WWI Webley & Scott Mark VI .455 6″ Single/Double-Action Revolver, 1915 C&R

SOLD FOR: $1,475.00

LSB#: WY250311SR001

Make: Webley & Scott

Model: Mark VI 

Serial#: 175312

Year of Manufacture: 1915, C&R 

Caliber: .455 Webley

Action Type: Single and Double-Action Top-Break Revolver with an Ejector 

Barrel Length: 6”

Sights/ Optics: The front sight is a blade screw-secured to a slot integral to the barrel at the muzzle. The rear sight is a “V” notch integral to the barrel latch. 

Stock Configuration & Condition/ Grip: The grip panels are two piece checkered black hard rubber with smooth borders. The lanyard ring is present on the butt of the grip. The grips have even light handling wear with some scattered minor scuffing. There are no chips or cracks. The checkering is well defined. Overall, the grips are in Very Good-plus condition. 

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality: Original, serial marked parts are matching.

Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is infrequent minor erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates about 9 out of 10.

Overall Condition: The revolver retains about 75% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There is light wear along the barrel, wear around the outside of the cylinder, and handling wear in the grip areas. There is scattered minor oxidation, mostly in the worn areas. There are some light nicks, scuffs, and scratches. The action shows operational wear. Overall, the revolver is in Very Good condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We have not fired this revolver. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements. 

Box Paperwork and Accessories: Included is a 1944 dated Boyt US M1916 holster (not correct for this revolver).

Our Assessment: This is a Webley & Scott manufactured Mk VI double-action top-break revolver chambered for .455 Webley cartridges. The Webley Mk. VI was the last variant of the iconic handgun to see service chambered for the .455 caliber “Manstopper” cartridge. It was introduced during the First World War, in 1915, and proved itself a durable and stalwart sidearm. Unlike earlier variants of the Webley, the Mk. VI is easily identifiable by its square-butt. It would remain the primary side-arm of the British military until 1928, but continued to see service through WWII and was only retired in 1963, although the unique cartridge made supplying ammunition for the revolver increasingly difficult towards the end of its service life. Many Mk. VI revolvers were ultimately sold off and many merchants ground down the rear end of their cylinders in order to allow the Mk. VI revolvers to chamber .45 ACP.

This particular specimen was made in 1915, at the end of the First World War and still has matching serial numbers on the frame, barrel and cylinder. It has made it through the last 110 years without having the cylinder modified, an increasingly hard thing to find. The revolver shows light wear given its age and service, retaining a nice bore and strong mechanics. This is a solid option for fans of historical firearms. Please see our photos and good luck!  

Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud