Webley 455 - trying to determine value

[gaushell]

one of my dad's old guns. a beautiful nickel plated webley.

i found 213 stamped in three places, but no other serial numbers. please see photos. not sure of model or if i'm just missing the serials somewhere. i also looked inside the grip handles but didn't find anything.

thoughts? recommendations?

 

[Terry G]

First of all, very nice looking Webley. I had one with the ""War Finish". that was converted to fire .45 ACP. Even the light target loads started to loosen it up, so I quit shooting it and sold it to a collector who didn't care about shooting it. It went for $600.00. Yours, I would say, is worth considerably more than that. But I hope this will give you a starting point.

 

[tbob38]

Beautiful looking revolver. Was it refinished? Is it possible that it is a copy? Pakistan comes to mind. Really need a Webley expert with the gun in hand.

 

[mcb66]

Looks like a bumper chrome plated bring home. Very common post WW2. The chrome job pretty much kills collectability. I have never seen a factory plated one. I won't say that they don't exist, but if they do they are EXTREMELY rare. This one however appears to be refinished. Even still, it's worth 300-400 around here.

 

[gaushell]

pretty sure my dad had this since the 60s. He was a police officer. Not sure if he obtained it while in Los Angeles or not though. recs on where one would get it evaluated to sell?

thank you!

 

[Gordon]

Bumper chromed for sure ! But I still like it as it looks like a nice job. I would say if cut for .45aco around $400 retail if still .455 then $100 more (even tho collectability is ruined by the chrome) as a novelty piece, I'd give $400 .

 

[gaushell]

thanks. that's helpful. i need to check the ammo i still have for it as i know it is was dad last shot. will report back. thanks

 

[GunnyUSMC]

There are a few things that will cause the value to go up or down on a Webley.
To a Collector, the original finish in a big factor.
Military issue.
Next would be if the cylinder has been shaved (altered to shoot 45 Auto).
And if the gun is loose are not.

Your gun appears to be a commercial model and has been refinished.
So for a collector of surplus weapons it would not command top dollar.
I would say that value should be from $600 to $750 in today’s market.
Here’s the post I did on the one I picked up about Four years ago.
https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/webley-mark-vi-455.812685/

There are a lot of pics that in my post that will show you where the markings should be.

 

[Monac]

The bright plating makes it difficult to find a buyer except at low prices, to someone who wants one as a shooter or a project. I think it would be very hard to find someone who would pay $500 for it. If a person has so much money that $500 is not very much to them, they probably have enough money to spend more and get an unplated Webley. And if $500 is a lot of money to someone, I don't think they are going to want a gun so hard to resell. Someone who wants a shooter, or a gun to refinish is probably looking for really inexpensive guns.

That is my opinion, and the people above are probably more up to date on the realities of the market. Plus, I am old enough that $500 seems like a lot of money to me, whereas brand new revolvers are very expensive. Probably the best way to get top dollar for a gun like this would be to tap into the national market by selling it on one of the gun auction websites on the internet, but that involves shipping, fees, dealing with FFLs, and so on.

 

[Terry G]

Even with the plating I would think higher than $500.00. Original caliber is a plus, and it's C& R eligible. I would ask higher and not be in a hurry. These old WW I and WW II era gun's have a way of jumping in price.

 

[Monac]

Even with the plating I would think higher than $500.00. Original caliber is a plus, and it's C& R eligible. I would ask higher and not be in a hurry. These old WW I and WW II era gun's have a way of jumping in price.

Is this gun unconverted? Personally, I can't tell from the photos and no one above seems to say.

By the way, I should have thanked the original poster, gaushell, for putting up clear pictures. It makes it much easier to tell him what he wants to know, and it is always good to see classic guns.

 

[gaushell]

Thanks. I'm going to review the ammo tonight to see if he had any 45s or just 455s. will report back. happy to take more photos of any other positions or close ups.

 

[Gordon]

If he had any .455 ammo it is probably NOT shaved . If you give us another high quality phot or two of the gun opened to see the back of the cylinder and the recoil shield ( the plate where the firing pin comes thru) we can probably tell you if it's been shaved and what ammo it uses.because of the narrow gap in picture it may be .455 . Because it has been renickeled or chromed it would sell most probably no more than $500 . Being it was your dad's if at all possible shoot it and love it and give it to your kid that deserves it, thats priceless !

 

[GunnyUSMC]

The cylinder should have a proof mark like in this pic.

 

[gaushell]

Well, i'm afraid it was modified for 45. see attached. and i found speed clips with 45s in them. i guess he must have carried this weapon on the service some too.

 

[gaushell]

On another note - this is his Browning Hi-Power 9. This is the one I grew up shooting too. Sweet gun to me. Probably will not sell, but curious about it's value.

Serial T246081 1968

 

[GunnyUSMC]

Well, i'm afraid it was modified for 45. see attached. and i found speed clips with 45s in them. i guess he must have carried this weapon on the service some too.
View attachment 894466 View attachment 894467

The Webley MKVI was not made to handle the pressure of the 45 ACP. The .455 Webley cartridge in loaded at a lower pressure.
Webleys with unshaven cylinders are very hard to come by, and they command a higher price. You gun with the shaved cylinder, and chromed dose drop the value to around $375 to $450.

