Webley "W.S." Army Model Information Requested

[Hammerhead]

I recently acquired this pistol and haven't been able to learn much about this model out on the net. It may be for sale in the future once I am comfortable with what I have. Any valuation you can provide would also be helpful. Thanks in advance for your time here.

[Hammerhead]

Also received this ammo and cartridge case with it.

[MikB]

Extremely nice revolver.

 

I could stand corrected, but suspect that the WS Army Model was essentially the commercial forerunner of the Mk.VI, sold as private purchase before WW1 and early on in the war until the contract for the Mk.VI superseded it.

 

Yours appears to have collected mods, ammunition and accessories from all over, so the story's not likely to be simple.

 

The mod is the grip, which looks like Goncalo Alves wood, popular with US pistolsmiths, as is the knurled nut brass retainer - I think the original was vulcanised hard rubber.

 

There is usually a broad-slotted retaining screw through the tag-end of the component secured by the pivot axis screw (don't know its official name) - most clearly seen in pic 8, but there's no tapped hole in the lower frame for it. Puzzling - if the component rotates, won't the ejector trip angle vary?

 

The ammunition is mostly 1942 Mk.VI jacketed ball, manufactured in Brisbane, Queensland. Some have said it wasn't as accurate as the lead Mk.II ball it replaced.

 

There are also a few rounds of Mk.IV or V ball - flatnosed - or commercial equivalent, and at least one round from Remington/Union Metallic Cartridge.

 

I don't know anything about the pouch other than what's obvious from the photos. It does look as if it was designed or modded to take 3 cylinders full for a .45 six-shooter.

Edited 11 July , 2018 by MikB

[reese williams]

Post your questions here https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/britishmilitariaforums/  on the British Military Handguns. One of the frequent participants there has authored a couple of books on commercial Webleys. You can also contact Arms Research. For a fee they can check the Webley sales records and possibly give you some history on your specific pistol.

[Hammerhead]

15 hours ago, MikB said:

Extremely nice revolver.

 

I could stand corrected, but suspect that the WS Army Model was essentially the commercial forerunner of the Mk.VI, sold as private purchase before WW1 and early on in the war until the contract for the Mk.VI superseded it.

 

Yours appears to have collected mods, ammunition and accessories from all over, so the story's not likely to be simple.

 

The mod is the grip, which looks like Goncalo Alves wood, popular with US pistolsmiths, as is the knurled nut brass retainer - I think the original was vulcanised hard rubber.

 

There is usually a broad-slotted retaining screw through the tag-end of the component secured by the pivot axis screw (don't know its official name) - most clearly seen in pic 8, but there's no tapped hole in the lower frame for it. Puzzling - if the component rotates, won't the ejector trip angle vary?

 

The ammunition is mostly 1942 Mk.VI jacketed ball, manufactured in Brisbane, Queensland. Some have said it wasn't as accurate as the lead Mk.II ball it replaced.

 

There are also a few rounds of Mk.IV or V ball - flatnosed - or commercial equivalent, and at least one round from Remington/Union Metallic Cartridge.

 

I don't know anything about the pouch other than what's obvious from the photos. It does look as if it was designed or modded to take 3 cylinders full for a .45 six-shooter.

Thanks MikB,

On another forum a member thought it might have been  produced in the 1890's. Does that jive with the mk. VI ?

13 hours ago, reese williams said:

Post your questions here https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/britishmilitariaforums/  on the British Military Handguns. One of the frequent participants there has authored a couple of books on commercial Webleys. You can also contact Arms Research. For a fee they can check the Webley sales records and possibly give you some history on your specific pistol.

Thanks Reese,

 

I'll try to get that accomplished tomorrow.

[MikB]

8 hours ago, Hammerhead said:

Thanks MikB,

On another forum a member thought it might have been  produced in the 1890's. Does that jive with the mk. VI ?

Thanks Reese,

 

There's a "W&S" winged bullet marking. Webley and Scott didn't merge till 1897. I'd think closer to 1910 for this one, but again, I could stand corrected.

[calibre792x57.y]

According to 'Webley Revolvers' by Bruce and Reinhart,   the Webley W.S. New Army Model was launched in 1902 as an alternative to the W.G. and Mk IV  revolvers.  Essentially it was based on the MkIV with a restyled frame to give a better grip.  Mechanically the parts were interchangeable.  The standard barrel length was 6 inches, but alternatives became available later.  It was advertised by the Navy and Army Co-operative Stores in 1905 at 91 shillings compared with 85 shillings for the MkIV.  The 'Army' Model had vulcanite grips but the 'Target' version with a longer barrel had chequered walnut grips.  Interestingly Bruce and Reinhart states that in Serials between 134,000 - 135,000 the screw holding the cam lever in position was not always present.  Hope this info is useful.  Cheers- S.W.

Edited 19 July , 2018 by calibre792x57.y
correct spelling!

[Hammerhead]

Thanks S.W. Wish it had the original vulcanite grips!

 

Anyone want to venture as to the valuation?

[Hammerhead]

On 7/11/2018 at 5:39 AM, reese williams said:

Post your questions here https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/britishmilitariaforums/  on the British Military Handguns. One of the frequent participants there has authored a couple of books on commercial Webleys. You can also contact Arms Research. For a fee they can check the Webley sales records and possibly give you some history on your specific pistol.

Reese, 

Been on tapatalk for a week and not 1 comment.

[reese williams]

I too was disappointed by the response you got. I had expected better.