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1917 Colt 455 Eley?

taperloctaperloc Member Posts: 420 ✭✭✭
edited February 2008 in Ask the Experts
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?
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Comments

  • taperloctaperloc Member Posts: 420 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    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.
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  • DaveFDaveF Member Posts: 75 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I have a S & W .455 which has also been bored out to use 45 Colt. It will also still shoot .455 ammunition as the firing pin is long enough to contact the primer with enough force to ignite it.
    The rim thickness of .455 is .045", and the .45 is .06", so if your Colt's firing pin is long enough to compensate for the .015" difference, it will work.
    I don't know if it effects your value, but it does make for a more practical revolver.
    Regards, DaveF.
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  • v35v35 Member Posts: 12,710 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    It's an odd question except to a collector; seeing as 455 ammo is scarce.
    See how the thing shoots with 45LC.
    I had a 455 model 1917 Colt in the Army that wouldn't shoot 45ACP worth a darn because of the larger bore.I believe I was able to get half moon clips. The lead 45 Colt bullet may do better.
    If it doesn't shoot well, advertise for a 45 barrel or a 455 cylinder.
    A revolver having too much headspace may fail to fire even if the firing pin has enough protrusion.
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  • dfletcherdfletcher Member Posts: 8,179 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by v35
    It's an odd question except to a collector; seeing as 455 ammo is scarce.
    See how the thing shoots with 45LC.
    I had a 455 model 1917 Colt in the Army that wouldn't shoot 45ACP worth a darn because of the larger bore.I believe I was able to get half moon clips. The lead 45 Colt bullet may do better.
    If it doesn't shoot well, advertise for a 45 barrel or a 455 cylinder.
    A revolver having too much headspace may fail to fire even if the firing pin has enough protrusion.



    Penn Bullets makes excellent handgun bullets and can size them in the .454 or .455 area for shooting in the larger bore. I have a Smith # 2 HE in .455 and it shot poorly with .451 & .452, shoots fine with .455 diameter.
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