Brit or Canadian 455 ?

[Joe1956]

My 455 Ely Hand Ejector SN 5907 is proof marked with what looks like a crown over a number (119?)over an E over an II. I've been told this gun was:
A. Issued to RCMP
B. Canadian Army
C. British Army
short of writing a letter to S&W can anyone tell me for sure ? TIA...Joe

 

[Joe1956]

My 455 Ely Hand Ejector SN 5907 is proof marked with what looks like a crown over a number (119?)over an E over an II. I've been told this gun was:
A. Issued to RCMP
B. Canadian Army
C. British Army
short of writing a letter to S&W can anyone tell me for sure ? TIA...Joe

 

[PZ93C]

Britain.

 

[Art Doc]

I believe RCMP guns are marked as such.

I think Canadian guns have the "broad arrow" marking that sort of looks like an Indian arrow head.

 

[deadin]

Saxon is right that RCMP guns are usually marked as such.

The Canadian property mark is usually a "Broad Arrow" inside a large "C".

The mark you describe (Crown over E) is found on British issue guns. I don't know that I have seen one on a Canadian.

I'm assuming your gun is a .455 MkII, 2nd Model?? (or is it a Triple Lock?)

 

[MikeyL]

The crown over various other marks 'II' or 'E' indicate British use during WWI. The 'Broad-arrow' mark generally denotes Canadian use. Any RCMP-issued revolvers are stamped on the backstrap or butt with either NWMP, or RCMP (after 1926) and a weapon (inventory?) number. JFYI, my book on Mountie sidearms notes that the Colt New Service in .455 was the preferred handgun until the mid-1950's. I always hoped my early Hand Ejector was a Mountie gun, too, but no such luck!

MikeyL
SWCA #2010

 

[cgt4570]

Also, typically, the Brits would proof stamp EVERYTHING! (Frame, Barrel, and all 6 Cylinders inside the flutes). My Cannuck shipped guns have minimal proofs like US guns.
Chris

 

[cxm]

The EII/crown presents a problem...

EII (Elizabeth II) dates to 1952 at the earliest... and a .455 HE is much older. A .455 should have GV if it has such markings (George V.)

FWIW

Chuck

Originally posted by Joe1956:
My 455 Ely Hand Ejector SN 5907 is proof marked with what looks like a crown over a number (119?)over an E over an II. I've been told this gun was:
A. Issued to RCMP
B. Canadian Army
C. British Army
short of writing a letter to S&W can anyone tell me for sure ? TIA...Joe

 

[Joe1956]

The markings.....

 

[digi-shots]

Very nice looking!

Appears to be British Military inspection stamp... E for the Royal Arms Factory at Enfield.

WWI British "broad arrow" stamp (flairs outward just a bit).

 

[Jack Flash]

I believe the "II" indicates that it is safe to fire with .455 Webley Mark II ammunition, powered by smokeless powder (cordite) as opposed to earlier models still in inventory that were black powder only.

 

[Texas Star]

This is probably right: MK. II ammo suitable, or Hand Ejector MK.II.

The Royal Cipher for the present monarch, who has been on the throne since 1952, is E II R, Elizabeth II Regina.

Her reign began after these guns were declared surplus, although some were released as surplus after she was crowned. They may have proofs from that era, although I have't seen any.

Some do have markings such as "Released British Govt. 1952", etc. Those markings seem mainly to be on Colt .45 auto pistols, which were extensively used by Commandos and SOE operators, among other British units.

T-Star

 

[PJGP]

Originally posted by Texas Star:
This is probably right: MK. II ammo suitable, or Hand Ejector MK.II.
T-Star

Come on guys! The II is for the Mark of the "Pistol, Smith & Wesson, .455 inch, with 6.5 inch barrel, Mark II (Land), and the 119 E is the Enfield inspector's mark.

Peter