Skip to main content
Help Center Community Shop

Sweet 1918 webley top break with ephemera

mrmike08075
https://www.GunBroker.com/item/788595602

Sweet 1918 webley top break with ephemera

All numbers matching treaty of Versailles period inter war production top break with all numbers matching - has the shaved cylinder arsenal conversion to allow use of .45 acp ammo with full or half moon clips

You don't see these much these days - amazingly detailed research file and ephemera - documents included

Works like a Swiss watch - eats any ammo you feed it

The nice thing is that a box of .45 acp range day ammo might be found for $9.99 - much cheaper than a box of .455 Webley - assuming your local shop has any in stock

A great collectable and a great shooter all in one

Mike
0

Comments

21 comments

Date Votes
  • Sam06
    I like Webley's and have had a few all were cut like that.

    What I want is one not cut. I want one in 455 Webley "Manstopper". I have dies, brass and a bullet mold, I just need to find the right gun.

    The older ones with the shorter barrel and kind of a birds head grip are cool but man are they expensive. I think they made S$W 1917's in 455, I would go for one.

    This the one I like:

    https://www.GunBroker.com/item/786668522
    0
  • jimdeere
    I was going to bid on it using my phone, but I need the seller to tell me it?s in better shape than the pics indicate.
    0
  • mrmike08075
    1. Kasey provides accurate description and an exhaustive photographic library...

    2. The description is accurate and the files - documents - ephemera are all accurate. Since I wrote the spec sheet and description and I did the research I can give you my word that the gun is as stated.

    Many here take my word as canon and honest (and a few trolls hate me)

    It's a good gun - you would appreciate it

    Mike
    0
  • jimdeere
    http://forums.GunBroker.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=715396
    0
  • mrmike08075
    Jim am I missing the joke???

    Please explain you responses to this thread - I am confused.

    It's my gun - it's my research file - it's locust forks auction - tons of pics - and a am uncertain what your interest is.?

    Mike
    0
  • jimdeere
    From LF?s post:
    ?Yeah, so this just came.....

    ?Please tell me about the condition. I was bidding from my phone and didn?t realize how bad it looks in the pics. Pretty sure I don?t want it unless you tell me it?s in much better shape than the pics indicate. Thanks, John??
    Sorry for the lame attempt at humor.
    0
  • mrmike08075
    No worries - I thought you had discovered something wrong with the auction or with the gun - or that I might have made a mistake...

    It's a good piece - and they seem to have become somewhat scarce...

    Many purists want an intact original chambered model - but many Americans like the .45 acp version cause it's cheaper to shoot

    I might add that if you get an unshaven cylinder from numrich they are easy to swap out and you end up being able to fire a whole bunch of different ammo through the gun

    Treaty of Versailles period inter war pieces have developed a niche collectors following

    Penny start - good piece - please take a look at it.

    Mike
    0
  • DaveF
    Stolen from British Militaria Forums, but something to bear in mind about conversions from .455 to 45ACP:-

    Please consider these facts -
    1. The operating pressure for the Mark VI Webley revolver (the last, and strongest, of the .455 Webley service revolvers) was a maximum of 13200PSI (i.e. six 'long tons' of 2200 lbs).
    2. The standard operating pressure generated by milspec and full factory loads of .45 ACP ball ammunition is 19,000PSI.
    3. The pressure of .45 ACP milspec and standard factory loads exceeds the proof load for the Mark VI Webley revolver.
    0
  • DaveF
    [?]
    0
  • DaveF
    Double post - sorry.
    0
  • droptop
    quote:Originally posted by jimdeere
    I was going to bid on it using my phone, but I need the seller to tell me it?s in better shape than the pics indicate.
    What stopped you?[:D]
    0
  • mrmike08075
    I have never seen or heard of a webley coming apart while using .45acp ammo...

