Some days you just get lucky

[robertrwalsh]

I picked up my WW I Smith .455 Webley today from gun jail. I was expected at least a dark bore from the crud that was present at the gun show but when I cleaned it up with only a bronze brush and Hoppes the bore was gorgeous. The gun has significant blue wear on the backstrap and the muzzle and the leading edge of the cylinder. Serial # 69489 making it 1917 I think. Six 1/2 inch tube. I am guessing original grips. There was some beige colored crud on some spots under the grips but no rust. Crud came off with Hoppes and nylon brush.

Some interesting proof marks that I will have to research. Crown above number 30 on the butt. Broad arrow partially surrounded with a curving arrow on the left side between the trigger and the cylinder release. Crossed flags on the frame left side where the barrel screws in. On the far back edge of the frame left side is what might be a capital T with a number 115 below that and a capital E below that. Also, what looks like a dragonfly profile with a crown below that with a V3 below that with a E below that with a 11 below that. On the barrel flat below ejector rod there is a set of crossed flags with a crown in the top space, a D on the left, a C on the right and a P at bottom-center. If anybody can help with those I would appreciate it. I was told it went to England then back to Canada before it came home. No re-importer mark that I can find. No "Not English Made" marking that I can find.

I am planning take it to the range tomorrow and wringing it out a bit. I will report back.

 

[Jim Watson]

Still .455 and not munged up for a Colonial calibre?

 

[robertrwalsh]

Correct. Still .455.

 

[22hipower]

Sounds nice, with a mix of British and Canadian stamps, we need pictures to help sort it out. And don't forget to add it to the research thread.

https://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-h...esearch-thread.html?highlight=research+thread

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[robertrwalsh]

Sorry. I forgot to post the pictures. I will try it now.

How about that. It worked.

 

[Muley Gil]

Sorry. I forgot to post the pictures. I will try it now.

How about that. It worked.

The headspace looks a little wide. Have you checked to see if a .45 AutoRim cartridge or .45 ACPs in clips fit?

 

[Shark Bait]

I have one headed my way now, but it was converted to 45 Colt. Apparently it was a Canadian gun. Congratulations on yours.

 

[robertrwalsh]

I SPOKE TOO SOON. 45AR drops in and cylinder closes. When I look closely at the rear of the cylinder it has marks on it that are consistent with having been machined and the ejector is suspiciously thin. I admit to being disappointed. I strongly suspect that it won't even function with .455 Webley. I will find out tomorrow. Cavaet Emptor. The people I bought it from are going out of business and I knew that when I bought it, so........Fortunately I have LOADS of mild .45AR around. I will have to try it with .45 ACP and clips and see what happens. In any event I will report back tomorrow after range.

 

[glowe]

The headspace looks a little wide. Have you checked to see if a .45 AutoRim cartridge or .45 ACPs in clips fit?

I agree. Is there a serial number stamped on the rear of the cylinder? Also, look closely to see how deeply the cylinder shoulder is? Some were converted to 45 Colt by lengthening the chamber.

 

[Muley Gil]

I SPOKE TOO SOON. 45AR drops in and cylinder closes. When I look closely at the rear of the cylinder it has marks on it that are consistent with having been machined and the ejector is suspiciously thin. I admit to being disappointed. I strongly suspect that it won't even function with .455 Webley. I will find out tomorrow. Cavaet Emptor. The people I bought it from are going out of business and I knew that when I bought it, so........Fortunately I have LOADS of mild .45AR around. I will have to try it with .45 ACP and clips and see what happens. In any event I will report back tomorrow after range.

Be aware that .45 ACP pressures are approximately 25% higher than .455. In essence, a proof load. .45 AutoRim loads have less pressure, so they are fine.

 

[robertrwalsh]

Both AR in moon clips and ACP seem to fit OK. 45 revolver will not drop in. About 1/3 sticks out the back of the cylinder. I have plenty of light target loads of both so I will try a few and see. I will even try a few .455 Webley but it looks like the hammer nose will not reach. Maybe I can modify a few moon clips to take the Webley rounds. If not I still have a Webley VI I can shoot them up in. It is still a cool gun, just not as cool as I had hoped.

 

[Dave_n]

There used to be a chap on this part of the forum who made a circular cut-out that fitted in the rear of cut 0.455s, which allowed you to use 0.455 cases and loads. I use them in one Webley that was "butchered and an Enfield" (remember there were 6-or so years of "Webley's made by Enfield" (1920-26), but my 1917 Webley and one of the last commercial 0.455s (approx 1935) are uncut. Dave_n

 

[Hondo44]

Robert,

I'll add it the .455 Study thread. Thank you.

Although some in this serial # range and later were shipped in 1917, most of those were sold commercially here in the states. Yours which actually went to war was more likely shipped in 1916.

 

[robertrwalsh]

Thanks Hondo. I really appreciate the info.