[george29]

I was wondering what knowledge anyone has on this fine piece of history which I just purchased?

[Jim K]

First, one question. Do you mean the Webley Mk II in .32 or .38 caliber or the government Mk II in .455?

Jim

[george29]

thanks for the reply, it is a .455

[orgdp]

If my memory serves correctly they were:D 1900-1905 era pistols. These older ones shouldn't be converted to .45ACP as the metal isn't up to snuff. Although i'm sure alot were imported in the 50s-60s in .45ACP to make a quick sell.

[Jim K]

The Webley revolver made for the British government as their Mk II, is .455 caliber. It has a "birdshead" grip with no "hump" at the top. The Mk II was the second of a series begun in 1887 with the .442 caliber Mk I, which was followed by the Mk II (1894), Mk III (1897) and Mk IV (1899). Most had 4" barrels, though some were made with 6" barrels. The differences were mainly internal and most had to do with strengthening and improvement of the action. Otherwise, all were typical Webley break top revolvers. The Mk I has a "hump" in the grip, the later models do not.

Quite a few of those guns came into the U.S., not as war surplus, but after the first big British crackdown on handgun ownership in the U.K. There was an amnesty during which owners of legally registered guns were browbeaten by the police to surrender their firearms. Thousands did so rather than have the police carry out threats of "shoot to kill" raids. A few legal gun owners resisted and kept their guns until the recent total ban on handguns.

Just a lesson in what we must not allow to happen here. At least the antis have not stopped elections, though they have rigged several and created an anti-gun atmosphere prior to others.

Jim

[george29]

thanks....any idea what they are worth (I paid $300) after speaking to a friend I trust, but would like another opinion. I bought it mainly for it's collectors value and not to shoot.

[Jim K]

I think that was a very good price. They are fairly scarce and they sure aren't making them any more.

If you do want to shoot it, you can sometimes find .455 ammo or you can make cases by trimming the rim of .45 Colt or .45 Auto Rim from the front, leaving a thin rim like the .455 Webley, then trimming the cases to .760". Keep loads well below .45 Colt and you should be OK.

Jim

[george29]

Thanks for your help. I always get the "buyers remorse" thing after buying another (un-needed) gun. I just couldn't pass it up. I also bought a MkII bull barrel Government model from the same collection for $300. The store hadn't yet even logged in the new guns and people were already picking them up with a credit card in the other hand, so I had to move fast. No regrets on the Ruger, but I can't see firing the Webley, maybe one day....anyway, thanks for the info.

[44AMP]

.455 Webley ammo is currently being made by Hornady. It is pretty mild stuff, like the original.