Produced between 1908 and 1915, this revolver comes with a letter from noted Smith & Wesson historian Roy G. Jinks, stating that he has personally inspected this revolver and has come to the conclusion that it is original in configuration, and also says that though the factory records do not list the caliber, checking this weapon with the original factory gauges confirms that it was produced as a 45 Long Colt revolver using a 455 Mark II cylinder. Chamberings other than 44 Special (the default for domestic production) and 455 Mark II (produced on contract for the British) are rare. The letter also lists a shipping date of October 5, 1916 to Merrick Anderson of Winnipeg, Manitoba, and calls out the checkered, medallion-free grips as an early feature. Equipped with a Lyman Target ivory bead front sight and a frame groove rear sight, with the two line patent and address markings on top of the barrel, large Smith & Wesson logo on the side plate, matching assembly numbers on the yoke and frame cut, and matching serial numbers inside the ejector housing and on the cylinder and butt. On the front of the ejector housing and frame are the distinctive cylinder pin lock and cutout for the yoke extension, with the pinned barrel, 5-screw frame, casehardened hammer and trigger, and the checkered walnut grips.

Excellent overall with 90% of the original factory blued finish, showing areas of brown and gray patina concentrated on the barrel and grip straps, along with some minor pitting, a light drag line on the cylinder, and scattered edge wear and handling marks. Bright colors are visible on the casehardened parts. Grips are excellent, with sharp checkering. Mechanically excellent. A superb combination of high condition and scarce caliber in a highly attractive collectors piece.