 

[Gordon]

He sure liked his chrome ! That is a very desirable T model Hi power from the 60s-early 70s. if you take the grips off if they are original they should be red inside . They did make nickel plated HPs it would need close inspection to tell if it is factory. If in good shape mechanically and factory Nickel you are looking at $2000 value. If it is not factory but works well then up to $1000 for the right person or $700+ or so on Gun broker. Both guns are in high demand but the Hi Power more so.
BTW , although not telling you to do it, many folks have shot many rounds of the lower powered .45 acp loads thru Webley Mark VI like that with no problems if conversion nicely done. The .45 Auto Rim should fit if properly shaved and is loaded to lower pressures pretty close to the final military Webley loads
https://www.outdoorlimited.com/hand...c45ar230-230-grain-lead-round-nose-50-rounds/
. Id keep both guns if they were my dad's . Use Ball ammo (FMJ) in the Browning as the early T models don't usually feed HP or SP that well. Be sure to buy the Mecgar mags which are quite reasonable and work best in those guns
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1371114282

 

[gaushell]

He sure liked his chrome ! That is a very desirable T model Hi power from the 60s-early 70s. if you take the grips off if they are original they should be red inside . They did make nickel plated HPs it would need close inspection to tell if it is factory. If in good shape mechanically and factory Nickel you are looking at $2000 value. If it is not factory but works well then up to $1000 for the right person or $700+ or so on Gun broker. Both guns are in high demand but the Hi Power more so. BTW , although not telling you to do it, many folks have shot many rounds of the lower powered .45 acp loads thru Webley Mark VI like that with no problems if conversion nicely done. The .45 Auto Rim should fit if properly shaved and is loaded to lower pressures pretty close to the final military Webley loads . Id keep both guns if they were my dad's . Use Ball ammo (FMJ) in the Browning as the early T models don't usually feed HP or SP that well. Be sure to buy the Mecgar mags which are quite reasonable and work best in those guns
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1371114282

thanks Gordon. great info. yeah, i keep debating just keeping both. can't imagine letting go of the Hi power - but good to know it's value. I'll take a look tonight inside the grips. and with my dad having 45 rounds, i can't imagine he was dumb about it - it was one of his carry weapons.

amazing group here. thank you. will report back on inside grips

 

[Coyote3855]

I recently purchased an Enfield .455 dated 1923 for $325 OTD. It grades Excellent Condition, Antique Firearms Standards. The Enfield is a Webley clone. It has been shaved, but I've wanted a Webley .455 for years and thought the price was right on this one and close enough for me. Serial number is 9214.

 

[Gordon]

I recently purchased an Enfield .455 dated 1923 for $325 OTD. It grades Excellent Condition, Antique Firearms Standards. The Enfield is a Webley clone. It has been shaved, but I've wanted a Webley .455 for years and thought the price was right on this one and close enough for me. Serial number is 9214.

Didn't know Enfied made .455 webley clones ! Only knew of the .38 Enfields.
I researched it and yes Enfield did clone it "under license" 1923-1926 until sued to stop by Webley for contract default ! And The Govt Enfield arsenal did it again in WW2 out of "war necessity " and got away with it with the common .38 s !

 

[gaushell]

He sure liked his chrome ! That is a very desirable T model Hi power from the 60s-early 70s. if you take the grips off if they are original they should be red inside . They did make nickel plated HPs it would need close inspection to tell if it is factory. If in good shape mechanically and factory Nickel you are looking at $2000 value. If it is not factory but works well then up to $1000 for the right person or $700+ or so on Gun broker. Both guns are in high demand but the Hi Power more so.
BTW , although not telling you to do it, many folks have shot many rounds of the lower powered .45 acp loads thru Webley Mark VI like that with no problems if conversion nicely done. The .45 Auto Rim should fit if properly shaved and is loaded to lower pressures pretty close to the final military Webley loads
https://www.outdoorlimited.com/hand...c45ar230-230-grain-lead-round-nose-50-rounds/
. Id keep both guns if they were my dad's . Use Ball ammo (FMJ) in the Browning as the early T models don't usually feed HP or SP that well. Be sure to buy the Mecgar mags which are quite reasonable and work best in those guns
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1371114282

Red inside. not sure what the markings are.
So how to tell if factory nickel?
Side note, i have original bag for it too.

 

[WestKentucky]

Chrome or not it’s a great looking gun. My personal inclination would be to frame it and display it before I would consider selling, but it’s not my gun so it’s your decision. If you keep it and shoot it then I would reload for it and shoot trailboss for low pressure rounds.

 

[Monac]

Gaushell, even though your gun has been converted to fire 45 ACP, I would suggest that you do not fire any standard power 45 ACP ammunition in it. 45 ACP actually develops considerably more firing chamber pressure than the 455 Eley ammunition this gun was designed for. Many people did fire standard 45 ACP loads in these guns for many years, and there seem to have been few reports of Webleys' bursting (which is odd, because in the gun world world, bad reputations spread like lightning), but nowadays that practice is uniformly recommended against. And the stress of such firing is cumulative, as I understand it.

Just my two cents - your High Power looks to me as if it is chrome plated, not nickel plated. These two finishes differ in color slightly, with bright chrome being a brighter, whiter color than nickel. This can be very difficult to judge from photos, so my opinion is hardly definitive.

 

[Gordon]

Well the HP is probably NOT factory as far as I can find out. Their were 100 C series in 74-75 brought into US and in 1980 thru 82 11,00 polished "silver nickle chrome" were made. There is no record I can find of the coveted T series made in nickle . Yours looks very nice with no rounded edges and the stampings are very clear and crisp wit no copper wash on edges = a very good job. There may have been factory nickel T series guns but I can find no reference on the internet to same