Latest Acquisition: .455 Eley/Webley Colt New Service

[imarangemaster]

As I have said before, working at a gunshop has its advantages. A really nice 70%+ finish (no rust) Colt new Service chambered in the .455 cartridge. It has original intact gutta percha grips, 5.5 inch barrel, and original lanyard ring. Bore is bright and crisp. It has two Birmingham (England) proofs. No import marks.

It came in three months ago. I held off because the owner had an unrealistic price ($1,000) on it. The sold gunbroker auction did not come close to that though. After her continuously dropping the price with us, I grabbed it at $700.

I looked up date back then, and if I remember correctly it was made in 1915. According to my English proof sheet, it has the correct proofs.

Its in 10 day Commiefornia jail. I double check date when I go back to work Tuesday. Ordered a repro WW 1 leather Webley holster and ammo pouch $40 for both.. $300 for an original was way too steep!

I have 6 rounds of original .455 MK2 lead ball ammo, and 6 rounds of .455 MK6 Metal Jacket in my collection. I do have dies, 262 grain hollow base conical lead bullets, and 100 rounds of .455 Webley MK2 brass that I will load with either 4.0 grains Bullseye, or 6.0 of Unique. Those are the two factory duplication loads from an old manual I have.

I have been wanting a .455 again, my last being a MK VI I had about 15 years ago when they were affordable. The prices for Webleys now is prohibitive, but this Colt will scratch that itch. This will go nicely with my 1920 commercial Colt 1911 and 1896 Mauser Bolo with stock.

[browningautorifle]

Nice catch, yes original holsters are too expensive. Then, the condition could be degraded too not really serviceable. Those guns shoot nicely and we at least needed to reload the .455 as Fiocci was ridiculous price. Pics when it arrives...

[Low & Slow]

Those guns shoot nicely and we at least needed to reload

Yes on both counts from my example.

[imarangemaster]

Thanks. .455 is easy to reload. I have 100 rounds of virgin Starline .455 brass and a few 262 grain, conical, hollow base, .454", moly coated, Bear Creek Supply bullets. (I am ordering more) Steve at Bear Creek makes them specifically for the .455 Webley. They look like the MK2 load when loaded. I also already have some Unique and Bullseye that I load my 44-40 and .44 Colt cowboy action loads with.

[Lee Enfield]

.455 is awesome, if it's handloaded properly.

The New Service is a mans gun, designed for use by cavalry, while the S&W .44 Hand Ejector was designed for use by civilians.

Put on your gauntlet cavalry gloves when you shoot them, and you will understand the difference.

[imarangemaster]

Thanks, I agree about the .455 being awesome. I loved my MK VI Webley. When I had it, all I had was some WW2 surplus MK VI FMJ ammo. It was a blast to shoot. Had to sell it to help fund the family relocating from the Midwest back to California (long story!). I alter had a 4" MK VI Webley, but it had the cylinder faced off for .45 ACP in half moon clips or .45 Auto rim. I loaded .45 Auto Rim for it, but it just was not the same. I am going to do some Bullseye, Unique, Triple 7, and APP loads to see which is good.

[Low & Slow]

I run Unique in darn near everything. A bit dirty, but just seems to work well for all kinds of non-magnum handgun cartridges. Doesn't hurt that I've got a bit of it.

[imarangemaster]

I've been using Unique since about 1994 when I started Cowboy Action Shooting. I've used it for .380/200, .38 Long Colt, .44 Russian, .44 Colt, .44 Special, .38-40, .44-40, .45 Colt, .45 Auto Rim, and .45 Schofield.

[imarangemaster]

Just remembered I have pictures of the Birmingham proof marks on my phone.



Here's a handy British proof sheet:

[Flying10uk]

Does anyone know the history of these WW1 dated Colt revolvers in .455? I'm assuming that it was a British government contract because we couldn't make enough Webley revolvers of our own.

I thought that British officers in WW1 purchased their own revolvers or sometimes did?