Vanity: Webley Mark VI .45 acp

12/22/11 | mylife

[mylife]

Today, I found a Webley Mark VI chambered for 45 acp, in very good to excellent condition.

It was for sale on consignment for $545 I am uncertain as to the date of manufacture (I didnt look it over)

Is this a fair price? I cant stop thinking about it.

[mylife]

[gettinolder]

Christmas gift for yourself?

[Lurker]

I have no idea if it’s fair or not but it would be so cool to own one of those.

[mylife]

I got an Ruger LC9 for that.

I’m just a sucker for classic collectibles and I know if I don’t buy this thing tomorrow, it will be gone.

[tumblindice]

I’ve always liked guns you can break open, like Schofields.
Here’s some comparables: http://www.gunsamerica.com/Search/Category/746/2/Guns/Pistols/Webley-Pistols.htm

Btw, if the freeper whose name I can’t recall but just bought a Ruger LC9 is still looking, I bought a pocket holster from High Noon. They are ready to ship, quick turn around, about %60.00. Nice piece of work.

[MaxMax]

The ring is so you can legally dangle your pistol in public.

I'm not sure I would spend that kind of money for a pistol without personally
inspecting the weapon. My model K S&W has worn parts that are very hard to
find, if at all. The trigger assembly must be taken to a machine shop for
adjustments that cost more than the original replacement part that cannot be found.

I would also check the availability of parts.

[mylife]

I love classic stuff.

[umgud]

GunsAmerica just sold a 1917 Webley in 45acp for $795. I didn’t know they made them in 45acp til I saw your post. I think I’d like to have one.

http://www.gunsamerica.com/939406363/Guns/Pistols/Webley-Pistols/WEBLEY_MK_VI_45_ACP.htm

[LouAvul]

I just checked gunbroker.com and they've got four for sale. One is started at $400 w/reserve not met. The rest are no reserve. One for $699. One for $799. And one for $1150. The last three have no bids. Not a good sign.

I'd say the price for the one you're looking at is fair, but not great. Condition means everything. The picture almost looks like a refinish job. That would detract from its collector value.

[mylife]

Thanks for that info.

I had looked at that gunsamerica page.

[JRandomFreeper]

With firearms, if in doubt. BUY IT.

You can always trade or sell it later.

/johnny

[mylife]

I intend to inspect it and fire it tomorrow if I get decent feedback here.

I may anyway. ☺

[mylife]

I never realized they converted them to 45 acp until today either.

[Parley Baer]

Without seeing the gun in person it is hard to say about the price. However I can tell you it has been re-chambered to 45ACP. They came chambered in .455 Webley. You may or may not be able to use that as a bargaining chip in your purchase. By the way have one that was re-chambered to 45ACP.

[mylife]

That picture is just one I pulled off the web.
Also it is a pic of a .455

[mylife]

I tend to agree.
It’s not like they are making anymore.

[mylife]

How significant is the date of manufacture to the value?

[2111USMC]

Maybe you’re thinking of me.

I recently bought an LC9 for my wife.

We’ve been so busy with work and holiday stuff that we haven’t even gotten to the range with it yet.

Thanks for the tip. I was thinking of a pocket holster that she could use in her purse.

mylife, looks like we’re gonna have to rely on you for the first LC9 range report!

[mylife]

This one is not a refinish.
It has minor holster wear on the barrel.

[Lurker]

THey were originally chambered in.455 Webley. Tens of thousands were rechambered in .45 ACP during WWII to ease pressure on the logistics chain.

[2111USMC]

Neat looking piece.

Are the grips plastic or wood?

[mylife]

I will test it out tomorrow. I would have shot it today but I had stuff I had to get done.
I didn’t get the good deal you got.
You got yours 8% below dealers cost!
I paid 8% above.

I’m impressed with it so far.

[mylife]

Thanks for that info.
I kinda figured as much.

[mylife]

Hard rubber.

[Parley Baer]

I don’t know. It has been awhile since I studied up on the Webleys. Like anything else the rarity, condition and demand will be the factors in determining the price. As stated above you can look on websites such as www.gunbroker.com and see what the going rate is.

