Background info. on Webley MkIV .455

[Oscar Foxtrot]

Hi all,

My first post on the site, so I hope I've got the right forum...

I have a Webley Mk IV .455, serial 89886, which I inherited from my father and which he got, well, I don't really know, but it sounds like it "fell off a truck" when he was in service in WWII.

For various reasons I, regrettably, need to sell it but, before I do so, I'd like to try to get some more information if possible on it: what age it is, who it was originally sold to, and anything else that may be helpful in putting a selling price on it. It has been modified to take the more modern bullets.

I'll be very pleased to get any guidance that I can from the experts.

One slightly blurred photo attached to this post.

Thanks in advance.

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[Gil Boyd]

Probably a 1915 model from the markings. A look on the other side would be helpful?
Do all the serial numbers match and are there any crossed out WD or QP markings with the crows foot centre?

[green]

Lowest known Mk IV serial number is 77503 dated 1899. Between 1899 and 1904 36756 MkIVs were delivered so your arm most likely was made 1900-01.

[oldpaul]

How is it modified to take more modern bullets? The cylinder doesn't seemed to have been shaved to accommodate .45ACP as the serial number is fully visible. Very nice condition. Tom

[Oscar Foxtrot]

Thanks for the replies.

To answer your questions:

> A look on the other side would be helpful?
I have attached a couple more photos.

> Do all the serial numbers match and are there any crossed out WD or QP markings with the crows foot centre?
The serial numbers all match: cylinder, under the barrel, on the underside of the body. I don't know how to "read" the markings, hopefully you'll be able to see from the added photos.

> How is it modified to take more modern bullets?
Now I'm slightly embarrassed because I can't really answer that: I don't have the revolver with me right now, so I can't go and have a closer look. Thinking about it, I remember that it has two half-circle clips that you use when you load it. Does this make sense? I have some ammunition with me, and it has "Dominion .455 Colt" on it. Does this help?

> Probably a 1915 model from the markings.
> your arm most likely was made 1900-01.
Big difference in age, do the new photos help to narrow this down?

And then there's the question of value: any ideas, or any suggestions where I can look or enquire myself?

Thanks again all!

[Oscar Foxtrot]

> A look on the other side would be helpful?
I've added a couple more photos which may be useful. There don't seem to be any markings on the RHS.

> Do all the serial numbers match and are there any crossed out WD or QP markings with the crows foot centre?
Yes, the serial numbers all match. I don't know how to "read" the markings: does the new, close up photo help?

> How is it modified to take more modern bullets?
This is a bit embarrassing because, now that I think about it, the "modification" is a couple of semi-circular clips which you use to hold the rounds when you load it. But, the problem is, I don't actually have the revolver with me in Sydney right now, so I can't just go and have a look at it.

I do have some rounds with me which have "Dominion .455 Colt" stamped on the bottom of them.

> Very nice condition.
Probably not fired that much, and the last time I fired it was in the late 70's.

> Probably a 1915 model from the markings.
> your arm most likely was made 1900-01
A fairly big age difference: does the new photo with the markings help to narrow this down?

And then there's still the issue of the value: any ideas on that or where I could go to check recent sales etc.?

Thanks very much again for the help.

[Oscar Foxtrot]

> A look on the other side would be helpful?
I've added a couple more photos which may be useful. There don't seem to be any markings on the RHS.

> Do all the serial numbers match and are there any crossed out WD or QP markings with the crows foot centre?
Yes, the serial numbers all match. I don't know how to "read" the markings: does the new, close up photo help?

> How is it modified to take more modern bullets?
This is a bit embarrassing because, now that I think about it, the "modification" is a couple of semi-circular clips which you use to hold the rounds when you load it. But, the problem is, I don't actually have the revolver with me in Sydney right now, so I can't just go and have a look at it.

I do have some rounds with me which have "Dominion .455 Colt" stamped on the bottom of them.

> Very nice condition.
Probably never fired that much, and the last time I fired it was in the late 70's.

> Probably a 1915 model from the markings.
> your arm most likely was made 1900-01
A fairly big age difference: do the new photos with the markings help to narrow this down?

And then there's still the issue of the value: any ideas on that or where I could go to check recent sales etc.?

Thanks very much again for the help.

[Oscar Foxtrot]

> A look on the other side would be helpful?
I've added a couple more photos which may be useful. There don't seem to be any markings on the RHS.

> Do all the serial numbers match and are there any crossed out WD or QP markings with the crows foot centre?
Yes, the serial numbers all match. I don't know how to "read" the markings: does the new, close up photo help?

> How is it modified to take more modern bullets?
This is a bit embarrassing because, now that I think about it, the "modification" is a couple of semi-circular clips which you use to hold the rounds when you load it. But, the problem is, I don't actually have the revolver with me in Sydney right now, so I can't just go and have a look at it.

I do have some rounds with me which have "Dominion .455 Colt" stamped on the bottom of them.

> Very nice condition.
Probably never fired that much, and the last time I fired it was in the late 70's.

> Probably a 1915 model from the markings.
> your arm most likely was made 1900-01
A fairly big age difference: do the new photos with the markings help to narrow this down?

And then there's still the issue of the value: any ideas on that or where I could go to check recent sales etc.?

Thanks very much again for the help.

[Oscar Foxtrot]

> A look on the other side would be helpful?
I've tried a few times to add a couple more close-up photos but it just doesn't seem to want to work. I'll try one more time. There don't seem to be any markings on the RHS.

> Do all the serial numbers match and are there any crossed out WD or QP markings with the crows foot centre?
Yes, the serial numbers all match. I don't know how to "read" the markings but I don't see why crossed out marks.

> How is it modified to take more modern bullets?
This is a bit embarrassing because, now that I think about it, the "modification" is a couple of semi-circular clips which you use to hold the rounds when you load it. But, the problem is, I don't actually have the revolver with me in Sydney right now, so I can't just go and have a look at it.

I do have some rounds with me which have "Dominion .455 Colt" stamped on the bottom of them.

> Very nice condition.
Probably never fired that much, and the last time I fired it was in the late 70's.

> Probably a 1915 model from the markings.
> your arm most likely was made 1900-01
A fairly big age difference: is there a way to narrow this down?

And then there's still the issue of the value: any ideas on that or where I could go to check recent sales etc.?

Thanks very much again for the help.

[Gil Boyd]

Green,
has the serial number batches there, but I think this like many, has been made up from other dated parts, just a feeling in my water as I look at that one solitary photo supplied, so will stick at 1915 ish for what its worth is a totally differnt kettle of fish.
Confirmed calibre, does it still shoot.............£450 ish