Webley No.2 Mark1 Problem (Peter?)

[Drill Sergeant]

I have owned this Webley revolver for many years. Peter helped me obtain a front sight screw a little while ago, so I thought it was time to try it out. I purchased some ammo & off to the range I went.

Unfortunately, the firing pin just misses the primer. The double action trigger is absolutely exquisite, but no bang. I am bummed. It does not appear that the firing pin has been shaved, however I guess that it is possible. In any event, it will not fire.

Any ideas how I can remedy this? The firing pin seems to be attached in a way that will make it very difficult to repair, even if I can find one.

Any advice?

Information

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[browningautorifle]

Is it striking the primer at all? Is the firing pin hole out of round? If you showed us we might be able to see it right away...

[Peter Laidler]

You have confused the issue by saying that the firing pin just misses the primer! As BAR says, you'll have to make that much clearer. The firing pin protrusion, with the trigger pressed and in the fired position must be between .040" and .050"

[Drill Sergeant]

Thanks for the response, browningautorifle.

The firing pin does protrude through the firing pin hole, however it leaves no mark on the primer at all. I will try to take photos.

[scoobsean]

Thanks for the response, browningautorifle.

The firing pin does protrude through the firing pin hole, however it leaves no mark on the primer at all. I will try to take photos.

This happened with my Enfield revolver, although I was getting a very light indentation on the primer. Turned out that the main spring needed replacing

[Drill Sergeant]

This happened with my Enfield revolver, although I was getting a very light indentation on the primer. Turned out that the main spring needed replacing

OK scoobsean, appreciate that. I have checked the drawing in the 'stickies', however cannot find where that spring might be. Can you help me to locate it. If that is the problem, I'll try to locate one and change it out.

[browningautorifle]

does protrude through the firing pin hole, however it leaves no mark

Which would suggest need for a new "hammer nose" as S&W call them. A new firing pin as we're saying here... The main spring is the one that drives the hammer. It's located in the butt of the revolver...

Attachment 74624Attachment 74623

[Drill Sergeant]

If the spring were weak wouldn't the hammer move forward with finger pressure against it after the trigger was pulled? This does not happen.

I think the firing pin may have been shaved or reduced somehow. Can the cylinder be moved rearward so contact can be made? I have a photo of the pin through the hols, however can't add it to this PM. All it shows id the pin anyway.

Thanks for your help.

Attachment 74625

[browningautorifle]

Cylinders all have endshake but it shouldn't be much. There are shims available to eliminate that. The hammer nose could have been messed with, this is why we ask for clear close pics...we see a hammer nose but there are measurements as Peter stated... Hard to say about the mainspring from here.

[Peter Laidler]

Re thread 8. The hammer CANNOT be pushed forwards unless it is cocked, hammer goes forwards, finger still holding the trigger rearwards THEN press the hammer forwards using your other hand - or press it forwards on the edge of the bench as we used to do in order to test Firing pin protrusion.

Here's the tests for the mainspring weights. Hammer in the fired (fully forwards position) Weight required to start to move hammer rearwards = 3 to 3.5lbs
Trigger and action at rest position. Barrel held horizontally in leather clad vice jaws. Trigger tester horizontal. Pressure required to complete a complete double action pull-off = 13 to 15 lbs.

A slip gauge .070" must NOT pass across/between the face of the shield and the cylinder. No force must be used for this test. During this test, there must be a gap of between .002" and .018" between the face of the barrel and the cylinder.

I'm sure that I have gone through all this/these tests before!

The old revolvers are really forgiving pistols. MKind you, they were a nightmare to me!

The tip of your firing pin is a bit misshaped but should still fire a cartridge. Any decent blacksmith should be able to anneal, harden and then temper your old mainspring. We used to make them when we were apprentices. We had to leave them up tight in the vice overnight. Mine always failed, so I'm not your man!