Webley & Scott Mark VI .455 Webley / .45 ACP 6″ Revolver C&R, John Taffin
SOLD FOR: $1,225.00
LSB#: LSB260521SS051
Make: Webley & Scott
Model: Mark VI
Serial Number: 443979
Year of Manufacture: Circa 1918 / C&R. The Mark VI was adopted in 1915 and Webley & Scott produced more than 300,000 during the First World War.
Caliber: Originally .455 Webley. The rear of the cylinder has been shaved to permit the use of .45 ACP ammunition with moon clips. A spacer disc is included to restore the cylinder spacing for use with .455 Webley ammunition.
Action Type: Double / Single Action, 6-Shot Top-Break Revolver with Automatic Extraction
Markings: The revolver has standard Webley Mark VI manufacturer, model, patent, serial and British proof/inspection markings. The serial number is “443979”.
Barrel Length: 6″
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade pinned to a boss on the barrel. The rear sight is a V-notch integral to the top-break latch.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered polymer panels. The panels show operational and handling wear with smoothing to the checkering. There are no major defects noted. Overall, the grips are in Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright and the rifling is sharp. There is fouling throughout the bore. In the opinion of the writer the bore rates 8/10.
Overall Condition: This revolver retains approximately 50% of its original metal finish. The remaining finish shows thinning and loss from operational and handling wear, with the exposed areas developing age-related patina. The revolver is in Good overall condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The cylinder has been shaved at the rear for use with .45 ACP ammunition and moon clips. A spacer disc is included for use with .455 Webley ammunition. We did not fire this revolver. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This revolver includes a spacer disc for .455 Webley ammunition and a Certificate of Authenticity identifying it as having come from the collection of noted firearms author John Taffin.
Our Assessment: The Webley Mark VI is perhaps the best-known of Britain’s large-frame military service revolvers. Adopted in May 1915 during the First World War, it represented the final development of the .455-caliber Webley service-revolver series and incorporated a rugged square-butt frame, 6″ barrel and automatic extraction system. Webley & Scott manufactured more than 300,000 Mark VI revolvers during World War I, and the design remained in British and Commonwealth service well beyond the First World War.
This example retains approximately 50% of its original finish, has a mostly bright bore with sharp rifling, and its action functions correctly. As is common with Webley Mark VI revolvers imported to the United States, the rear of the cylinder has been shaved to accommodate .45 ACP ammunition with moon clips. The included spacer disc is a useful addition that restores the spacing removed from the cylinder for use with the revolver’s original .455 Webley cartridge. Its provenance from the collection of John Taffin, accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity, adds additional interest for collectors of historic military handguns and firearms associated with prominent gun writers. Please see our photos for a better understanding of the condition and good luck with your bids!-C.M.