Need help on an pistol, please!

[gunner]

I have a question for an friend who has this revolver and wants to know more details of it like general information and information about the markings. It would be great if anybody can add some information to it.

Thank you in advance!

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[Amatikulu]

First World War private purchase (officer) to C.R. Baker of the Canadian Machine Gun Corps

http://www.cefresearch.com/matrix/Ar...orps/index.htm

caliber is .455 same as the Webley revolvers

[gunner]

Thanks Amatikulu, is the 30 and the sign left of the lanyard swivel a proofmark?

[Harlan (Deceased)]

First World War private purchase (officer) to C.R. Baker of the Canadian Machine Gun Corps

http://www.cefresearch.com/matrix/Ar...orps/index.htm

caliber is .455 same as the Webley revolvers

That's a very interesting web site Niel. Thanks!
(I especially liked reading the diary entries. It seems to make history more 'real' to me when reading things in first person)

~ Harlan

[Amatikulu]

The crown over 30 is an inspectors acceptance mark identifying it as being one of the Pistol, Smith & Wesson .455 inch, 6 1/2" barrel, Mark II revolvers purchased directly by Canada around 1916

[gunner]

Thanks for your help Niel!

[bearhunter]

The revolver is a 2nd model Smith and Wesson New Century. Many of these were converted to 45LC when they were surplussed in North America.

It's nice to see one in original condition.

The second model is different from the first in that it isn't of the triple lock design. It was changed to bring down costs and make it easier to produce. I think it dropped manufacturing costs by 10%. If memory serves, the revolvers sold for around $20US to both Canada and the UK. British and Canadian officers had to purchase their own firearms during WWI. That allowed them some leeway as to what they carried. Not really sure what the guidelines were if any. Winston Churchill, carried his own personal pistol during the Boer War, it was a C96, 7.63 mauser.