webley mk 1 dating?
- Thread starter azdave35
- Start date
First, how certain are you of the identification of the pistol???
I'm no expert, will have to do some research, but if I recall correctly NONE of the early Webleys are safe to shoot with smokeless powder, and I know for a fact that NONE of them, including the last "modern" MK VI should be shot with .45acp ammunition!
They are pretty big guns, leading one to think they are strong guns, but they really aren't. Despite the fact that many (if not most in the US) were cut to take .45acp BRASS when the supply of .455 Webley ammo dried up, they should NOT BE FIRED with .45ACP ammunition!!!!!
Standard GI .45ACP ball is a proof level pressure load for the Webley. DON'T SHOOT IT in a Webley!!!
The guns can be shot using handloads, made in .45acp cases, but loaded to the lower pressures and velocity suitable for the Webley.
I have a Mk VI, dated 1917.
If you have a Webley Mk I, its black powder only, and if I remember right, would have been made in the 1880s or so. Will do some research and see just what I can find.
Again, even though SOMEONE cut it to take .45acp rounds DO NOT SHOOT .45ACP ammo in the gun. EVER.
and, did I mention, don't shoot factory .45ACP???
I'm no expert, will have to do some research, but if I recall correctly NONE of the early Webleys are safe to shoot with smokeless powder, and I know for a fact that NONE of them, including the last "modern" MK VI should be shot with .45acp ammunition!
They are pretty big guns, leading one to think they are strong guns, but they really aren't. Despite the fact that many (if not most in the US) were cut to take .45acp BRASS when the supply of .455 Webley ammo dried up, they should NOT BE FIRED with .45ACP ammunition!!!!!
Standard GI .45ACP ball is a proof level pressure load for the Webley. DON'T SHOOT IT in a Webley!!!
The guns can be shot using handloads, made in .45acp cases, but loaded to the lower pressures and velocity suitable for the Webley.
I have a Mk VI, dated 1917.
If you have a Webley Mk I, its black powder only, and if I remember right, would have been made in the 1880s or so. Will do some research and see just what I can find.
Again, even though SOMEONE cut it to take .45acp rounds DO NOT SHOOT .45ACP ammo in the gun. EVER.
and, did I mention, don't shoot factory .45ACP???
Jim Watson
New member
Webley Mk I was adopted in 1887.
They went smokeless in 1894 with the Mk II Cordite revolver and upgrade of older guns to Mk 1* by installation of a steel breechface.
Mk III had some mechanical changes, Mk IV had better steel.
Mk V had a larger diameter cylinder which was used in upgrade of older guns to Mk I** etc. One might think they had a good reason for that.
Mk VI got a square butt and some simplification for mass production with WWI already under way.
None are strong enough for .45 ACP. If I had one that had been cut, I would load it with the starting load for .45 Auto Rim, or my powderpuff .45 Minor target load.
They went smokeless in 1894 with the Mk II Cordite revolver and upgrade of older guns to Mk 1* by installation of a steel breechface.
Mk III had some mechanical changes, Mk IV had better steel.
Mk V had a larger diameter cylinder which was used in upgrade of older guns to Mk I** etc. One might think they had a good reason for that.
Mk VI got a square butt and some simplification for mass production with WWI already under way.
None are strong enough for .45 ACP. If I had one that had been cut, I would load it with the starting load for .45 Auto Rim, or my powderpuff .45 Minor target load.
Mike Irwin
Staff
Although the Mk Is were "converted" for use with cordite-loaded ammunition, it quickly became evident that even with the modifications the guns quickly became unservicable or even unsafe with smokeless powder.
The Mk Is were, along with the Mk IIs and the few Mk IIIs that made it into service, were all withdrawn because none of them were up to use with cordite-loaded ammo.
The Mk IV, aka the Boer War model, was significantly redesigned and was the first one to be rated for extended use with smokeless ammo.
A Mk I recut to .45 ACP is a damned frightening prospect. There's no way I'd want to fire such a gun.
I'd take Jim's advice one step farther, though...
I'd not fire it with any smokeless powders of any kind.
Black powder only.
The Mk Is were, along with the Mk IIs and the few Mk IIIs that made it into service, were all withdrawn because none of them were up to use with cordite-loaded ammo.
The Mk IV, aka the Boer War model, was significantly redesigned and was the first one to be rated for extended use with smokeless ammo.
A Mk I recut to .45 ACP is a damned frightening prospect. There's no way I'd want to fire such a gun.
I'd take Jim's advice one step farther, though...
I'd not fire it with any smokeless powders of any kind.
Black powder only.
Jim Watson
New member
Yes, black powder Auto Rim would be pretty close to the original load.
You really need to provide more info. Barrel length for starters. However, Pre-1900 Webley records are virtually gone. Assuming it actually is a Mk I. There is some data available for a fee at www.armsresearch.co.uk.
This is almost as good as it gets. http://world.guns.ru/handguns/double-action-revolvers/brit/webley-e.html
This is almost as good as it gets. http://world.guns.ru/handguns/double-action-revolvers/brit/webley-e.html