[PeaceBeWithYou]

You need to research it. I don’t think converted Webley’s can handle the factory ACP loads, so it would be a handloader’s special. Also, conversions tend to destroy the collector value.

[omega4179]

those are collectible now.

[mylife]

They were converted by webley at the factory.

Conversion is probably the wrong word.
they were produced in .45 acp at the factory, thought the original design was .455

[mylife]

That is my hope.

[omega4179]

britishmilitariaforums.yuku.com/topic/9296/CAUTION—455-REVOLVERS-ALTERED—SHOOT-45-ACP—45-Auto-Rim#.TvP-8zJZ40k

[Lurker]

Actually these were converted specifically for use with mil-spec .45 ammo and were for war time use. They are fairly collectible and from what I’ve heard are good shooters.

Ironically enough so many of them were converted in this fashion that if you run across on in the original .455 they command a pretty nice premium.

[mylife]

Dude! You are making me sad!

[Octar]

Thanks for the tip. I was thinking of a pocket holster that she could use in her purse.

Don't let her keep her gun in her purse. That's the first thing the bum will grab away from her. My wife carries her LC9 or her Walther in her pocket. Hope this helps.

[mylife]

Apparently that is the only documented case on the web

http://www.surplusrifleforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=74&t=101007

[calex59]

I owned one of these when I was young and dumb. I had the half moon clips you need in order to fire the .45 ACP round in the revolver. I was stupid and sold it. It was a great gun and very accurate, heavy and hard to conceal but it was a great gun. I wish I had kept it. I have no idea what one would go for now.

[2111USMC]

The Webley revolver went through a number of changes, culminating in the Mk VI, which was in production between 1915 and 1923. The large .455 Webly revolvers were retired in 1947, although the Webley Mk IV .38/200 remained in service until 1963 alongside the Enfield No. 2 Mk I revolver. Commercial versions of all Webley service revolvers were also sold to the civilian market, along with a number of similar designs (such as the Webley-Government and Webley-Wilkinson) that were not officially adopted for service, but were nonetheless purchased privately by military officers.

[central_va]

If you don't know what this is you are about to find out.

[mylife]

That is exactly what this is.

[Billy Dixon]

After looking in my Blue Book of Firearms Values,1.Webley never made a MKVI of any other service revolver in 45ACP, that one has been worked over by some gun butcher to shoot 45 ACP in 1/2 moon clips. 2.The original caliber was 455 Webley MKII, you have to shoot low power 45 ACP ammo ,the stuff you get over the counter can damage the gun. 3.Needless to say the collector value is gone and it's worth between $100-250 at the most. Unless you want a shooter and are willing to or have someone else reload low power ammo this isn't a good deal. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news

[mylife]

I know.

[mylife]

You are making me sad, but I appreciate the information.

[mylife]

You are making me sad, but I appreciate the information.

[mylife]

Looks like I will let this one go.
A shame.

[wjcsux]

I love classic stuff.
Same here. I like S&W N and K frame revolvers, Browning High-Powers, Colt SAA and of course the 1911. Too bad I lost all of them in a tragic boating accident.

[mylife]

I appreciate the wealth of knowledge here on FR.
FReepers are the best!

[mylife]

Damned water craft!

[Billy Dixon]

If you can get it for $250 or under it would be a fair deal.
Unaltered guns are valued between $600 and $200 depending on condition and conversion to 45 reduces this by half. I'd wait for one that's in as-issued condition personally. 455 webley(or eley or colt same ammo different name)is available from fiocchi or hornady but isn't cheap.BTW the gun was made sometime 1914-1919

[Monterrosa-24]

Condition is everything. Cheek for pitting and bore wear. I think you'll have a hard time finding another decent one at a better price. The market sets the price and lately demand has been high on cool older guns.

If I bought it I would use it as a shooter with 200 grain SWC lead reloads pushing about 830 fps. I would try some factory hardball in it too even though for liability purposes some do not recommend that. Just don't shoot too much fmj. It is a HD revolver but don't try any proof loads.

[mamelukesabre]

THAT IS COOL!

I WANT ONE!

[PzLdr]

Does it require moon clips to handle the ammo?