1915 British Contract .455 Smith Wesson H-E Pistol

[Von der Goltz]

Here for your persusal is my 1915 British Contract .455 Smith & Wesson H-E pistol serial number 17464. According to the Smith & Wesson letter this revolver was shipped from their factory on September 23, 1915 and delivered to Remington Arms - Union Metallic Cartridge Company, New York City, agents for the British Government. According to the various acceptance and proof markings it also saw service in the Canadian Army and Navy. The cylinder rear shows that each chamber has individual Canadian proofs and the frame shows the C/broad arrow Canadian property mark. The backstrap also shows apparent unit marking 1 H R 2.

 

[Master Blaster]

Wow each chamber was proof tested and stamped.

 

[Waveski]

I know nothing about that type of revolver , but I will say that it is oozing character. A true war horse.

Also - I wish that all sellers on Gunbroker provided such quality pictures.

 

[ric jackson]

I have one in little rougher finish that I inherited from my father. He mail ordered it in 1960 from Herters for $10.00 and paid another $2.50 to have the cylinder shaved to fit 45 colt. Same type story , it shipped to Great Britain in 1915 then after the war returned to Canada where it was issued to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police until it was declared surplus in the late 1950s. The RCMP stamps have been over stamped to mark them out and very little of the cylinder stamps remain because the shaving but the British and Canadian stamps remain. Need new grips because the ones on it are paper thin now,but its a neat piece of history and still shoots great. Still have some ammo he hand loaded for it in the 70s ,255 g hard cast that runs about 1000fps ,that will never get fired.