Brinks .45 revolver ***updated with MORE pics***

canuck75

canuck75

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Hi all,

need some help, an aquiantance has asked for help appraising what he says is a .45 revolver that was issued to Brinks guards here in canada and has been in the family for forever. He was not able to find a model number. He says the distance between forward edge of cylinder and end of barrel is 4 1/8", so I'm thinking a 4" barrel, therefore 12-6. I'm trying to get more info, but with what given, I'm trying to establish a value. Any and all help would be greatly appreciated.
http://s249.photobucket.com/albums/gg239/canuck2875/?action=view&current=DSCF0217.jpg
http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg239/canuck2875/DSCF0216.jpg
Allright, took a look at it, and the barrel has definetly been chopped, but in a (to me) very weird way. They left 3 or so inches of the origianl barrel and then took the last inch or so of the front with the sight and put them together. There is a defineite seam there, but no visible weld so I'm not sure how it's ecured. The cylinder holes are definetly a .45 hole. As the barrel is chopped there is no model number or caliber markings on it. It's in good condition with a lot of wear, but no visible rust. I think it's identical to the bottom one in Ganderite's pics, but obvously chopped. There is no serial number on it. Value? thanks again for any and all help.
 
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There MUST be markings of some sort on it somewhere. Any chance of getting some clear pics- overall, both sides of the barrel, bottom of the grip, etc.? It will save a lot of guessing.

:) Stuart
 
Strangeday said:
probably a .455 Webley Revolver ...
Click to expand...

OK, let's start the questionnaire for the OP until we get some pics.

canuck75, does it look anything like this?

Webley%20Mk.VI_3742sm.JPG


This is a 1917 military-issue .455 Webley. Distincive feature is that it is a top-break. If your friend's is similar, it likely has a shorter barrel and no lanyard ring.

Another possibility is that it could be a Colt New Service chambered for either .45 Colt or .455 Webley but I don't have one to post (alas!)

:) Stuart
 
canuck75 said:
added pics
Click to expand...

Couldn't find 'em at first! (There is a way to get them to show up in your message- use the "insert image" icon above the text box and paste in the whole URL of the web address where the pic is. Keep them to about 800 x 600) But no matter..

The grip medallions have a S&W logo (had to enlarge the pic and fiddle with it a bit to be sure) but surely there are markings on the side of the barrel and/or on the bottom of the butt? Love the "skyscraper" front sight!

:) Stuart
 
only markings are "smith and wesson" on the left side of the barrel, and a "8723" on the bottom of the grip metal. Like I said, the barrels been cut, I suspect most of the info was on the cut portion. Interestingly though, I can't figure out how they attached the two barrel portions together, there is a definite seam on the outside, but no weld, and the rifling on the inside appears to be continous (no visible seam).
 
Looks like a cut down 1917 hand ejector. Is it 45 or 455? Should have been chambered in 455. It's 12/6 as it is but I may have a restricted length barrel kicking around if you want to swap it out and make it restricted.
 
I'm just trying to help establish a value for the family at this point in time. It's not mine, nor in my possession. Again, thanks for all the feedback, keep it coming.
 
Barrel has definitely been cut and it does look like a short version of the Colt New Service (?) in Ganderite's pic. Very interesting indeed. It MIGHT be 12(6) or very, very close to it. 4 1/8" would be 107.9mm, so just safe. (I think my Ruger SR9 is 4.15", ie 105.74!)

Brinks Canada might be able to help (although if it was a company revolver, ie their property, maybe not! Dare I ask if it's registered?) Also, you can get an official letter from Roy Jinks at S&W, although I think it now costs $30.00 (There will be info on the Smith & Wesson Forum or by contacting S&W directly.)

I'm sure more knowledgeable CGN'ers will be able to help more than I. Maybe someone's dad or grandad worked for Brinks and will know more about these.

:) Stuart
 
The barrel might have been bored out, a section from the middle removed, and a rifled sleeve installed inside the two barrel stubs.
 
If you post an overall pic and pictures of all markings and anything at all interesting it'll give people a way better idea of what it is and value.

Right now you're doing the equivalent of posting a picture of a corner of one bumper of a car and asking what it is and what it's worth.
 
Looking forward to more pictures.
As I've said in previous posts and as is obvious from my screen name, I love the 1917's that Harrison Ford used in Raiders of the Lost Ark. Even the collar around the barrel is reminiscent of one of the two guns used in that movie.
Either way, looks like an interesting firearm to me.
 
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