Cylinder Movement, Webley Mrk VI

[Boat]

How much rotation of the cylinder would be acceptable in an old .455 Webley when it is in battery? I can't figure out how to reduce to almost zero. The gun has all matching serial numbers.

 

[unspellable]

First, cylinder rotation on a Webley Mk VI should be assessed by cocking and lowering the hammer while holding the trigger back in the manner of the older style Colt double actions. The hand will then be pushing on the ratchet and ideally the cylinder should have no rotational play at all. How ever a small amount of play isn't really going to hurt so I'd allow a bit before I felt I had to do something about it.

The Webley Mk VI has two cylinder bolts. One essentially holds the cylinder while the trigger is forward and allows a fair amount of rotational play. With the trigger back the hand pushes on the ratchet and the cylinder is rotated as far as the other "firing" bolt will allow.

If you have excess play look at the tip of the hand for damage or wear and consider the hand length. Look at the ratchet for damage or wear. The second "firing" bolt may have too much side to side play in its window.

This is not like say, a single action Ruger Blackhak where holding the trigger back makes no difference at all. It's a different system.

 

[Boat]

Unspellable has been a great help. I was fighting a problem i did not have.

 

[Jim K]

The purpose of the "trigger stop" (Webley's term) engaging the front cylinder notch is to prevent the cylinder from rotating backward while the revolver is in the holster or from being dragged backward by the "pawl" (hand). Play is normal, and ensures pawl re-engagement with the ratchet.

If backward cylinder rotation is not prevented, pulling the trigger could bring an already fired cartridge under the hammer, with possibly fatal results.

Jim

 

[Boat]

Thanks, there is a lot of knowledge out there.
I had to replace barrel on.455. The replacement from Apex is older and lighter, thinner wall than original 1918. Would you think, while not as strong of course, it would be OK to fire?