Original Belgian Victorian Webley-Pryse Style Top Break Double Action .450 Revolver – Serial 5566 Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a most interesting EARLY 6 shot .450 Caliber revolver probably made circa 1870, very much in the Pryse / Webley-Pryse style. There are no maker or retailer markings at all, and it does look to have seen long service, which would probably have ablated markings if they did exist. However, the front of the cylinder bears a relatively clear E / L G / * in an Oval, indicating manufacture in Liège, Belgium. There are also additional proofs, such as a large CROWN / R next to the barrel, the Belgian proof mark for a rifled barrel. Under this is a CROWN / E, for one of the many inspectors based in Liège.

This city had become a gun-making powerhouse after the Napoleonic wars, and manufactured guns under contract to many firms in the United Kingdom, France, and elsewhere. This meant that they had ample access to the various designs from those countries, with the end result being revolvers such as this, which were very popular with officers in the British Military, who were required to purchase their own arms. There is what looks to be a regimental marking on the rear of the grip strap, which reads 5. J 3 / 1458, which we have not been able to identify. There is also serial number 5566 stamped on the lower right side of the frame next to another proof mark.

This revolver is a very nice Webley-Pryse style design, top break with a built in ejector, and is a “double action only” design. Instead of the patented press button release, it uses a thumb screw, similar to many earlier designs. There is no caliber marking that we could find on the revolver, but the bore measures about .440″ land to land at both the muzzle and the breech end, with the cylinder chambers measuring about .460″ at the muzzle and .486″ at the breech ends. The cylinder is only 1.42 inches long, which is too short for .455 Webley, and borderline for .476 Enfield. We assume this is for a .45 Adams / Boxer black powder centerfire cartridge.

The revolver exterior shows scattered past pitting, and definitely looks to have been exposed to the elements for a time, probably during long military service. Whatever finish it had is now almost long gone, which may have been nickel plate, as there is some remaining on the butt cap. The grips are dark, and look to have been refinished. This is most likely an Officer’s Private Purchase item which saw long use in the field.

The revolver cycles well in double action, though it definitely is finicky, and sometimes several tries are required to get the cylinder to turn. The revolver frame breaks open correctly, however it does stick a bit, so a rubber mallet may be required to break open the frame. The spring loaded ejector presents correctly once the frame is open, and snaps back once it is opened all the way. The bore is in very good condition, showing strong lands and grooves with a partly bright finish. There is a bit of oxidation and fouling in the grooves, and very light overall wear. The revolver does not look to have seen much use in firing, though it was carried for an extensive period of time.

This wonderful revolver would have been appropriate for the South African ZULU WAR of 1879, the EGYPTIAN WAR of 1884 followed by the SUDANESE WARS and those throughout BRITISH INDIA. Ready to research and display!

Specifications:

Year of Manufacture: circa 1870
Caliber: .45 Adams / Boxer
Ammunition Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Overall Length: 10 5/8 inches
Barrel Length: 5 3/4 inches
Action: External Hammer Double/Single Action
Feed System: 6 Shot Revolver