mcb
Member
So I have always had a thing for double-action top-break revolvers and the Webley revolvers have always been my favorite of the lot. My first top break was an old Iver Johnson Safety-Automatic (second model). A bit later I got my first Webley one of the 100th anniversary Webley Mark IV in 38-200 but the 455 Webley was always a revolver that escaped my search. Proper revolver cartridges should be short and fat!
About a week ago a local gun shop shared a nice S&W 1917 on their Facebook page and I went into have a look. It was a post WWII commercial revolver but was very tempting given the price. But sitting next to it in the display case was a S&W triple lock in 455 Webley and it was in spectacular shape. It was even more tempting but it also sparked a conversation on 455 Webley with the salesman and after some conversation he told me he had a Webley Mark VI in the back waiting for the time to expire so they could sell it (used guns have to be held by pawn and gun shops in Alabama for some specified time IIRC). He kindly let me look at it early and even more kindly after examining it allowed me to have first dibs on it. I picked it up this morning!
The finish has taking on the brown patina of an old gun, there is some spots of rust but given the age the condition is pretty good.
If I have read the marking right this gun the '16 on the top strap means it was put into service in 1916 making it 104 years old. All the serial numbers match on upper and lower frame and cylinder.
Most importantly the cylinder has not been shaved for 45 ACP. You can still see the stampings on the face of the cylinder. So it has not been abused and the hinge and latch are tight!
The bore is not perfect but for 104 years old in excellent condition.
I have four boxes of ammo ordered for it. Grafs and Sons has contracted On Target to load a 455 Webley using a proper .455 diameter polymer coated bullet in Star-Line brass. This will hold me until I can find a set of dies and give me a good starting batch of good brass. Once I get some dies I will order some Mk II bullets from Matt's bullets. He is making a faithful copy of the Mk II hollow based bullet.
I think I can tweak some Safariland Comp I 44-Mag speed-loaders to work with the Webley or maybe 3D print a clone of a Speed Beez type loader sized for 455 Webley.
What I need now is a good sturdy belt holster. My intention is to start carrying this revolver as my woods/UTV/tractor revolver. So if you know anyone that is making a good belt holster for Webley Mark VI I would love to hear about them. Thanks!
About a week ago a local gun shop shared a nice S&W 1917 on their Facebook page and I went into have a look. It was a post WWII commercial revolver but was very tempting given the price. But sitting next to it in the display case was a S&W triple lock in 455 Webley and it was in spectacular shape. It was even more tempting but it also sparked a conversation on 455 Webley with the salesman and after some conversation he told me he had a Webley Mark VI in the back waiting for the time to expire so they could sell it (used guns have to be held by pawn and gun shops in Alabama for some specified time IIRC). He kindly let me look at it early and even more kindly after examining it allowed me to have first dibs on it. I picked it up this morning!
The finish has taking on the brown patina of an old gun, there is some spots of rust but given the age the condition is pretty good.
If I have read the marking right this gun the '16 on the top strap means it was put into service in 1916 making it 104 years old. All the serial numbers match on upper and lower frame and cylinder.
Most importantly the cylinder has not been shaved for 45 ACP. You can still see the stampings on the face of the cylinder. So it has not been abused and the hinge and latch are tight!
The bore is not perfect but for 104 years old in excellent condition.
I have four boxes of ammo ordered for it. Grafs and Sons has contracted On Target to load a 455 Webley using a proper .455 diameter polymer coated bullet in Star-Line brass. This will hold me until I can find a set of dies and give me a good starting batch of good brass. Once I get some dies I will order some Mk II bullets from Matt's bullets. He is making a faithful copy of the Mk II hollow based bullet.
I think I can tweak some Safariland Comp I 44-Mag speed-loaders to work with the Webley or maybe 3D print a clone of a Speed Beez type loader sized for 455 Webley.
What I need now is a good sturdy belt holster. My intention is to start carrying this revolver as my woods/UTV/tractor revolver. So if you know anyone that is making a good belt holster for Webley Mark VI I would love to hear about them. Thanks!