Webley Mk V backstrap stamp for Grant

[Drydock]

Hope this works,  Picked up one of these last week, see if Grant knows what this odd mark is.  Fuzzy I know, stamp reads "WDC RA 191"

The "D" could be an "O", and the "R" could be a "P", but i'm pretty sure they're not.

The numbers all match, and all the other Royal acceptance marks are there, along with broad arrows on everything.  No out of service marks though, and no civilian proof ratings stamped on it.  Just in front of the forcing cone on the left side is "    and" which I believe is a badly stamped "England".

[Drydock]

Locks up nice and tight, no wiggle in the hinge, and no wobble in the cylinder with the trigger back.  Bright shiny sharp edged bore.  Shaved for 45acp, fine by me, I'll load Auto Rims for it.  I suspect it was shot little or none after the conversion, thank goodness.  Shoots great with 454190s over a 455 spec charge of American Select.

[Niederlander]

That's a pretty cool pistola, Chuck!  Does it shoot pretty much to point of aim?  How's the single action pull?  If it's anything like the Mark VI I used to have, the double action pull would strain the average plow horse.

[Drydock]

Double action is moderately heavy, smooth, no stacking.  Much like my 1916 British Contract New Service, which I'm told is very good for that model.  Single action is maybe 5 or 6 pounds, but clean.  Off a rest It seems dead on at 10 yards.

I replaced the grips and installed a proper lanyard ring.

The pull is lighter than the Mk VIs I've handled.  Probably has to do with later wartime production pressures.

[Dusty Tagalon]

War Department Constabulary, Royal Arsenal

[Drydock]

By Jove, I do believe he's right, if Google can be believed.  Great!  I've visited Woolwich Royal Arsenal while visiting London in the early 90s, interesting to have a revolver once racked there.  

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

I stayed in the officers quarters in 1974 while on a staff tour of the arsenal. An impressive place and the Mother of ARSENAL FC.

[Drydock]

It wanders over half the globe, and ends up with a retired MP.  Ah, one story we know, the rest, silent in the steel.

[Baltimore Ed]

Drydock, Here's my Mk IV. I replaced the cut cylinder with an uncut one. The finishes match up pretty close.

[Baltimore Ed]

Here's another backstrap mark for the forum to figure out.

[The Pathfinder]

Drydock, now ya' went and got my hopes up... Picked up a Mk V for my own self and low and behold...no marks on the backstrap. Talk about disappointed. Got markings on my Mk VI (still trying to figure out that one) but not on my Mk IV, tho' I can't remember what I thought about that off the top of my head at the time. Both are in .455. But the only extra mark I can find on my Mk V is the word ENGLAND stamped on the left side of the barrel just ahead of the cylinder. No out of service marks or anything other than what you would expect to find on a Web. It's also a shaved cylinder gun that I plan on using 45AR in. Made in 1914. Oh well, can't have everything I guess, no mystery to solve of where it went because there's no clues to follow. Just have to enjoy shooting it.