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**Mike Irwin** · March 8, 2011, 12:50 AM

The .455 Colt is actually the old British .455 Webley Mk I cartridge, which started out as a blackpowder round in 1892.

When the switch was made to Cordite (smokeless) powder in 1897, the case was shortened a bit, a bout .1 inches, to create the .455 Webley Mk II.

Ballistically the two rounds were pretty much the same.

Colt, Smith & Wesson and others chambered the .455 Webley Mk I as the .455 Colt up until about World War I, primarily for sale in Canada. Ammunition was loaded in the United States up through to about 1930.

March 8, 2011, 12:50 AM	#2
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,380	The .455 Colt is actually the old British .455 Webley Mk I cartridge, which started out as a blackpowder round in 1892. When the switch was made to Cordite (smokeless) powder in 1897, the case was shortened a bit, a bout .1 inches, to create the .455 Webley Mk II. Ballistically the two rounds were pretty much the same. Colt, Smith & Wesson and others chambered the .455 Webley Mk I as the .455 Colt up until about World War I, primarily for sale in Canada. Ammunition was loaded in the United States up through to about 1930. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.