    The British practice of testing / proofing the bbls with a triple powder load seems to all but eliminate any perceived threat

    I put several hundred rounds of 230 grain FMJ ball ammo with no issues - but you could easily use 200 grs or 180 grs with no issues

    Please show me one reference book or magazine article were a converted webley blew up when fired

    It's a none issue - and as stated above an intact unshaven cylinder from numrich arms pretty cheaply if you are worried

    I was not and am not

    Mike
    0
  • Locust Fork
    quote:Originally posted by jimdeere
    I was going to bid on it using my phone, but I need the seller to tell me it?s in better shape than the pics indicate.



    The key is to win the auction.....and THEN send messages like this. Haven't you learned anything????[:D][:D][:D]


    Yeah, my Canadian friends are HUGE fans of the Webley revolvers. This is a nice one!
    0
  • mrmike08075
    As kasey noted this is a nice one...

    We had a total of 11 treaty of Versailles period interwar production handguns including a Luger and a 1911 and all 3 Mauser semi autos and a glisenti...

    These guns were better made and better finished.

    We could have replaced the grip panel but it was our practice to keep these guns as intact and original as possible

    This is out of my personal collection and has been handled by Kasey's great family of workers

    Bid with confidence on this one is you trust me or Kasey

    I would feel better if one of you acquired it - I might have some goodies to send you if you win.

    Thanks guys - and again thanks to Kasey

    Mike
    0
  • mrmike08075
    Bump / btt

    Mike
    0
  • mrmike08075
    I will blame this glaring error on the brain tumor...

    I forgot to mention that you may forgo moon clips and safely fire the .45 auto rim cartridge in this revolver.

    Please forgive the giant error - enormous brain freeze.

    Thanks again

    Mike
    0
  • Doc
    Altering the caliber doesn't affect C&R status? Also, Priority Mail would not be legal for a handgun to a C&R licensee.

    Sorry for being a prick but I feel the need to point out reality.
    0
  • mrmike08075
    It's still a C&R and that's black letter law - and Kasey knows her business...

    Great gun - please take a look and consider bidding if it interests you.

    Mike
    0
  • mrmike08075
    Still an amazing bargain - get a solid piece of history below market value...

    Mike
    0
  • DaveF
    Originally posted by mrmike08075
    I have never seen or heard of a webley coming apart while using .45acp ammo...
    Please show me one reference book or magazine article were a converted webley blew up when fired
    Mike

    Having owned and shot several .455 Webley revolvers, I only posted as a general warning. I only shot my own reloads.
    I can't find an actual reference book or magazine article, but can find photos of a blown-up .455 cylinder loaded with .45ACP

    7p6EqICm.pngKzMbQ0Em.png
    0
  • mrmike08075
    I don't know the circumstances that lead up to that failure - the condition of the gun - how well it was maintained - if the ammo was stored right or had issues - chain fire - gang fire - muzzle blockage - human stupidity...

    I have owned 11 webleys (the military variants) and one tankers enfield as well as a half dozen bulldogs...

    Shaved and non shaved cylinders - a .410 gauge conversion with a choke installed - one designed to launch flares - and a single shot variant with no cylinder...

    As you guys know I shoot my guns - extensively and with all sorts of ammo...

    I have never seen one fail - never had one pass through the shop (in 20 years) that had failed - never encountered one on the east coast show circuit that failed like that - of at the range in over 30 years as a range safety officer.

    I have 11 books on webelys and enfields and nothing like this is presented or pictured or documented or discussed.

    I have seen ringed bbl bulges but never a catastrophic failure of this nature.

    Did it happen - I guess so - I don't think you faked the pics or did anything nefarious...

    IMHO they are fairly solid overbuilt heavily constructed lumps of steel that are close to bullet proof no matter what type of abuse they may have suffered.

    I have a zig zag variant and a .476 variant...

    I consider it one of the safest guns ever made.

    I would be interested in learning more about the incident behind your photos - as I am open to learning new things.

    And I appreciate you bringing it to my attention.

    Mike
    0

Please sign in to leave a comment.

Recent Activity