Webley Mk VI .45 ACP Valuation

[Tallinar]

Hello,
I have a Webley Mark VI that was carried by my grandfather during WWII. It's one that had been re-chambered to .45 ACP. The story is that he acquired it from a Canadian Mountie when he was stationed up north prior to being shipped off to Europe.

As far as I can tell, it functions fine. My father and I once loaded up some light .45 Autorim cartridges using lead bullets and Trail Boss to test it out, and it seemed to function fine. Dad had commented that the cylinder felt a tad loose for his comfort, but no imminent concerns. Aside from this, I expect it hadn't been fired since around the 1950's, if not the 40's.

I'd like to establish the relative value of it. From what I can tell by Gunbroker completed auctions, I'm guessing somewhere between $700-900, but I'm not fluent in the Webley world. Any insight would be appreciated.

 

[tmd16556]

They're fun shooters with 45 AR loads. I’ve got a similar one, but refinished and without the cool story. Those numbers look in line with what I saw last year trying to value mine.

 

[mcb]

I bought a 1916 Webley Mark VI identical to the OP's revolver except mine has not been converted to 45 ACP. Mine is in similar or slightly worst cosmetic condition to the OP revolver. In April of 2021 I payed $850.



I felt $850 was a fair deal for this revolver. Its finish is only OK, but in light of it not having been shaved to 45 ACP and the hinge being good and tight $850 was a fair price.

Had this revolver been in exactly the same condition but shaved for 45 ACP I probably would not have been willing to pay much more than $700-$750. JMHO

 

[MikeInOr]

I paid $225 for my 45 ACP hacked Webley in about 1995. Originals without the cylinder shaved are / should be worth more.

I don't know which version Webley I have? Maybe a MK1 or MK2? It is definitely shorter than the ones above but I don't "believe" the barrel has been hacked.

 

[Mosin77]

Just be aware that .45acp is quite a bit hotter than the original .455 load…. More like a proof load, actually, according to what I recall reading. So if you decide to shoot your .45acp shaved Webley, it’s probably best to use down-loaded handloads that more closely approximate .455 pressures.

 

[Carl N. Brown]

"... Dad had commented that the cylinder felt a tad loose for his comfort, ..."

I have a .455 Webley Mark IV cut for AutoRim.
With the hammer down the cylinder is kept from spinning by the small bolt stop cut about halfway up the cylinder.
Mine is loose.
When the hammer is cocked and the trigger is pulled, the cylinder hand forces the long cut at the rear of the cylinder against a projection of the trigger.
The cylinder is held tight then.

 

[RevolvingGarbage]

Looking at the cylinder face of your Mk.VI compared to mine, it sure looks nicer. Your ejector star is thick still. You’re totally certain it was machined for .45ACP/AR? Are there intact serial numbers visible on the side of your cylinder or are bits of the numbers missing?

If it is a conversion, it’s the most subtle I’ve seen yet.

Edited to add:

OP,

Have you tried popping in a .455 to see if it would get set off by the hammer? I would be willing to send you a round of fiocchi .455 to try. A Mk.VI that is either unconverted or so lightly converted as to still have visible serial numbers on the cylinder side and which can chamber and fire .455 still is going to be worth more. Maybe considerably more?

Isn’t yours an Enfield made Mk.VI pattern?
I may have missed the Webley mark in the pictures if its there.

(Looking afterwards, there’s the faintest hint of what looks roughly like the Webley logo but the winged bullet looks totally obliterated, if it was once there.)