Hand ejector question
- Thread starter Taycel
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Welcome to the forum. We need to see the revolver to determine what model it is. Post pictures of both sides and the serial number on the bottom of the grip frame.
Probably .455 Webley made around 1915. Has been buffed and Nickel plated. Some original markings might have been buffed out.
Show us the rear face of the cylinder please. If it still has the serial number, it may still be a .455. It could have been re-chambered to .45 Colt.
This is a 2nd Model .455 with an aftermarket nickel finish.
This is a 2nd Model .455 with an aftermarket nickel finish.
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Don't do it. The .45 ACP cartridge has 25% more pressure than the .455 and is basically a proof load.
If I were going to modify it, 45 Colt would be my choice. Shave the recoil shield and lengthen the cylinder holes. That's the way this one was done, works fine with 45 Colt ammo not that I shoot it all that much.
I'd leave it as you found it if still in .455, ammo can be found occasionally.
Jeff
SWCA #1457
https://flic.kr/p/2pyHXhC https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934231@N03/Yes! Those British Service revolvers (not a pistol) are chambered for the 455 MkI cartridge which is the same as 455 Colt. Although these guns were intended to also use the newer and shorter cartridge 455 MKII for WWI. In case the English ran short of MKII ammo, they could resort to using the old longer MkI ammo inventory.
S&W made about 75,000 of these and about 1/2 were marked .455 and 1/2 were not.
Since yours is no longer original or collectible any longer, no harm in converting it to 45 Colt. And if you have it done the correct way, it will still safely shoot 455 Colt, 455 MkI and MKII.
Do not shave the rear cylinder face or the recoil shield surface! Have the chambers reamed for 45 Colt with a .015” deep chamber mouth recess for the 45 Colt to headspace properly. Because the 455 case thinner rims are larger diameter they will not fit into the chamber recess and therefore maintain they’re proper headspace.
S&W made about 75,000 of these and about 1/2 were marked .455 and 1/2 were not.
Since yours is no longer original or collectible any longer, no harm in converting it to 45 Colt. And if you have it done the correct way, it will still safely shoot 455 Colt, 455 MkI and MKII.
Do not shave the rear cylinder face or the recoil shield surface! Have the chambers reamed for 45 Colt with a .015” deep chamber mouth recess for the 45 Colt to headspace properly. Because the 455 case thinner rims are larger diameter they will not fit into the chamber recess and therefore maintain they’re proper headspace.
DWalt
Member
Yes, the only proper conversion to .45 Colt is to lengthen the chambers and recess the chamber mouths to accept the thicker .45 Colt cartridge rims. Anything else is butchery. .45 Colt standard lead bullet factory loads or equivalent handloads will be safe in it. It is just a shooter so no need to be concerned about decreasing its collector value as it has none.
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The little crossed flags on the left side of the frame are a giveaway that it is a 455. Despite the refinish, 455’s are pretty uncommon, as most that made it to the states were converted into 45 auto or colt. I would keep it original get a couple boxes of ammo and a set of reloading dies and keep the caliber intact
DWalt
Member
Point is that it is not now original and never can be.
I have one that has had the rear of the cyl shaved to accept .45 ACP with clips or .45 Auto Rim. I like this modification because the AR case is easy to handload with low pressure cast bullet handloads.
A simple chamber recess of .045” would be all that’s needed to shoot 45 AR. And still be able to shoot the 455 cartridges.
DWalt
Member
A minimally visible alteration which turns it into a shooter which uses relatively common and available .45 Colt (and similar but shorter variations) ammunition.
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VASCAR2
Member
Starline has 455 Webley Mark II brass in stock in case you keep it original.
455 Webley MKII - Large Pistol - Brass Cases
455 Webley MKII - Large Pistol - Brass Cases
SGT ROCK 11B
Member
Fiocchi and Hornady has factory loads in .455 if you do not reload.
I found it interesting a 100+ year old revolver with 40 year old grips on it.
I found it interesting a 100+ year old revolver with 40 year old grips on it.
SGT ROCK 11B
Member
Leave it as .455. I am a reloader and I like to load the odd calibers.
While 45 ACP factory loads are in the 20,000 pressure range (to properly operate the slide of a 1911 auto) and the 1917 Army has a heat treated cylinder for that reason, the 455 cylinders are not heat treated and therefore shooting ACP factory loads is not recommended.
However factory 45 Auto Rim ammo is only loaded to 15,000 pressure which is the same as 455 ammo. Therefore it's perfectly safe in converted 455 revolvers. No need to load them down.
However factory 45 Auto Rim ammo is only loaded to 15,000 pressure which is the same as 455 ammo. Therefore it's perfectly safe in converted 455 revolvers. No need to load them down.
