Original British Victorian Royal Navy Webley Mark I Antique Revolver Serial 20682 – .45acp Converted Original Items

Original Item: One Only. This is one of the most hard to find of any British Military Revolver. Known as the MARK ONE, it is the very first version of the iconic Webley Top-Break revolver series. This model was first produced in 1887 and continued production until 1894 when it was replaced with the Mark two from 1894 until 1897. The series continued with the Mark three from 1897 to 1899, the Mark four from 1899 to 1913, the Mark five from 1913 to 1914 and finally the Webley Mark six from 1915 until 1919. The Mark Six was the revolver WRONGLY carried by Actor Michael Caine as Lt. Bromhead in the wonderful Movie “ZULU”.

The early Mark One Revolvers are just never encountered on the market. Company owner Christian Cranmer has only ever owned a few previously. This example is marked with matching serial number 20682 on the frame and barrel. The serial number on the cylinder was unfortunately partly removed when it was shaved, but does not appear to be matching. This is a number towards the middle of the Mark I range, so this revolver was probably produced 1890-1891. As improvements were made before the next model came out, they were indicated with “Stars” after the “mark number”, however this example is still in the original Mark 1 configuration that it was produced in. It is marked:-

WEBLEY
MARK 1
PATENTS

It is also stamped with a N on the steel back strap indicating that it was originally issued to the Royal Navy, and there is a large Broad Arrow on the top strap over the cylinder. The revolver is also stamped ENGLAND on the left side of the barrel, which was required for commercial importation into the U.S. at the time. There are multiple proof marks on the various parts of the revolver, making this an excellent research opportunity. For additional information see: THE WEBLEY SERVICE REVOLVER by Robert Maze, published in 2012, pages 18-21.

In very good service used condition this is a nice example of a rare model, the ANTIQUE WEBLEY MARK ONE .455 cal. Service Revolver (1887-1894). The bore is in good condition, with a bright finish with just a bit of oxidation spotting. The rifling however definitely is faint, so this revolver saw quite a bit of use during service. The revolver has a nice aged blued with the expected wear of age. The grips are the correct “Gutta Percha” composite grips seen on early Webley revolvers, and are in very nice condition, with good checkering. The left grip scale is however missing a chunk on the front bottom. Lanyard loop on this revolver is still present and rotates freely. Cylinder lock up is tight, and the action is smooth. There is a bit of play in the mechanics, as expected from a revolver that saw much use.

Like many imported Webley Revolvers, this has had the cylinder shaved to accept .45ACP in half or full moon clips, as well as .45 Auto Rim, as a way of extending useful life when imported into the U.S. as .455 Webley was scarce. PLEASE NOTE: .45ACP/Auto Rim are far more powerful cartridges than the .455 Webley, and are not the cartridges the revolver is designed for. This revolver is being sold for antique purposes only, and we do not recommend that it be fired, especially with .45ACP/Auto Rim cartridges. Use of .45ACP/Auto Rim in Webley revolvers has resulted in many damaged or destroyed examples in the field.

A very nice example of a famous service revolver. Fully cleaned and ready to Display.

Specifications: 

Year of Manufacture: circa 1890-1891
Caliber:  .455 Webley Mk II / Modified to accept .45ACP Half Moon Clips
Ammunition Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Overall Length: 9 1/4 inches
Barrel Length: 4 inches
Action: External Hammer Double/Single Action
Feed System: 6 Shot Revolver