Help With Webley Purchase

[Mikesm44]

Hello. I am buying an Enfield from a local acquaintance and he mentioned that he has a Webley in .455 that has been shaved and it the hammer will not cock with the trigger or on it's own. He is asking $300 for it. I am tempted to take both. I have another Webley that I shoot and I was thinking it might be good to have an extra for parts alone, but I do not know what might cause such malfunction. Do you think it is worth it? I am hoping buying both he will come down a little on the price as well. Thank you.


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[jmoore]

If you can get it for cheap then I reckon there may be a few good parts. If that's not an annular shadow in the bore but a bulge then it's downright pitiful.

[Patrick Chadwick]

If that's not an annular shadow in the bore but a bulge then it's downright pitiful.

Exterior condition is poor. If that is indeed a bulge, there is still 4-1/2" of good bore in front of it, so it may well shoot satisfactorily - after repair. But a bulge slashes the value down to...??? Value is parts, a bonus if it shoots OK. But it doesn't shoot OK - not cocking and cylinder shaved. So which parts would actually be useful? $300 seems way, way too much for me. More like $100 with a following wind.

Pass on this one.

---------- Post added at 12:49 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:41 PM ----------

but I do not know what might cause such malfunction.

Lousy experience shows that the most likely explanation is that the trigger/sear setup is worn to uselessness or has been Bubba-ed. The latter is made even more likely by the fudging that has been applied to add weight under the grips. In fact, the condition of the grips looks much better than the rest, and they may well be replacements made in the course of "improvement". But how much are the grips worth?

On second thoughts - definitely pass.

[Peter Laidler]

As we used to say in Australia, it's as rough as guts! Tell the owner exactly what it is - total crap and what it's not - worth $300! A clapped revolver is always a good project gun. To strip and see exactly what is wrong and try to set it up again, correctly. With a bulged barrel, it probably ain't goin' nowhere again. If you can and have the milling machine and wherewithall you could skeletonise it as per the pistol in this thread somewhere. A year long project, sure. But a GOOD piece at the end of it.

After all, that's how apprentices were trained in those bad old days. And you'll have loads of fun getting the screws that you'll need or re-bushing and threading where they're missing and unobtainable. But hey, it ain't goin' nowhere. Just my 2c's worth.

I have a feeling in my bones that these grips came in three widths. Marked S for small and L for large. Certainly they were so marked for our big Webley No5 1 1/2" signal/riot pistols which had interchangeable grips - much to my advantage several years ago!

[browningautorifle]

I agree with Peter and Patrick, don't do it. Not at all.

[Mikesm44]

Well thanks for the advice. I will pick up the Enfield though for sure.

Attachment 49018 for $200 seemed like a great deal.

For my own edification, can you please be more specific about where the bulge is? I personally do not see a bulge in the barrel but you guys have probably have a better trained eye than mine.

[emmagee1917]

Picture in your mind a pillow under a bed blanket. Now look at the first picture. Look at the flat side of the barrel. Follow the upper line of the flat till it curves up towards the reciever . Between that curve and the very top shown edge of the barrel , you can see the pillow . That is a bulge.
Chris

[Mikesm44]

Oh, yes I see it now. Good to know.

[sakorick]

No way, no way, no way! Not worth 10 dollars IMHO. Find a nice one. Regards, Rick.

[jmoore]

Not worth 10 dollars IMHO

The hammer is probably worth US$10.

The grips, if original, more! The grip screw would be bonus. Parts is parts. If they happen to be flying formation in the shape of a revolver then they're easier to sort. The question being how many good parts are in the formation?