What's it worth? Canadian Military Smith & Wesson .455 Revolver

[gunzik]

Hello esteemed nutz!

There have been a few threads over the years touching on the history and value of this revolver, but nothing recent that I could find. You have before you pictures of the Smith & Wesson 454 Mark II Hand Ejector, Second Model, in .455 caliber. It has the broad arrow of World War I vintage military surplus, and the crossed pennants showing it to be Canadian Military issue. There are proofs, a broad arrow over a crown over T9 over 5 (could be a sylized "S") over roman numeral II. The same serial number is on the butt, cylinder and bottom of the barrel flat (27###) and the finish is original, with some holster wear. Grips are nice, and the revolver is in excellent mechanical condition, with great bore and cylinders.

How rare or common is this old girl? At just over 100 years of age, she still looks quite good despite a bit of holster wear and the tiny bit of pitting you can see on the cylinder latch side. Slick and smooth double action, light, crisp single action, both dry-fired (I haven't shot her). Enough talk, some pictures:

And an attempt at a "close up" of the proof marks:

Crossed pennants are just like any others. The broad arrow (other than the one in the proofs) is just in front of the hammer, on the cylinder latch side.

What do you think this old girl is worth? Sadly, there is no history or holster. At one point in her past she went through an auction and was thus stripped of her identity. I didn't get the chance to speak with or learn about whoever carried her and brought her home.

Thank you for your thoughts!

 

[gewehr76]

I see them listed for 600 and up, however due to caliber they are not moving at that price.

 

[Cocked&Locked]

i'd go 450-500 if you wanted it to move. Thats what i'd pay you for it anyways

 

[tekarra]

I don't know about the value, but it sure is a fine looking revolver.

 

[hatman1793]

I'm on the same page value-wise with response # 2 & 3. Reloading would be the way to go if you want to shoot it, however cases & bullets might be a challenge to find but not impossible...
There appears to be no real competition that you might employ this fine revolver for.
If I wanted it, to me it would be a C$500.00 gun....

 

[terez]

Nice old pistol.
Sadly they don't command big value, typical of CDN pedigree firearms...this country simply doesn't appreciate it's military firearms...in fact shows them disdain.

I agree with the group in suggesting it is a ~$500cdn pistol.

I am interested in buying it if you would like to do so.

Thanks

PS If you haven't considered it, the cylinder can be machined to accept 45acp which turns it into a fun shooter. Typically ~$100 gunsmithing job. That's what I will do with it if it's mine and end up with a fun shooter with some CDN pedigree.

 

[Shooting Centre]

Hate to disagree with the experts here, but I think the revolver is worth more. It appears to be pretty clean and we have sold some similar ones for $800-$900. Furthermore the US prices are about $900US so at $500Cdn you should seriously look at exporting it to the US if you can't sell it here.
Also, coverting it to 45 is a loosing proposition. Fiocchi 455 ammo is still around as are reloading components, why destroy the value (monetary and historical) of the revolver to make shooting it a little easier?

 

[Interbak]

Like others have said, I paid $450 for one a little over a year ago. Great shooter, 455 Web isn't cheap or readily available at your LGS, so they they don't command big bucks. Nice looking piece.

B

 

[rockymountainmogger]

Very nice piece of history there.

 

[tiriaq]

The other downside of conversion to .45ACP is that the bore dimensions are wrong.

 

[buckbrush]

Most retailers ask $700.00 plus depending on condition, accessories and providence. Hornady made or imported a bunch of .455 brass, I got a bunch.These are incredibly well made revolvers, every Canadian Gun-nut should have one.

 

[357_fan]

Please don't ruin your beautiful revolver by doing a caliber conversion.

To me, it lowers the dollar value of a fine old S&W and the overall desirability of the gun when such butchery occurs.

 

[357_fan]

I don't think that the .455 N-frames get enough love here in Canada compared to the USA
http://www.collectorsfirearms.com/smith-wesson-mkii-hand-eject-455-mk-i-pr24200/

 

[terez]

Please don't ruin your beautiful revolver by doing a caliber conversion.

To me, it lowers the dollar value of a fine old S&W and the overall desirability of the gun when such butchery occurs.

If the pistol won't fetch more than ~$500 yer not devaluing it ....it doesn't have significant in the first place.
"Value" is what you can actually get someone to pay you for it....not what some or most think it is.

Converting it make sense if the shooter likes the gun, would like to shoot it a fair bit using easily sourced inexpensive ammo...which is the case for 45acp...especially if one is already handloading for it.

IF the pistol can fetch $800 to over a grand in cash then by all means leave it alone....IF one is trying to generate $$ out of it.
IF one is planning to keep it and enjoy a fine old revolver AND shoot it a bunch then a 45acp conversion does make sense.
45acp shoots great out of these and old Webleys....slow cast lead reloads tailored to the pistol.

The shameful part would be to export it....this fine old CDN revolver should stay here And get shot and proudly shown off by a CDN in Canada.
And if $$ is no concern....keep it 455 and buy up whatever 455 you can at retail and or reloading components..... and shoot it...a lot.......Especially if the OP has any family and or military connection to it.

 

[buckbrush]

My MK II has a .455 dia. bore, My 1917 is .451 dia.

 

[KeltecFan]

That really is a beauty. I'm not in the market right now or I'd be sending a PM. (I mean, I'd be pointing out my WTB ad in the EE)

 

[Lee Enfield]

Canada and Great Britain & retailers bought 79,000+ S&W Second Model Hand Ejector revolvers during WWI.

Do not Re chambered it to a different cartridge.

There are plenty of modified ones around already.

Average price in Canada is between $600-800

Your revolver only shows British ownership and inspection markings as near as I can tell.

Having said that, ALL of the DCP Canadian inspected revolvers actually were British guns inspected by Canadian Military inspectors who were seconded specifically to inspect British Purchase arms.

These DCP markings are also commonly found on Remington model 14 44-40 pump rifles and Winchester 92 & 94 rifles and carbines purchased for British 3rd line service during ww1.

 

[gunzik]

Thanks for your insights, Gentlemen!

We'll pick the middle of the range and prop the old girl up on the EE. I have bought another collectable and its time to let a few of mine see daylight. I have no family history with this old revolver, it was a nice looking, solid piece of WWI that looked like it could acquit itself well on the range occasionally too. She needs a new home.