Quote Originally Posted by DaveN View Post
I can assure you it is not 45 acp as the cylinder is too long and an acp round when inserted into cylinder goes through and falls to the floor. it is 45 colt. I do however think the barrel was replaced or at least monkeyed about with (like you saidpossibly for the American market) or at least shortened as the S and part of the M in smith is missing indicating that something is a miss. It also could be that the brits crudely marked the barrel 45 AR so they would not put the .455 in the wrong gun over their and the barrel work was done cause they just needed a shorter gun or it was shortened some time after but at a time when collectors weren't in mind such as to meet their needs you know what with the WAR and what not.
The first Colt Model 1917 revolvers did not have a shoulder in the cylinder, and the .45ACP they were made for would fall down into the cylinder. They were intended to be used with the half moon clips. After WWI the .45 Auto Rim cartridge was developed so that the pistol could be fired without the clips.
You can bet your paycheck that the Britishicon didn't alter the pistol. Some of the Colt SAA's they bought were 7 1/2 in barrel, and they were not altered. All they wanted was pistols, and customizing them was the last thing on their mind. The cutting, drilling, and stamping was done after it was sold by the British government.
What are the markings under the crown which is under the broad-arrow property mark?