I bought a Triplelock!

[Leslie Sapp]

Smith & Wesson - Model Hand Ejector Model | Live and Online Auctions on HiBid.com

It's far from a pristine example, but it locks up like a bank vault, and looks better in hand than it does in the pictures. Anyway, I'm happy with it.

 

[Leslie Sapp]

More pics

I would appreciate it if someone who has a good understanding of british proofs could enlighten me as to the meaning of each.

 

[quinn]

Little understanding on proofs on my part, but congratulations on joining the New Centruy club!

 

[ralph7]

Wondering about the statement "appears to have been bored out".

 

[murphydog]

Congratulations!

The two facing arrows means it was sold "out of stores" into the commercial market.

The crown/BNP and related information on the left barrel is a commercial proof testing mark. .455 caliber, .760" case length and a proof load of 6 tons per square inch, or about 13600 psi. I believe this is a later (far away from WW I) standard. Others will be along with more details (or corrections ).

 

[rct269]

Quite possibly the finest of all from S&W----particularly when it comes to finishing surfaces that don't need to be finished, and fitting pieces held in place by screws such that the screws are redundant.

I've had the pleasure of sitting and staring at examples of both on a first year Triple Lock Target and a first year Registered Magnum. The Triple Lock wins---not by much, but a win is a win!

Now caring about stuff like that pretty much defines the term "Lunatic Fringe Collector"---but somebody has to do it!

Ralph Tremaine

 

[Leslie Sapp]

Wondering about the statement "appears to have been bored out".

It's been bored out to .45 colt. I haven't fired it yet, but that .45 colt round in the pictures drops in with a satisfying "plunk"

 

[Hondo44]

Congrats!

You have a British Service Revolver chambered for the .455 Mk II Cartridge, made under contract with the English for WWI. There are four types described here: .455 British Svc Revolver Research Thread

Yours is the 2nd type Triple Lock. If you look at the serial numbers of the type 2 you'll see your likely shipped in Dec 1914.

Very common for these to be reamed for 45 Colt like yours. Some for 45 ACP (I can tell that's not the case for yours); typical for many of these .455s.

 

[StrawHat]

Here is my 455 New Century, also rechambered for the 45 long Colt cartridge.

And an image of how the long Colt cartridge fits!

Kevin

 

[mrcvs]

It's been bored out to .45 colt. I haven't fired it yet, but that .45 colt round in the pictures drops in with a satisfying "plunk"

That’s the best way to determine if bored out to .45 Colt.

What was your TOTAL cost for this revolver? I see the hammer price is $725, but what was the total price?

I think you did moderately well on this revolver, all depending on the final price.

In 2016, I believe, about four or five of these bored out to .45 Colt (I don’t say .45 ACP, even though they can fire in these revolvers, or at least the one I bought in 2016, as firing .45 ACP in your Triple Lock revolver might be the last round you ever fire in your revolver) sold within a few weeks of each other in different venues, and each brought $825 or $850, all fees included. I think each of these revolvers was in better shape than yours is, but that was almost 8 years ago now, and those revolvers are probably worth $925 or $950, meaning yours is likely at least a mid $800s revolver.

 

[Leslie Sapp]

What was your TOTAL cost for this revolver?

During the auction I called and questioned a well known collector and S&W expert whose opinion I value highly. His statement about this gun was " I wouldn't pay a thousand for it".

Well, I'm proud to say I did not. I'm in at 998.00.

 

[mrcvs]

During the auction I called and questioned a well known collector and S&W expert whose opinion I value highly. His statement about this gun was " I wouldn't pay a thousand for it".

Well, I'm proud to say I did not. I'm in at 998.00.

I like your sense of humor! Yes, I wouldn’t pay $1000 for it, either.

Get some .45 Colt rounds and shoot it.

 

[mrcvs]

I should also have stated congratulations on your purchase. I purchased my first Triple Lock revolver in the late 1990s—and was not disappointed!

 

[Hawg Rider]

Very nice revolver, and one that's at the top of my Wish List! Although I would prefer a .44 Spl., I certainly wouldn't pass up a .455- especially at that price. And that's my favorite barrel length for a TL, too. Congratulations, enjoy!

 

[Mk VII]

If as appears to be the case, it says H B then it was submitted for proof in 1957.

 

[Hondo44]

Leslie Sapp;

Is the cylinder reamed all the way straight thru the chambers and removed the chamber throats like Kevin's in post #9?

If so and if you reload, you'll get much better accuracy by loading .454 Casull brass. Cut down the cases to the length of the cylinder and seat the bullets flush with the mouth of the cases.

That's how S&W loaded their target .32s and .38s in their top break revolvers in the late 1980's. They were very accurate.

I have a cylinder bored improperly like that and it worked great in my TL 455, that's how I know.

 

[Leslie Sapp]

Jim, the throats are still in there, but a .452 RN cast lead bullet will almost drop through.
It shoots "minute of pieplate" at 10 yards, but I'm going to check the throat dimensions and study my mold collection to see if I have a .45 cal mold that might cast a bit bigger.

 

[mrcvs]

You need to add your revolver to this thread:

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-ha...thread.html?highlight=455+hand+ejector+thread

 

[Leslie Sapp]

You need to add your revolver to this thread:

I figured Jim had already added it to his database. Or would soon.

Do I need to post it's details to that thread?

 

[Hondo44]

Yes please do, thx!