Webley Mark III

In late April I posted some pics of the Webley Mark III .38 S&W. Now I've got it and notice some stamps that I know not the meaning.
The top strap has Webley & Scott Ltd.
Birmingham

That I get, but on the cylinder are crowns with BP or BV three time each.
On the frame under the cylinder is a flying bullet with a W&S.
Under the barrel next to the hinge are three crowns marked below each is NP, BP, and BV.
There is also a crown with BV on the frame just above the grip.
I know it's not military.

Is there any info on how to take this pistol apart for cleaning. There are a lot of screws!

Many Thanks!

For the proof marks, NP means Nitro Proof (actually firing the 25-30% overpressure round), BV means View Proof (visually inspecting to make sure the firearm is fine after firing the proof through the firearm), and BP is the Final Proof, which is what it would have received when it was given the all clear for leaving the proofing house. The proofing was also done in the Birmingham proof house.

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Originally Posted by Eaglelord17

For the proof marks, NP means Nitro Proof (actually firing the 25-30% overpressure round), BV means View Proof (visually inspecting to make sure the firearm is fine after firing the proof through the firearm), and BP is the Final Proof, which is what it would have received when it was given the all clear for leaving the proofing house. The proofing was also done in the Birmingham proof house.

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Thanks
I was hoping the BP meant British Police. So it may be private or police issue?
The revolver is in very good shape.
I have some 148gr Remington target ammo to start, but plan to reload 200gr .361. I have a bit of W231, but pounds of Tightgroup. I came across only one load for Tightgroup and that was 1.7gr. I know the NP does not mean I can exceed normal. I have been reloading a long, long time, but never for anything older than me. A top break at that.

You can use starting loads out of the book and you should be safe. They take into account older firearms...use lead bullets of course. Factory ammo should be OK too, lead or jackets. They also take into account older guns.

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Originally Posted by 25-5

Thanks
I was hoping the BP meant British Police. So it may be private or police issue?
The revolver is in very good shape.

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I don't really know to much about these revolvers, so I wouldn't be able to tell you. I just know the proof mark has absolutely nothing to do with who it was issued to/bought by.

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Originally Posted by browningautorifle

You can use starting loads out of the book and you should be safe. They take into account older firearms...use lead bullets of course. Factory ammo should be OK too, lead or jackets. They also take into account older guns.

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Thanks Jim.
Not my first rodeo, just the first time I drew this bull. :D My Hornady bible has no info and the 48th Lyman only goes to 160gr. I can't find the W231 info I saw either. Why I was worried about using up my W231 was silly on my part. We are only talking about around 2gr. Do you have W231 info?

---------- Post added at 07:51 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:45 PM ----------

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Originally Posted by Eaglelord17

I don't really know to much about these revolvers, so I wouldn't be able to tell you. I just know the proof mark has absolutely nothing to do with who it was issued to/bought by.

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Hey. It was good info. I had no idea what the stamps meant. Thanks.

Check out the source it's self... Set your sights on pistol reloading data | Hodgdon Reloading

It only talks about the 145 gr bullets...

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Originally Posted by 25-5

Is there any info on how to take this pistol apart for cleaning. There are a lot of screws!

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My advice is "Don't take it apart, unless you really have to."

Ian Skennerton's Small Arms Identification Series guide to the Webley Mk VI might be of some assistance, though, if you're determined to take it apart - the Mk III .38 was basically a "pocket" version of the large-frame Mk VI.

I could tell you how to field strip the pistol sufficient to clean it but NO further. Maybe someone in the US could come in and explain the basic cylinder removal as my UK Military vocabulary doesn't equate to the US terminology............

But don't venture into the trigger mech............., please!

Those Birmingham Proof marks are pre-1954.

The only stripping needed to clean after firing is to remove the cylinder. With the revolver broken, move that leave to the left of the flying bullet trademark upwards, that will release the cylinder.

They are lovely little revolvers that are essentially scaled-down WGs and so the trigger-cocking action is a delight to use.

