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A total of 69,755 Second Models were manufactured in .455 caliber. Roy Jinks’ book History of Smith & Wesson states that when production peaked in December of 1915 the factory was turning out 5,690 British Contract, Second Models per month. That production level was maintained until mid-September of 1916 when the contract was completed.

England wasn’t the only Commonwealth nation that turned to Smith &Wesson in quest of handguns during World War I. Due to its position as the senior dominion in the British Empire, Canada immediately found itself drawn into the hostilities with Germany upon England’s declaration of war. Faced with an acute shortage of serviceable handguns, Canada also contracted with Smith & Wesson for revolvers. Figures listed in Smith & Wesson 1857-1945, by Robert J. Neal and Roy Jinks, show that 14,500 of the .455 Second Models were purchased by the Canadian Government, to be issued to soldiers of the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF).

Much more crucial than the shortage of handguns, however, was Canada’s critical lack of fighting men. In early 1914 the Canadian Army comprised some 3,000 regular soldiers, supported by a militia of volunteers. Recognizing that war was imminent, in the summer of that year Canada launched a recruiting drive to form an expeditionary force. Whether motivated by a sense of patriotism, a desire for adventure, or the princely sum of $20 a month military pay, many young men enlisted. The Canadian Army eventually numbered nearly 600,000 strong. Of those, some 418,000 soldiers served overseas as members of the Canadian Expeditionary Force. Fighting under terrible conditions in France and Belgium, Canadian forces distinguished themselves in several major battles, at times incurring heavy casualties.