1917 Colt 455 Eley?

taperloc

I have a 1917 Colt revolve with 455 Eley stamped on the barrel and British proofs and "NOTENGLISHMADE" also stamped on it. The serial # places its manufacture about 1915.
The book, Cartridges of the World, makes no mention of this cartridge. However, it does show a 455-revolver/455 Webley Revolver Mark 11. It also refers to 455 Revolver Mark 1 /455 Colt/455 Enfield.
I'm confused. Since the Mark 11 round was WW1 British Service, issue, I would think it is the same as thew 455 Eley.
What's the story?

taperloc

I have a very clean 1917 Colt revolver, I'd guess the commercial type blue is 80 - 85%. The serial # dates it as 1915. It was chambered in the "ever popular" 455 Eley. It has British proof marks all over it, each cylinder, frame and barrel. It is also stamped "Not English Made" on the frame and barrel. The British broad arrow is also stamped on the frame and barrel.
My questions are, The cylinders have been bored out to accept the 45 Colt. How much does this effect the value and will it still shoot the 455 cartridge.

md1634

I'm not that knowledgable about British cartridges but I do know that .455 was or is a common chambering in England and I believe, Canada especially in Colt New Services and Webleys. Eley is a brand of english ammunition, I used their 10X .22 ammo in small bore competition about 20 years ago with good results. I think .455 Eley may be similar as to when some folks refer to 45 Colt as 45 Long Colt.

Hawk Carse

According to Ken Waters Pet Loads article, the .455 Mk I was the original black powder load in a .88" case. When smokeless came in, the British army shortened the brass to .76" as the Mk II.
Colt and US and Canadian ammunition companies stayed with the Mk I case but loaded it with smokeless. Colt revolvers were marked .455 Eley as you see; Waters shows a box of Dominion ammunition labled .455 Colt.
The only difference is in case length, so a Canadian with a Colt chambered .455 Eley could shoot .455 Mk II, aka .455 Webley.