Smith & Wesson Triple Lock revolver .455″
| 01. Original name | .44 Hand Ejector 1st Model New Century 1908. British Army designation: Pistol Smith & Wesson .455 with 6 ½ inch barrel Mark I | |
| 02. Other official names | Smith & Wesson “N” Frame .44 Military Model | |
| 03. Popular names | Smith & Wesson Triple Lock | |
| 04. Chamberings | .44 S&W Special; .44 Russian; .44/40; .45 Colt, .455 MkII British; possibly .450 boxer and .22 LR | |
| 05. Designed by | Smith & Wesson from around 1900 (double action large frame swing out cylinder revolver) | |
| 06. Design date | 1907 (triple lock) | |
| 07. In service date(s) | 1914 to 1915 (replaced by the Mk II) | |
| 08. Adopted by | British and Canadian Forces manufactured in .455 calibre | |
| 09. Production quantities | Approx. 5812 | |
| 10. Mechanism | 6 shot “N” Frame swing out cylinder Double or single action Revolver | |
| 11. Weight | 2.38 Lbs unloaded (1.08kg) | |
| 12. Mountings | ||
| 13. Practicality in action | The N Frame revolver was extremely well made, accurate and strong. It had an unnecessary 3rd lock in front of the cylinder which, due to the Trench warfare conditions, easily clogged with mud making closure of the cylinder impossible | |
| 14. Comments / Other information | The N frame, set new standards for strength and durability. The new frame was designed to handle the pressures generated by the, then new, smokeless powders. It was proportioned for the big bore calibres, popular at that time. The initial gun based upon this frame was the Hand Ejector of 1908. This fired the .44 S&W cartridge, at standard velocities. The Model 1917, was one of the other early pistols based upon this frame. For a century, until the recent introduction of the X frame revolver for the new 50 Magnum, the N frame continued to be the heaviest, and strongest revolver frame that Smith & Wesson made. This frame was designed around the turn of the century, and has yet to be seriously improved upon. |