Smith & Wesson Mk II Hand-Ejector 2nd Model Revolver..(Historic Section 7i)

.455 Mark II Hand Ejector 2nd Model Military

This fine revolver was produced during World War One by Smith & Wesson to satisfy the British demand for officers sidearms, hence the .455 caliber.  Six shot, it packs a powerfull punch at close quarters and in typical fashion of the era, is almost over engineered for the job in hand,  It is very much on a par with the over attention to deatil that the Springfield Krag was a victim of.  It gives you the idea that the folks back at S & W had no real concept of the extreme conditions in Flanders.  This beautifully finished, high quality revolver was too good for the trenches, but how were the Americans to know? They had not been in that situation yet.  It makes me think of turning up to a dog fight with a poodle, it sure is pretty!  Perhaps the makers only imagined it would be worn in planning rooms far from the front; it just seems too well finished and constructed fro the process of killin’.

The revolver has a 6.1/2″ round blued barrel (matching) with a large half moon sight as the fore sight.  Fluted cylinder (matching serial no’) with external stop notches, silvered drag line from the lower locking block but not a surface grove, just a mark.  Blast shield to rear of cylinder.  The shield appears dented but the is an intentional design element that allows the sprung pin in the centre of the spindle to slide back into position when loading without snagging.  The chambers are all in excellent condition, not a single pit or disruption and still all blued. Obviously full frame revolver that being in fine condition.  Walnut checkered grips either side with S & W brass disk logo let in at the top. Both grips in tip top condition; little wear and no chipping. Swivel lanyard at base of grip adjacent to serial number “11137” (pre 1919)  Case coloured hammer and trigger.

Cylinder swing out release on LHS of frame – not worn – still checkered and blued.  LHS of barrel shows;- “SMITH & WESSON”  Logo for the same on RHS of frame behind cylinder.  Aprox 7/8″ tall with “TRADE MARK2  arranged top and bottom – very clear but refined.  The whole of the revolver is richly blued only starting to thin almost to hint that it was issued.  In the bright sunlight of these photographs you can see the structure of the steel grain umber the blue where it is starting to thin. The bore is excellent with strong clean rifling. There are the mildest hints of some corrosion just starting to show but if judged fairly it rates very highly.  Full makers’ name and address along top of barrel along with patent dates.  The external top rail of the frame is fluted and comes together towards the rear to form a fine “u-notch” rea sight.  Sighting is “fine” almost feels too refined.

In true collecting circles the old addage still stands strong; “Condition is Everything” and thats the first thing that comes to mind when assessing this survivor from over 100 years ago.  How? How has it remained like this for so long.  Where has it been? Yet it shows signs of use so I would venture to offer this revolver was kept by someone who was there.  Someone who put a value on it and therefore looked after it, giving it the respect he placed on it.  Is it feasable that it encapsulated memories of friends or acquaintances he had lost in the dreaded conflict he had endurred.  In short, it has been looked after and now it is someone elses chance to tend it with the respect.

Letter of Provenance from Smith & Wesson included

Historic Handgun Section 7(i) – License required.

£ 1950.

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