Simpsons Ltd's Webleys
 

I know there has been some interest in Webleys here before so I thought I would mention that Simpsons Ltd is selling off a whole bunch of Webleys. They are being snatched up as fast as they put them on their web site.
https://www.simpsonltd.com/advanced_...b9b2200c2fa447

Marc

Sniff...I can remember when you could purchase a decent "war finish" Webley for about $250.

I don't collect British per say but I can remember not too long ago you almost couldn't even give the Enfield type .380/200 bobbed jobs away. Well, not anymore.

Webley .38s
 

OK Guys...Im showing my age here ....however....gotta tell you this...back in the day....approximately late 50s...my Dad...bought me a .38 Webley....stamped "War Finish"....from the back of a magazine...including 50 rounds of ammunition for.....(drum roll here......).....$16.00 plus shipping.....and stretching my memory but I seem to recall.......Lewis Dewat Machine Guns for $30.00..........sigh........the "Good Ole Days"......Ive still got the Webley....gave it to one of my Sons...............oh well......those were the days...........Hans Fischer:cool:

My first center fire hand gun was a Webley MK IV , in like new condition. I paid $14.50 for it at the Archie Weinstein's Surplus store in Eugene. He had a pickle barrel full of lessor grade M-1 Carbines as a door stop. The sign said "Your Choice $19.95".

Marc,

Thanks for the link and a look at some interesting Webleys. I've been collecting some so that I can complete my WWI collection (of basically British and German handguns). I have to admit, some of the older blackpowder Webleys are sure tempting. Now if only they had a 1914 Mk V... :)

You should notice that the webleys are .455 cal and not the common .38. Daivd

I guess I'm the only one who thinks these are way overpriced... :p

Don't know anything about Webley. But looks like the overall price range is actually lower than that of Lugers and Broomhandles. Is that normal?? Initial manufacturing cost does not count anymore, it's pure demand and supply driven now :)

Even though they are .455, I agree they are expensive for Webleys, but It's Simpson.

I bet in a couple of years folks will wish they could pick up guns at these prices. I've been watching Webley prices on Auction Arms, Gunbroker, etc for a few months now and Simpsons could be asking more, as evidenced by how fast they are selling.
Marc

The same can be said for P38s. Up until very recently you could still get a matching, correct, non import makerd P38 for $450-$500, now people are asking in the $1,000 area for run of the mill examples.

One wonders what changed?

Let's see this scenario making sense or not -- say, I retired last month, and I started collecting pistols... which one to buy though, so many choices.... but guns in $200-$900 range would be an easy starting point...

But I don't believe Webley or P38 could go without a cap. When they become expensive, there will be cheaper alternatives absorbing new collecting activities. Maybe one day my CZ 83, Yugo SKS, MN-91 etc would go above $500 :)

I bought this on Ebay. $12.95 in 1955. I'm seriously considering starting one of those junior rifle clubs.
Marc

There's been a resurgence in interest in old classic guns. I think partly due to the "teflon" guns of today. Some of it has been spurred by the Cow Boy Shoot popularity. The younger "teflon" crowd has been exposed to how the old classic guns look, feel and shoot.

Webley's have also gained interest, mainly due to the numerous models and variations. Most of the Webley's on Simpson's are rare or scarce variations. The Military Webley's, MK IV and MK VI are climbing in value, but still somewhat affordable.

I have an interest in the old Model 98 Mauser German & Austrian Stalking Rifles. They were relatively, leveled off and affordable for a long period of time. Now they are beginning to be noticed and prices are rising fast.

I just thought it over. Interesting C&R guns should (1) have enough variations; (2) have certain production and survival volume in good shape, not too big not too small; (3) looks very different from current production ones.

Webley fulfills all three.

Webley .22 Cal Conversion units
 

I just thought I would show three Webley .22 Cal. conversion units I have picked up over the years.
The top two are for the Mk. VI .455 and the bottom is for the Mk. IV .38.

Thank you for posting these pics! :thumbup:

I'm not familiar with conversion units - Could you show them mounted on a Webley? If that is not possible, could you describe how they mount? :)

Pistino
The units mount by removing the cylinder and simply inserting the conversion barrel into the pistol barrel.
The single shot unit is retained by the pistols cam lever. The six shot conversion units barrel is ratained by the threaded muzzle nut and the cylinder is reained by the cam level.
I know I have not explained this very well, but hope the pictures help.
Thanks
Ed

Ed -

Thanks for the explanation! I had wondered how the little 'clamp' on the 22 barrel worked; I'm guessing it acts as a spacer/stop for the 22 cylinder...

Interesting...Is the 22 barrel offset to allow the hammer to strike the rim of the 22's???