the first problem of push-off and then will deal with the sear catching and forcing the trigger forward on the single action mode. goose

 

[JSR III]

Thanks JSRIII, The V 492 stamping is behind the yoke on the frame and is probably an assembly number. That makes me feel better and I will proceed with the first problem of push-off and then will deal with the sear catching and forcing the trigger forward on the single action mode. goose

Is there a serial number on the butt and/or the yoke as seen through a charge hole? Do you have any photos that you can share? We love photos...

 

[getoff]

i can hear the whistle and the call for over the wall... very cool revolver. hope its a true piece of history.

 

[Texas Star]

i can hear the whistle and the call for over the wall... very cool revolver. hope its a true piece of history.

I believe they actually called that going "over the top" (of the trenches), not over the wall. But this gun has been there and probably done that. It's a piece of history!

 

[grahamcabdesign]

Yes I do have pictures. If I can upload them I will. Hope this works.

 

[grahamcabdesign]

I took a picture and blew it up to find that what I thought was a V was actually a 7. Here is some more pics that show the manufacture number under the yoke and the partial recess in the cylinder. Those are snap caps just in case I incur the wrath of the safety minded. goose

 

[Jack Flash]

I believe they actually called that going "over the top" (of the trenches), not over the wall. ...

Yes.

There was a book written by an American who joined up with the British Army in 1915 or 1916. He wrote a book about his experiences with that for the title. It was very popular back then. If you can find a copy it's a darned good read.

Maybe your library can get Over the Top by Arthur Guy Empey (spelling of his name to the best of my memory).

Here it is on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_s...rican+soldier+who+went&sprefix=Over+the+top+b

 

[Elmer]

Good info. I have a .455 that looks like it was similarly converted.

The "Not English Made" stamps on it always amuse me.

 

[brucek]

I had a colt new service 455 that was converted the same way, worked well with both cartridges