Finally, and I hope that I got here quickly enough. They are designed to use 38 S&W NOT 380-200. I would STRONGLY advise against using that load. Stick to 146gn lead loads. (I advise against jacketed as well.)

Thanks to all. Info I needed.
This Mark III was manufactured 1933-1937. I ordered a couple of days ago 200gr .361 bullets That Matt said were for the Mark II. I had read in several posts at other forums that the best accuracy is with the 200gr .361, not 146 gr. Well I shot it this AM for the first time and that's all BS. The 146gr Remington Match did fine. Me not so much.
I think the key here is the .361, not the 200gr. The best measurement I could get off the Rem. was .357. The targets should improve with 146gr .361 bullets. I'll leave the 200gr alone. I did not come here to not listen to your advice.
Getting the cylinder off was what I really needed for proper cleaning. A bit of a PIA with the cylinder on.
I am very pleased with this Mark III. It's built like a little tank. Heavier SA & DA trigger pull than I am accustomed too. Practice will fix that.
I am attaching target pics. 7, 10, 20, & 25 yards respectively.
At 7 yds my first six shots. All are single action although I did pop off 6 DA at 25 yds.

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Originally Posted by 25-5

This Mark III was manufactured 1933-1937. I ordered a couple of days ago 200gr .361 bullets That Matt said were for the Mark II.

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I am afraid that is just just rubbish. The 200gn bullet was designed for the Pistol, Revolver No.2 (or Enfield).

You are correct about getting a proper diameter 38 S&W bullet (.361) and not using a .38 Special bullet (.357). However in addition, due to its huge bearing surface the 200gn bullet is indeed very accurate but in revolvers designed to take it. (See above.)

BTW where did you get the date for your Mk.III? They can usually be dated far more accurately,that is to say to the year.

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Originally Posted by Beerhunter

I am afraid that is just just rubbish. The 200gn bullet was designed for the Pistol, Revolver No.2 (or Enfield).

You are correct about getting a proper diameter 38 S&W bullet (.361) and not using a .38 Special bullet (.357). However in addition, due to its huge bearing surface the 200gn bullet is indeed very accurate but in revolvers designed to take it. (See above.)

BTW where did you get the date for your Mk.III? They can usually be dated far more accurately,that is to say to the year.

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I was searching all over the net for any info and found the Webley Archive site. With this info:

(1) Mark III .38 Revolvers (1925 – 1929), numbers 27800 – 32899
(2) Mark III .38 revolvers (1929-1933) numbers 32900 – 39999
also Mark IV revolvers (1929- 1939) numbers 40000 – 42999
(3) Mark IV .38 revolvers (1940- 1941) numbers 43000 – 49999
also Mark III revolvers (1933- 1937) numbers 50000 – 53499 (53305 is mine) so maybe 1937.
(4) Mark III revolvers (1937- 1948) numbers 53500- 56479)
also Mark IV revolvers (1941- 1942) numbers 60000- 63799

Beerhunter. If you have reloaded these, I have just a couple questions.

Yes I have reloaded for my Mk.III

Answered my own questions by getting two different bullets to load. Matt's 150gr RN .361, and Missouri Bullets 145gr RN .361 with the Hi-Tek coating. The MB does not have a crimp groove, so a light crimp to remove the bell and a bit. I've made some dummies and both bullets look good. I'll start with 2gr W231 and up to 2.2gr.
The MB with the Hi-Tek coating are well reviewed and are purported to reduce leading. We'll see next week when I pop some off. BTW the MB's are half the price of Matt's.

I took the Webley to the range to check my reloads of Matt's 150gr .361 & Missouri Bullets 145gr .361 w/Hi-Tek coat. W231 2.2gr & 13yds for both. 3rd pic is the .357 146gr .38 S&W Remington Match at 10 yds. I can't locate the 13yd pic but it was a lot tighter & centered than the pair of .361. I have ordered some of Matt's 147gr .359. I think the .361 is oversized for my Webley 4" barrel. I should have slugged it first.
The Hi-Tek coat is a variable I should have left out for a proper comparison, but it seemed like a good idea.