What Pythons looked like in rhe 1890's
- Thread starter lewwallace
- Start date
45 Dragoon
New member
I have this,
1917, the last of the big breed.
Truly a "man's handgun" not because of the recoil, or even really its size, but because it takes a man's hand strength to open it, or yard back the hammer!
And DA? That takes the proverbial three men, AND a boy!
Although not as bad as some Nagants I have seen. 
To me, its Alan Quartermain and the lost city of XXXX etc.
When I wield it, I feel able to stop charging lions and have much influence over a half dozen askarais...hehehe
But when I shoot it, it just kind of goes ..."pop"....its not even up to full .45ACP you know...
The .45 Colt loaded full doesn't go "pop", its more KA-POW!, which I find more satisfying, and possibly up to the task of stopping a lion, although I constantly endeavor to avoid situations where I might have to TRY...
1917, the last of the big breed.
Truly a "man's handgun" not because of the recoil, or even really its size, but because it takes a man's hand strength to open it, or yard back the hammer!
And DA? That takes the proverbial three men, AND a boy!
Although not as bad as some Nagants I have seen. To me, its Alan Quartermain and the lost city of XXXX etc.
When I wield it, I feel able to stop charging lions and have much influence over a half dozen askarais...hehehe
But when I shoot it, it just kind of goes ..."pop"....its not even up to full .45ACP you know...
The .45 Colt loaded full doesn't go "pop", its more KA-POW!, which I find more satisfying, and possibly up to the task of stopping a lion, although I constantly endeavor to avoid situations where I might have to TRY...
Aguila Blanca
Staff
To me those old Webleys (and many other handguns from that era and from t'other side of the great pond) bring to mind the expression "A camel is a horse that was designed by a committee."
In a word: "Ugly."
In a word: "Ugly."
Hi, 44 AMP,
If your Mk VI is that hard to operate, there must be something wrong. I have several Webleys, including various .455's, Mk IV* .38's, and RIC models; none have extremely heavy pulls, nowhere near as hard as a Colt Model 1878 (Double Action Army).
*The Webley Mk IV, not the military Mk IV, which I do not have.
Jim
If your Mk VI is that hard to operate, there must be something wrong. I have several Webleys, including various .455's, Mk IV* .38's, and RIC models; none have extremely heavy pulls, nowhere near as hard as a Colt Model 1878 (Double Action Army).
*The Webley Mk IV, not the military Mk IV, which I do not have.
Jim
FrankenMauser
New member
Absolutely.
But it's a good ugly.
James, there is nothing wrong with my Webley, and I am guilty of overstating the case a bit. But, compared to contemporary S&W or Colts I have tried, it definitely take more effort. Just stout English springs and a different design philosophy is all.
I once had a Browning Hi Power, 70s commercial gun, that needed 3 men and a boy to pull the trigger (my opinion) and there was nothing "wrong" with it, either, other than the fact that it wasn't as good as it could have been.
I once had a Browning Hi Power, 70s commercial gun, that needed 3 men and a boy to pull the trigger (my opinion) and there was nothing "wrong" with it, either, other than the fact that it wasn't as good as it could have been.
lewwallace
New member
45 Dragoon
New member
Ok, I'm throwing in my vote for 1890's Python: Swiss Model 1882 - Puts the Webley to shame in terms of fit, finish and precision. I looked for a good example on Gunbroker, but they are getting harder to find. I have a really pretty one, though.
Webley is a top-break; The Swiss 1882 is a solid frame. Open it up and you will see how nicely machined the parts are on the 1882. Every part is serial numbered to match the frame. I have a Colt SAA from the same era - it's not nearly as sophisticated as the 1882, and not a double action like the Python. A Colt SAA has that look of a mass produced, assembly-line gun.
Here's a good youtube video of one being fired: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQ3sxImOcjw
Webley is a top-break; The Swiss 1882 is a solid frame. Open it up and you will see how nicely machined the parts are on the 1882. Every part is serial numbered to match the frame. I have a Colt SAA from the same era - it's not nearly as sophisticated as the 1882, and not a double action like the Python. A Colt SAA has that look of a mass produced, assembly-line gun.
Here's a good youtube video of one being fired: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQ3sxImOcjw
Last edited:
lewwallace
New member
1890 Pythons
Skans: Did you not see my last post? Not a top break Webley, and IMO, kinda pretty, kinda like a Colt. Also Webley was making solid frame, double action revolvers before S&W and Colt, 10 yrs prior to the 1877, top break Webley-Pryse.(20 before the MkI) As for finish, almost univerally the WG's were noted as having a finish that was second to none for production guns at that time!
Skans: Did you not see my last post? Not a top break Webley, and IMO, kinda pretty, kinda like a Colt. Also Webley was making solid frame, double action revolvers before S&W and Colt, 10 yrs prior to the 1877, top break Webley-Pryse.(20 before the MkI) As for finish, almost univerally the WG's were noted as having a finish that was second to none for production guns at that time!
Lew, no I didn't see it - thanks for pointing it out! Nice addition. This thread is turning out to be a really interesting read. I'm a big fan of some of the guns from this era. Peggysue's picture might require that I take a few photos of my 1882 and post them here. The clockwork is exposed on the 1882's in a similar manner.
