Webley & Scott Mark I MKI MK I .455 4″ SA/DA Revolver MFD 1890-1894 Antique
SOLD FOR: $2450
LSB#: 211230CD01
Make: P. Webley & Son
Model: Mark I Service Revolver
Serial Number: 29172
Year of Manufacture: 1890-1894
Caliber: .455 Webley
Action Type: Single or Double Action Top Break Revolver with Left Side Thumb Release
Markings: The left side of the frame below the cylinder is marked “WEBLEY / MARK I / PATENTS” next to a star. The underside front face of the barrel, the bottom of the frame, and the cylinder are marked “29172”. The top of the backstrap is marked “31900”. The left side of the top strap is marked with several British proof marks, “2”, and “00”. The right side of the barrel is marked “a1115”. There are British martial and commercial proofs as well as broad arrows on most parts.
Barrel Length: 4″
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade integral to the barrel rib. The rear sight is a notch integral to the barrel latch.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered black hard rubber. There is a lanyard ring in the bottom of the grip. The grips have some scattered nicks, scuffs, and scratches on the smooth borders. The checkering is generally sharp. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in about Fine condition as Antique.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is slightly bright and the rifling is worn but visible. There is scattered erosion and light pitting.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 40% of its metal finish. The leading edges show thinning and light pitting. The leading edges have thinned considerably and have little nick and dings. There is light surface erosion throughout. Several areas show a mottled patina including the grip straps, the top strap, and the top of the rib. There are some scattered nicks, dings, and scratches throughout. The action shows operational wear. The cylinder shows a distinct turnline. The markings are generally clear, some are poorly struck. Overall, his handgun rates in about Very Good-Fine condition as Antique.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The barrel locks up with slight play to the frame. The cylinder locks up with barely perceptible play on each chamber when the trigger is depressed. The double-action trigger is smooth. The single-action trigger pull is crisp. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.
Our Assessment: P. Webley and Son received their first contract to produce the hinged frame Mark I revolver for the British Government in 1890. From lessons learned with this revolver and from their W.G. line of commercial revolvers, continual improvement in the design occurred, finally evolving into the Mark VI in 1916. About 35,000 of the Mark I revolvers were produced for the British government between 1890 and 1894, including this example. The revolver is in about Very Good-Fine condition as Antique with about 40% of its blue finish remaining. The mechanics are strong. This revolver probably has quite a history if it could be told. It has some peculiar markings, one being the star on the left side of the frame and the other being the “a” prefix number on the right side of the barrel. We speculate that the star could be an Isreali marking and the number on the barrel could be an inventory marking. We couldn’t find any concrete information to confirm this. This revolver should be of interest to collectors of military weapons, especially those interested in British service weapons. Please see our photos and good luck!