This is a beautiful example of a mid production S&W first model hand ejector revolver in the 45 Long Colt caliber. This specific revolver is accompanied with a S&W factory letter that indicated the actual pistol was shipped back to factory and was verified to have originally been manufactured in 45 Long Colt by using a .455 Mark II cylinder and chambering it for the scarce 45 Long Colt cartridge. The factory letter (dated Dec 2001 and signed by Roy Jinks) also indicates that they measured the height of the front sight and concluded that in fact it is also a higher sight blade that was also only used on 45 Colt caliber revolvers and that their assessment was that the revolver was originally factory assembled in this caliber. The front sight blade is a Lyman Target model with an ivory bead on top. The rear sight is a groove in top of the frame. This specific revolver was manufactured in October 1916 and shipped to Winnipeg, Manitoba. Also of note is that Mr. Jinks indicated that this model had the rare early production checkered walnut grips that were manufactured without the gold S&W medallions. This model was best known as the "Triple Lock" or New Century model and many people believe that this was the best S&W revolver ever manufactured. This pistol received the Triple Lock name because the cylinder is locked in the frame by three different methods, the cylinder latch, the latch at the front of the cylinder pin, and also a latch at the front edge of the crane. This "Triple Lock" concept was designed specifically for the "44 Special" cartridge, which was the "magnum" cartridge during this time. The top of the barrel has the two-line address and patent markings and the left side of the barrel has no caliber markings and it has the S&W logo on the right side of the frame. It features the five screw frame, with the shrouded extractor, and color casehardened hammer and trigger. The frame and cylinder crane are matching and assembly numbered 1008 and it has matching numbers 12714 on the rear of the cylinder, the bottom of the butt and inside the barrel shroud.