Webley MKI

[Pay Dirt Norvelle]

I was in a local gun shop and noticed that the have a Webley MKI on consignment for $500.00.  I am somewhat interested in buying it, but have almost no knowledge on Webleys although I know some have the cylinders shaved so that they could shoot .45acp.  Did the MKI shoot black powder or  was it smokeless?  Also what should I look for so that I will not spend my money unwisely?  thanks in advance.

[PJ Hardtack]

This is one for 'Rattlesnake Jack' to respond to, our resident expert on all things pertaining to British service revolvers.

While I do have a MK VI and a .455 Colt New Service, my only Brit BP-era revolver is a .450 Tranter Army.

[St. George]

Black Powder - period...

Don't buy one altered for .45ACP - get one in the original .455.

Look for matching serial numbers, and do some reading of Ian Skennerton's books before you decide to shop for one.

Scouts Out!

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

Does it look anything like this Mk II, vintage 1895-7?

https://www.google.ca/search?q=webley+mk+i+revolver&tbm=isch&imgil=eJI5HKTCIFnEFM%253A%253Bhttps%253A%252F%252Fencrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com%252Fimages%253Fq%253Dtbn%253AANd9GcSQv5OBo7sNKSsfxppN1EuThz3S6RbrWSXCMD9aM-5Fo6TSl6r7%253B450%253B436%253BufsjNCEy1oNsfM%253Bhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Fhellinahandbasket.net%25252F&source=iu&usg=__GVfrbSgerYJV1SzhFpqz1q8xJ08%3D&sa=X&ei=vBLoUsXwEoGxoQTXioC4DA&ved=0CEEQ9QEwBQ&biw=1032&bih=465#facrc=_&imgdii=eJI5HKTCIFnEFM%3A%3BYdG5TCWwK3nXVM%3BeJI5HKTCIFnEFM%3A&imgrc=eJI5HKTCIFnEFM%253A%3BufsjNCEy1oNsfM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fhellinahandbasket.net%252Fwp-content%252Fuploads%252F2014%252F01%252FWebley_mk4_open.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fhellinahandbasket.net%252F%3B450%3B436

If it older than 1895 it is a BP only proposition.

[Pay Dirt Norvelle]

I will be able to check it out further on Wednesday and give it a really good going over.  What I remember is that tag said 455 on it and I was on the way out and didn't look at it that hard. 

[PJ Hardtack]

A lot of reworked Webleys were not restamped after the alteration.

With the current availability of .455 brass, I regard such alterations as blasphemy, desecration of an 'antique' of which there is a limited supply. The more we alter, the fewer remain.

Makes as much sense as rechambering S&W or Colt .44 Russians to .44 Spl.

[Drydock]

While I agree with that sentiment, as a shooter it could be quite enjoyable, and at a price far below that of an unaltered MK 1.  If it was in good shape and well timed, I might very well grab it, and load up some .45 Auto Rim with BP.

[Niederlander]

My thoughts exactly.  While I would never have that conversion done myself, I'd certainly use it as a shooter and be glad I had it.  Once the harm has been done, it's not like you can put it back.

[pony express]

Agreed... if there isn't any damage from firing too many .45acp, grab it up and use it for a shooter.

[Pay Dirt Norvelle]

I went back to the gun shop today and the Webley was gone     Somebody had already bought it.  However, the was a nice 96 Broomhandle for sale.  It was a bit to expensive for me at $1,850.00 so I will have to start looking somewhere else for a Webley. 

[Major 2]

Boy  ... I know that "-itis" -.... been there done that, got the T-shirt 

The time to snag " whatever " is that "seize moment " decision.... I have on occasion failed at. 

[Guns Garrett]

Boy  ... I know that "-itis" -.... been there done that, got the T-shirt 

The time to snag " whatever " is that "seize moment " decision.... I have on occasion failed at. 

I missed out on a very nice .44 S&W "Frontier" double-action Top-Break I found in a Wichita gunshop - for $450.  (Why so cheap?  "It had been completely [and very professionally] refinished, and had no collector value")

I had decided to leave my plastic at home that day...

[Major 2]

That one will haunt you 

[Delmonico]

I got a non-collectable Low-Wall and I did speak up right away.  (Well the dealer asked me first, had it in the back room.   Seemes it was re-barreled, a bit more modern caliber, 22 Hornet with a Springfield barrel like was common.  $235