model455

[holiday442]

Hi all. I have a chance to buy a model 455. The price is 500.00.
Following is the write up on the revolver. I really want another 1917 but this came up.
455 Mark II Hand Ejector 2nd model. Nice bluing and case colors. Really nice affordable S&W 5 screw revolver. A lot of history. Was purchased by Remington during WWI ( crossed pennants) and shipped to Australia, or New Zealand. ( No British proofs or Canadian broad arrows). It has the correct decommissioned stamps, X with vertical line through it, before it was returned. Factory cylinder to convert it to .45 ACP or .45 Auto Rim.
I will try to attach a picture of the gun.
Am I going wrong to buy this 455 at 500.00 or should I hold out for the 1917?
Thanks in advance.

 

[DWalt]

Jump on it. Really. Jump on it. Even with the incorrect grips.

 

[Hondo44]

It's a beauty!

Don't even think about, do like DWalt posted. If you find a 1917 you want later, you can always get your money back at that price.

What does this mean? "Factory cylinder to convert it to .45 ACP or .45 Auto Rim." The photo gives the impression it's ALREADY converted.

If it's not yet converted, I would not for future originality value and collectibility.

Shooting 45 ACP in 455 chambers (they will work with clips when the cyl has been shaved for 45 AR) is controversial.

.45 ACP is not a recommended conversion for the 455s because they do not have heat treated cylinders. The 455 Mk II ammo (also referenced as 455 Webley Mk II) is in the 14,000 pressure range and the 45 ACP in the 19,000 – 21,000 range to insure it would cycle the 1911 auto slide reliably. The 1917 S&W and Colt Army revolvers were designed for the ACP and have heat treated cylinders.

I caution about the use of full load ACP with its factory loading of at least 21,000 units pressure. The increase of 7000 units over the 455 ammo’s 14,000 units pressure: 7000 divided by 14,000 = a 50% increase. And especially do not shoot +P loadings.

If you reload 45 ACP, just keep them in the 45 AR pressure range because 45 AR (Auto Rim) was designed for revolvers and is in the same 14,000 low pressure range as 455 ammo, thus perfectly safe.

 

[Dave T]

Also, given the .455" groove diameter of the original barrel don't expect brilliant accuracy out of .451" of .452" bullets. Soft lead may up-set enough to shoot reasonably well but I think hard cast and jacketed might rattle a bit going down the tube.

Dave

 

[DWalt]

"Factory cylinder to convert it to .45 ACP or .45 Auto Rim."

I didn't mention that as I was assuming (possibly mistakenly) that you were saying that it had a replacement original 1917 .45 ACP cylinder, not a modified .455 cylinder. If it is in fact a converted .455 cylinder, it would be best to handload light .45 ACP or .45 AR lead bullet loads.

 

[Hondo44]

holiday,

If there's no serial # on the rear face of the cyl, it's the original 455 cyl that's been 'faced off' for the correct ACP/AR headspacing.

If it has a non-matching serial # to the gun's # on the rear face, it's most likely a 1917 replacement cyl but could be a post war ACP cyl, but less likely.

 

[jmace57]

I paid $610 for one that had been converted a couple of years ago and was not as nice looking as that one. Good price!

 

[Jack Flash]

If you like it, buy it. I personally might not be too anxious since it has been modified to fire .45 ACP (I would prefer the original chambering or modification to .45 Colt) and has the much later non-diamond magnas in place of the original stocks. But if you like it, $500 is certainly an attractive price.

I'm not sure that the lack of British or Canadian markings means that it went to NZ or Oz. Circa 1914 British and Canadian officers were responsible for purchasing their own "kit" which included their handgun / holster. These private purchase handguns naturally didn't have all the markings indicating government purchase / acceptance. The point to point Broad Arrows (or "Big Asterisk") does indicate it was sold out of service on the civilian market, so somehow or other the British military did acquire it at some point.

 

[DWalt]

As previously stated, the key would be whether the rear face of the cylinder has a visible SN stamped on it. If not, it is a shortened original .455 cylinder. If it does (and probably unmatched to the frame SN), it's a 1917 cylinder. Whichever, it remains a good buy at $500.

 

[deadin]

I think if you take the stocks off you will find British acceptance stamps on the left rear under where the magna grips are covering the side of the frame.
What is the serial number and is the side of the barrel marked .455?