I hope that everyone has a blessed and peaceful 2015.

As for the gun question, I have a Colt New Service which was originally a .455 Eley and somewhere in its' life was trimmed to accept .45ACP/AR. It shoots them well enough, I suppose but I already have a few ACP revolvers and had the thought that maybe I could convert it back. The .455 brass, dies, bullets are all available so that bit isn't an issue. This past week, I took a chance on an auction of unidentified cylinders and scored what appears to be an original .455 NS cylinder.

Now, who would be a good candidate to put this together? I know Doug Turnbull is capable of a full restoration but that's not exactly what I had in mind. It's a bit of a dog and I can't see trying to make a 'silk purse' out of it but I do want someone who knows their way around these old pistols.

Thanks!

Edited to add: Oh yeah, New Service revolvers make me think of JLF and his buddy Powell. Where the heck has Jack been lately?

I could email it to you if you want.

As for Jack, I just checked his seller name on GB and there is nothing there for sale right now.

He's bought a house in Harker Heights, TX. Harker Heights is the town between Killeen and Fort Hood. He's still lurkin' around. His Gunbroker listings will be back up when ATF gets him a license with his new address on it. Not to worry. He ain't dead, and he ain't changed much either.

'way back when. Forty some-odd years ago, in fact.

Wife and I went back out there last year. Killeen ain't changed that much but I couldn't even recognize Fort Hood.

We wish Jack well in his new home!

Spoke with him earlier tonight - he ought to be moving in about a week

I'll drop you a note shortly. I will still probably have someone else do this job as there are a few "challenges" I probably shouldn't attempt.

***

Cannot answer your question about a gunsmith, but might I ask where you are going to find 455 Eley brass?

The reason I ask is that I have an unshaved Enfield revolver in 455 Webley and can use some 455 Eley brass to make up some ammo. I do occasionally find it on G broker but it goes for big dollars and 25 people are bidding on it just like the Webley brass.

Thanks

Bob

Although nothing in stock currently.

Brass:
http://www.buffaloarms.com/476_Enfield_Reloading_Brass_it-157379.aspx?TERM=455

Ammo:
http://www.buffaloarms.com/455_Webley_Ammunition_it-158065.aspx?TERM=455

Apparently, the Hornady ammo has been discontinued.

I was told it could be made from .45 Colt but the Donnely (sp?) book shows Auto Rim brass as the base. Never done either yet so I cannot comment. I have loaded HB Webley/Eley bullets in AR brass to simulate the round in a couple of shaved revolvers...great fun!

Thanks for the links

I made up a hundred rounds from 45 colt brass last year. I used a friends Unimat lathe and after trimming down to 45 ACP length and thinning the rims I had enough. WHew.

My problem is that the 45 ACP taper crimp died is not good enough to keep the bullets from pulling. I need to find a 45 ACP roll crimp die or buy an extra 45 colt roll crimp seater die and saw it off so he short ACP or WEbley or Eley case can enter deep enough to roll crimp

Bob

I am very interested to hear of any triumphs or tribulations...may save me a step or two.

Cheers!