Webley Mk.VI markings

RevolvingGarbage · Mar 6, 2019

I wanted to share some pictures of the markings on my MK. VI in the hopes that somebody can help me figure out about when it was made. Most examples I've seen online are stamped with a date somewhere, but on this gun I see none.

The 4 digit number is the guns serial number, and I feel like the crossed out numbers on the frame indicate that the gun was arsenal rebuilt at some point but I could be mistaken.

Ive read that the "N" stamp on the butt may indicate it was navy issued. Does anyone know more about that?

Just today I noticed this "M" on the grip panel. Any significance to that?

..and one last pic just because it's a great looking revolver.

I would appreciate any info at all. Thanks!

Galil5.56 · Mar 13, 2019

RevolvingGarbage said:
I wanted to share some pictures of the markings on my MK. VI in the hopes that somebody can help me figure out about when it was made. Most examples I've seen online are stamped with a date somewhere, but on this gun I see none.

View attachment 829691

View attachment 829686
The 4 digit number is the guns serial number, and I feel like the crossed out numbers on the frame indicate that the gun was arsenal rebuilt at some point but I could be mistaken.
View attachment 829687
Ive read that the "N" stamp on the butt may indicate it was navy issued. Does anyone know more about that?
View attachment 829689 Just today I noticed this "M" on the grip panel. Any significance to that?
View attachment 829690 ..and one last pic just because it's a great looking revolver.
View attachment 829692

I would appreciate any info at all. Thanks!

That is a very fine revolver indeed, and it looks to be un-shaved, in original .455... Nice! I had a postwar, Israeli issued Mark IV in .38 S&W, and like you wanted to determin its age. Perhaps this website link will help:

http://rbsiii.com/Guns/Birmingham_Viewers_Date_Marks.jpg

For my revolver I removed the grips, to find the viewers stamp as shown:

Looks like mine was made in 1968, which was confirmed because it had a "B" serial number prefix. Of course they snuck in another BHP proof mark, and I'm not sure what the "Z" means... Maybe one of the inspectors?

Good luck, and congratulations on your fine revolver.

RevolvingGarbage · Mar 13, 2019

I appreciate the information! I did remove my grips, and found the original 6 digit serial number and am working on using that to find the date of manufacture. This Webley has actually been shaved for .45ACP, but it's loaded in the pictures above with .455 ammo using a steel spacer.

Mk VII · May 16, 2019

I'm thinking, commercial gun, with the address on the bbl. Some parts with the government mark, but they could have been changed over the years. The winged bullet confirms it.
https://www.armsresearch.co.uk/ have the Webley sales ledgers and will probably be able to tell you who the original jobber/buyer was. The M-for-Medium grips came out in the '20s.

4v50 Gary · May 16, 2019

Dowell's The Webley Story as revised by Bruce and Reinhardt is the best book available on the venerable Webley revolver. My copy is in the library (so I'm not getting off my chair) and I won't look at it until later. It's dark right now.

4v50 Gary · May 17, 2019

Good morning. Pulled the book out and did find on page 207 that "after October 1921 all new stockplates for the Mark VI were marked at the lower sides with a letter S, M, or L to denote the respective sizes - small, medium and large."

Webley Mk.VI markings

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