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Looking at a Webley
I recently read a few post about Webley's that peaked my interest. Now I have come across a 1915 MARK VI locally and am considering buying it. Anything special I need to know before buying? I think his price of $450 is fair enough?
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Sorry, thought I had attached pics....
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Another pic
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Sometimes they have had the cylinders shaved for 45acp instead of .455. Just Make sure it is in the caliber you want.
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He said it was .455
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Are there any photos of the cylinder face to determine whether it has been shaved or not? I have a 1916 Mk VI shaved for .45 ACP/Auto Rim and it shoots well but I make sure to use handloads loaded to .455 Webley specifications (you wouldn't want to shoot factory .45 ACP rounds through it as that's unsafe). I prefer to shoot .45 Auto Rim with plated bullet using Trail Boss. If it's in the original .455 (which would be a bonus), you'd have to make your own ammunition or try to get the Fiocchi .455 Webley ammunition. I'm sure you've already done a load of reading up on the differences between shaved/unshaved but definitely snag it if it is actually in the original .455!
Nice looking revolver there and the finish looks ok. 4" barrel, too. I'm not a Webley expert, just an enthusiast and I've seen a few recently. $450 seems ok because I've seen them go for far more ridiculous prices on the auction sites, I paid $470 recently for one in rougher condition than yours (My 1916 Mk VI, 6" barrel and the bore was pitted but serviceable). |
The cylinder gap at the back looks right, (nice and narrow) but the guys are right..a cut down cylinder made to accept .45 ACP is much more convenient, ammo wise, but the gun loses collector value if its been modified.
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Only other pic I have at this time.
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Hi Dave (if I may),
http://www.gunauction.com/buy/107853...ut-british-wwi This is an expired auction for an uncut Mk VI to give you an idea (if you look at the photo of the cylinder, you see evidence of the proof markings and the like and look at the side of the cylinder for the serial number). (Mods, if this is inappropriate please delete, but I hope it is ok to show an expired auction). If the serial number looks like the one in those photos then it should be ok but if some of the numbers are missing the bottom strokes then it's probably shaved. Like Doug said, your cylinder gap looks about right but best to be safe. $450 for an uncut Mk VI would be a steal, I think! But acceptable for a shaved one, too (particularly if you reload). Either way, she's a beauty and well worth having! If it is a .45 ACP, I use .452 bullets (Berry's plated round nose, hollow base) in an Auto Rim case with Trail Boss and she does quite well even though I load quite gently for my 'been through the wars' Mk VI. |
Initial impression looks good. Cut down cylinders usually have very obvious machine marks across the back of the cylinder.
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The barrel looks a little short and the front sight base countour appears diffrent but this may be a trick of the camera. Webley Revolvers by Gordan Bruce & Christian Reinhart do say some Mk.VI frames were fitted with Mk.V four inch barrels.
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$450 is a steal for a Webley in such nice shape, shaved cylinder or not. Nice rifling, original finish, lanyard ring still present... I'll take it if you dont!
Personally I prefer the .455, its a sweet shooting cartridge with mild recoil. Fiocchi makes it, althought it is pricey. Although it was probably just the rare bad batch, I had a bad box once with 2 squibs and really dirty powder. I sent the remaining cartridges in and they swapped me for some nice .44mag. I have no problem shooting Fiocchi ammo, except for this cartridge that I have handloaded ever since. |
For a collectable, you don't want it to say either "FTR" or"Made in England".
And yes, that's a very good price. A steal for an uncut! I assume it's a factory 4" bbl. More rare than the common 6" model. Furno |
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OK, I think I see...You'd want it as close to as-issued condition as possible...Not a rebuild... For a shooter, I'd want the refurb... ;) |
Refurb
That's correct. Maybe it's a personal preference, but it's like M1's Nagants, etc that were rebuilt and/or refinished even by an arsenal. I prefer one that is "original", not messed with by anybody.
Furno |
I think (my opinion only) that it has been shortened and front sight reset. That being said, it's well done and it's still worth $450.00, even as a shooter. I would pay $450.00 for it. I have a MKI shaved, with the blue stripped. I paid $300 for it and don't regret it at all. They are fun to shoot. I use .45 Auto-Rimmed brass with light loads equal to the old BP loads. Very accurate..
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Whether this one was cut down or not is hard to determine from the photo, although that particular barrel length did exist.
http://www.nramuseum.com/the-museum/...-revolver.aspx If you look at the example in the national Firearms Museum, it does have a different profile front sight, more appropriate to a shorter barrel while the example under discussion appears to have the full length revolver's sight pattern. |
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Webley
You guys raise a really good point. The sight looks strange. I have a Mark V with a 4" bbl, and a Mark VI with a 6" bbl. This doesn't look like either; the VI is pinned, and the V is integral with the rib. This looks like the VI, but I don't have a picture of a 4" bbl. Mark VI.
I really like these Webleys, they are no-nonsense cannons, compared to the beautiful highly engineered Central Powers autos and the wimpy WW2 .38 Enfields. A lot depends on whether this is to be a shooter or a collector. Furno |
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Well, let's see what Google turns up for 4" Webleys... :rolleyes:
Hmmmmm...Maybe take a real good look at that front sight... :D |
Why pick a $450 uncut .455 Webley apart? I'd jump on it, you can't lose at that price.
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My orginal conversation with this gentalmen was that the gun was all orginal. After several questions I now find that is NOT numbers matching as first believed. At least it was a good topic for a day.
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Offer him $350 and go from there. Even at $450, it's still not a bad deal... ;) (If he counter-offers $400, I'd say get something to go with it...Box of ammo, holster, boondoggle lanyard, kiss from his wife, anything...It's still worth it...) :evilgrin: |
Did you pick it up in the end or did you decide against it (due to it not being matching)?
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I passed on it. Think I will save my money and get a nice collector. Mean while I can read up and learn a little more about them.
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