Smith & Wesson 455

B

burnt45

CGN Regular
Rating - 100%
60   0   0
Location
Ottawa area
Finally, I waited over 2 years to get this revolver. Now I'd like to properly identify it.
So, a few questions for you Smith afficianadoes:

Is this a Brit or Canadian gun? I assume it's a milsurp because of the lanyard ring hole:confused:... but the only stamp other than factory markings is the one on the bottom of the butt... looks like a crown over "II".

What's the official model of it? The serial # is in the 43,000 range... so would it be a 2nd model Hand Ejector or maybe a model 1917?

Thanks for any help!

041.jpg
[/IMG]
049.jpg
[/IMG]
043.jpg
[/IMG]
 
Circa 1934ish as far as I can tell. More to follow.....
I beleive its the First Model Hand Ejector. The serial number puts it close to the Third Model, but the unshrouded ejector rod is more telling. There were 455 calibre Triple Lock Hand Ejectors, made for England at war, and a complete list of this serial number range, is to found at Neal & Jinks(??)
These older N-frame S&W revolvers are the most confusing to look up, serial # overlaps, and war expediant measures add more spice to the mix. There is about 6 pages of data in catalogue number two.
I am making a guess, that the crown over "II" (maybe a U) is a proof mark from the Birmingham Gun Barrel Proof House???

Oh, by the way, that is a very nice piece burnt45!
 
Last edited:
You have a Mk II Hand Ejector Second Model. You are correct, you are missing your lanyard ring. Snug up that screw in front of your trigger guard, it holds in your cylinder lock plunger and spring.

Check the back face of the cylinder, you revolver is not in .45 ACP therefore not a 1917, not enought space for the .45 acp and the 1/2 moon clips. If the back face of the cylinder has been trimmed check to see if your revolver will chamber .45 Colt. Looks like a .455 to me.

Scott
 
Spend 50 bucks and get all the info right from the horse's mouth:

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...4_750001_750051_757825_-1_757814_757812_image

I requested letters for both of my Canadian-issue S&W revolvers (a WWI 2nd Model Hand Ejector and a WWII M&P). Complete the form, go heavy on details and send pictures. You get a lovely letter back on S&W letterhead signed by Mr Jinks telling you everything you'd like to know about your gun. Money well spent.
 
British inspector's mark, as stated above. Britain bought a bunch of these during the Great War, but very darned few survived in this kind of condition!

It won't be a 1917 because the 1917 was built for the US military, had PROPERTY markings and were in .45ACP and used those silly clips.

Yours is a real .455, which the Americans don't think too much of but which actually scores HIGHER on the Hatcher Relative Incapacitation Scale than the .45ACP.

One of those grip marks looks awfully Broad-Arrowish to me.

A very nice piece indeed!
 
Your gun is .455 2nd Model Hand Ejector. There are technically 3 previous models: .44 Hand Ejector (A "Triple Lock"), .44 Hand Ejector (A "Triple Lock" converted to .455), and the .455 Hand Ejector ~ A "Triple Lock" manufactured as a .455....

The early British orders were inspected by Canadian Gov't (military) inspectors. For the purpose, the Canadian proof and inspectors markings were specially given legal equality with the equivelent British inspections.
 
This arm is one of 14500 bought by the Cdn gummint as indicated by the crown 11 stamp on the bottom of the frame. The crown is the same as appears on Ross rifle inspection stamps. The Brit pistols were stamped with a broad arrow over an E over a two digit numeral and II for MkII on the left of the frame to the rear of the hammer.
 
Very nice .455 Burnt45 (or are you now to be known as Burnt455?).

Although, as stated, S&W numbering is a bit of a jumble, I can perhaps help narrow down the production date a bit on your .455, as I just got the Jinks letter on the .455 HE Second Model I bought at the Easter show in Calgary (that will also give you a sense of how long your letter may take). I agree well worth getting the letter to really nail it down though. Lots of good info on www.smith-wessonforum.com too.

Shameless photo below, but my .455, S/N 304##, was shipped on December 16, 1915. Unlike yours, mine was a British-contract revolver, although it was eventually issued to an officer in the Canadian Engineers.

IMG_9462.jpg


I have found mine great fun to shoot. (once I was able to source/afford ammunition)
 
Excellent!.... great info lads. Even though there's no C-broadarrow, I'll keep it anyway;)

Rangerover: very nice 455! I was strategic when i took my pics... mine has alot of holster wear on one spot on the cylinder and on the right side of the rear sighting notch... the officer must have been practicing his quick-draw!
 
Summary of .455" S&W HE .455"

Triple Locks MkI
808 converted from .44 Cal guns in commercial serial number range 1104-10417 666 on Brit contract balance commercial sales
5000 new made # 1-5000 1914-15

MkII
5001-74755 1915-17

"S&W 1857-1945" Neal and Jinks
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom