WooHoo, I finally got it!!!

J_Weaver · Post by **J_Weaver** » Tue Apr 19, 2005 6:32 pm

Here she is. Its a S&W HE 2nd Model, .455 Eley. 6.5in barrel. Since its been reblued I'm going to have the barrel cut to 4in. I try to post a pic of it when I get it done.

http://photobucket.com/albums/v320/J_We ... 50568d.jpg

Indiana Wayne · Post by **Indiana Wayne** » Tue Apr 19, 2005 6:47 pm

Nice gun J_Weaver! When you have the barrel cut down which sight are you going to have put on it, the semi circular, or ramped?

J_Weaver · Post by **J_Weaver** » Tue Apr 19, 2005 6:53 pm

I'll probably just have the circular sight put back on. I really don't care though. I'll have to see which is easier for the gunsmith.

Hemingway Jones · Post by **Hemingway Jones** » Tue Apr 19, 2005 8:00 pm

It's a beauty, Weaver,
Be sure to show us it when your modifications are done.

binkmeisterRick · Post by **binkmeisterRick** » Tue Apr 19, 2005 9:38 pm

SWEET!!!! I'll PM you my address and you can send it to me....

Also, if you wanted to keep that barrel, you could always find a second S&W barrel to cut dow. Just a thought...

bink

Pyroxene · Post by **Pyroxene** » Tue Apr 19, 2005 11:29 pm

Very nice find. I really like the finish on that gun.

J_Weaver · Post by **J_Weaver** » Wed Apr 20, 2005 11:26 am

Pyroxene, the finish is even better in person. What looks like wear in the pic is really oil. Its been reblued and the finish is really about 100%. The cylinder has kind of a purple tint to it. According to a gunsmith I talked to its because of a high nickel content, which means good steel. To tell you the truth, the more I look at it the more I'm tempted to not cut it. Especially when I consider that its going to cost me the price of the gun to get it cut. Besides, I've already got a ToD Wested, what's a ToD holster going to hurt?

Post by **Michaelson** » Wed Apr 20, 2005 11:30 am

OOOOooooo, that's a nice revolver. Speaking STRICTLY for myself, I'd be hard pressed to have THAT one cut! Just to nice in my opinion, but that's just me!

Congratulations!!

High regards! Michaelson

binkmeisterRick · Post by **binkmeisterRick** » Wed Apr 20, 2005 12:58 pm

Exactly, JW. The long barrel looks good, in my opinion. Just get a ToD holster! That, or if you still want a shorter barrel, find a separate barrel to cut down, but keep the original uncut barrel with the gun for posterity. Or, just send the revolver to me and I'll take care of it.

bink

J_Weaver · Post by **J_Weaver** » Wed Apr 20, 2005 1:15 pm

Ah...Bink, I think I'll be holding on to this one. Now I've got to keep an eye on my wallet and holster when binks around.

Maybe I'll buy a lanyard?

Yea, I'm just gonna leave good enough alone. According to a document that came with it, it left the S&W factory on March 29, 1916. Looks like I'm gonna be a hybrid Indy for now on.

IndyFrench · Post by **IndyFrench** » Wed Apr 20, 2005 2:42 pm

I laud you on your decision! I believe that these firearms should be preserved as is when found if they are in good shape. Sure, if one is found narced and in need of repair I guess liberties can be taken on occasion, but with their rarity and historical value, these items should be preserved as they were made.

I tip my hat to your decision.

A lover of antiques,
Mike

Post by **Michaelson** » Wed Apr 20, 2005 2:43 pm

AMEN Mike, and amen!!!

Highest regards, and a tip of the fedora to J_Weaver for his choice!!

Michaelson

ij1936 · Post by **ij1936** » Wed Apr 20, 2005 2:52 pm

binkmeisterRick wrote:SWEET!!!! I'll PM you my address and you can send it to me....

Also, if you wanted to keep that barrel, you could always find a second S&W barrel to cut dow. Just a thought...

bink

Good for you!

I would seriously consider finding a barrel to cut and then swap it. I have the same one and I will not cut the barrel. I just ordered a Raiders holster from Lee Keppler and told him that I need it for the 5 1/2" barrel. It took a while, but I did get the holster and it is an excellent piece.
BTW: your barrel should be 5 1/2" not 6 1/2".

J_Weaver · Post by **J_Weaver** » Wed Apr 20, 2005 8:46 pm

Nope the barrel is 6.5 not 5.5. The 5.5 were the US issue (including the Brazilian contract ones) Mine was made for the British Government in WWI. This model was made with a 6.5" barrel and chambered for the .455 Mk II (a.k.a. .455 Eley)

Thanks guys. And a tip of my fedora back to you.

Pyroxene · Post by **Pyroxene** » Wed Apr 20, 2005 8:48 pm

JW,

Do you plan on shooting it?

I got into personal protection and concealed carry thanks to Indygear. One revolver and one semi-auto (Hi-Power) and I was hooked.

Remember to shoot safe and keep it in the 10 ring.

Pyro

J_Weaver · Post by **J_Weaver** » Wed Apr 20, 2005 9:16 pm

Well of course!

Technically, the gun is my dads. I'm 11 months short of 21.

But when it comes to guns in my family whats his is mine. Dad already has a concealed weapons permit. I plan on geting one as soon as I turn 21. Then that baby is going on all my adventures with me.

A few days ago I was talking to a friend of mine who is a Lt. in my local police department. He asked me what I was gonna carry when I got my permit. When I told him a S&W HE 2nd model he laughed and said "thats a little big isn't it!"

Pyroxene · Post by **Pyroxene** » Wed Apr 20, 2005 9:50 pm

It's a heavy gun and the can be a little difficult to extract. They tend to expand a little when fired.

J_Weaver · Post by **J_Weaver** » Wed Apr 20, 2005 10:05 pm

Yea, its not very well suited for concealed carry. But my main reason for a permit is so that I can carry it while hiking without having to buy a handgun hunting license. Basically it just covers all the bases for carrying concealed or not, if you know what I mean.

And beleive me, I know all about heavy handguns. I've been shooting .44 mags for years.

About them expanding; thats kind of strange. It sounds like a sizing problem with the brass.

Well, I guess I'll see what happens when I get some ammo. I plan on reloading them so maybe I can work some of that out.

Pyroxene · Post by **Pyroxene** » Wed Apr 20, 2005 10:26 pm

Pyroxene wrote:It's a heavy gun and the can be a little difficult to extract. They tend to expand a little when fired.

You know I shouldn't post when it's so late.......I meant the brass can be difficult to extract after they have been fired............

J_Weaver · Post by **J_Weaver** » Wed Apr 20, 2005 10:37 pm

Lol! Yea, I figured that out after I read your post several times.

Is this happening to you after firing new .455 ammo? Thats really strange though. It shouldn't do that.

I've been reloading for several years and have rarely seen that. And not ever with my reloads.

Pyroxene · Post by **Pyroxene** » Wed Apr 20, 2005 11:51 pm

J_Weaver wrote:Is this happening to you after firing new .455 ammo?

Nope. Sorry if I confused you. I have a S&W 1937 in .45 ACP. It's the .45 ACP shells that sometimes get stuck in the cylinder.

Post by **Michaelson** » Thu Apr 21, 2005 10:54 am

(Note to self.....Pyro says guns get bigger when fired. Try to find source of information....

) You better be careful, Pyro. You're starting to post like ME now!

High regards, old friend! Michaelson

Swindiana · Post by **Swindiana** » Thu Apr 21, 2005 11:11 am

Well, he had ME convinced.

I guess that says something about Swedish gun laws, doesn't it?

-Excuse me, sir. Why do you wear two different size holsters?

Regards,
Swindiana

Post by **Michaelson** » Thu Apr 21, 2005 11:41 am

Yeah, I had a bad joke pass through my mind when I read that, but since this is a family site, I let it past.....

Regards. Michaelson

J_Weaver · Post by **J_Weaver** » Thu Apr 21, 2005 11:44 am

Michaelson wrote:(Note to self.....Pyro says guns get bigger when fired. Try to find source of information.... ) You better be careful, Pyro. You're starting to post like ME now! High regards, old friend! Michaelson

Lol! Guns that expand when fired tend to blow up!

Don't worry Pyro, I tend to stay confunsed anyway

jack · Post by **jack** » Sun Apr 24, 2005 10:45 am

Michaelson wrote:OOOOooooo, that's a nice revolver. Speaking STRICTLY for myself, I'd be hard pressed to have THAT one cut! Just to nice in my opinion, but that's just me!

Congratulations!!

High regards! Michaelson

Couldn't agree more, don't cut it, leave it!! nice revolver mate

Swindiana · Post by **Swindiana** » Sun Apr 24, 2005 12:08 pm

Michaelson;

Thanks for sharing buddy.

Regards,
Swindiana

Post by **Michaelson** » Mon Apr 25, 2005 9:08 am

Regards!

Michaelson

ij1936 · Post by **ij1936** » Mon Apr 25, 2005 10:43 am

J_Weaver wrote:Nope the barrel is 6.5 not 5.5. The 5.5 were the US issue (including the Brazilian contract ones) Mine was made for the British Government in WWI. This model was made with a 6.5" barrel and chambered for the .455 Mk II (a.k.a. .455 Eley)

Thanks guys. And a tip of my fedora back to you.

I stand corrected!

I did not know that there was a British version made. I wonder why the lengthened the barrel by an inch?

Great Find!

J_Weaver · Post by **J_Weaver** » Mon Apr 25, 2005 11:10 am

I really don't know why they lengthened the barrel. But I would assume that they did it because that was the same length as the Webley. The Bapty revolver was like mine. It was a .455 with a 6.5" barrel that had been cut to 4".

Henry Jones Sr. · Post by **Henry Jones Sr.** » Fri Apr 29, 2005 11:47 pm

I've been out of the active gear loop for a while now, but as an occasional visitor, let me say how wonderful it is to see that marvelous revolver of yours! I've owned my own British naval-issue Mk II HE .455 for a couple of years now, and let me add my sentiments that it should stay exactly as it is. I know, once I bought mine, I wanted to immediately get the barrel lopped down, and the ramped sight added to what was left, but having taken it out on a couple of occasions, and fired real .455 ammo, it is a marvelous bit of firearms history in your possession, and one to be left in its original form...until you buy your second one for modification...

. Enjoy!

Sincere regards,

Henry Jones, Sr.

P.S.: Check the archives re. .455 ammo sources, if they haven't been lost.... It is scarce, but still available from some sources here in Arizona. Handloading is always a good alternative, if you've got the supplies. Check the Old West Scrounger for their own .455 offering, as well as supplies to make your own. And again, I say ENJOY!

HJ Sr.

J_Weaver · Post by **J_Weaver** » Sun May 01, 2005 10:04 pm

Thanks Henry!

I found a source for ammo in Ohio. I've got 200 rounds on the way!

J_Weaver · Post by **J_Weaver** » Thu May 05, 2005 9:32 pm

I finally got to fire my S&W today!

The .455 is a great cartridge for target shooting. It feels a lot like the .44 S&W Special. To me it doesn't feel as 'hot' as the .45 ACP. I found it to be quite accurate. My first shot cut the 10 ring from 15 yards. For a revolver thats 89 years old its great!

Peacock's Eye · Post by **Peacock's Eye** » Fri May 06, 2005 10:50 am

Good, I'm glad your revolver is a shooter as well as good looking.

Henry Jones Sr. · Post by **Henry Jones Sr.** » Wed May 11, 2005 8:03 pm

<Doing his best Monty Burns imitation>: Excellent....

Congrats again!

Henry Jones, Sr.