Webley & Son Mark III 38

[amvet]

I have a Webley revolver that I would like to get some information about if possible. It is on a small frame, at least smaller then I am use to seeing on the 45 caliber guns. The barrel is 3" in length. The sights are fixed with the rear being on the lever. The gun holds 6 rounds. The grip frame seems too short even for a small frame.
The markings on the gun are as follows. On the top of the top strap is " P. Webley & Son, London & Birmingham". On the left side of the top strap is Mark "III" 38. On the left side of the frame just under the cylinder is a bullet with wings. On the right side under the cylinder is 23653 Webley Patents. Under the barrel, just in front of the cylinder on the left side are 2 crowns, one with BP under it and the other with BV. On the back of the grip frame is RIC 672. The cylinder is marked in several places with BV. The cylinder is also marked on the back where you load with 38 and 004. It doesn't seem to be numbered to the gun. I really would appreciate and info I can get on the gun. It seems to be mechanically perfect with about 80% blue. Thanks fellows for any help you can give. [email protected]


amvet
Webley & Son Mark III 38

 

[friscolatchi]

Watson, is that your service revolver? Where did you get that thing? I can't help you with your questions but I would certainly like to comment on your beautiful revolver. Thanks for sharing.

 

[amvet]

The Sherlock Holmes angle is what attracted me to the gun. I know nothing about Webleys. To me a revolver is a S&W or Colt. But this just looked cool! No one at the shop I got it at knew anything about it. Some of the research indicates the proof marks are younger then the gun. I sure would like to find out more.

 

[Jim Watson]

It is the pocket model; British equivalent of a Chief's Special.
Not to be confused with the Mk III .455 service revolver of 1897.

They were in production in the 1930s but I don't know how long before or after.

RIC usually stands for Royal Irish Constabulary. Maybe it was a plainclothesman's revolver in Ireland.

 

[natman]

It is undoubtedly chambered for 38 S&W, which is NOT the same as 38 Special.
Remington and Winchester still load it.

http://www.winchester.com/Products/handgun-ammunition/super-x/lead-round-nose/Pages/X38SWP.aspx


RIC is indeed the usual marking for Royal Irish Constabulary.

 

[Cosmoline]

Neat little revolver, but it's a little late for Holmes. IIRC he carried a much earlier Metropolitan Police in .450 Ely. More of a "bulldog" style revolver with a huge slug at low velocity.

 

[cane]

Ask that question here: http://forums.gunboards.com/forumdisplay.php?56-British-Gun-Pub you will get lots of informed answere.

 

[bannockburn]

amvet

The designation for your Webley revolver was the Mark III .38, also known as the .38 Pocket Revolver, Self-Ejecting. With the 3" barrel it's length was 7" overall and weighed 1 pound, 3 ounces. Available in blue or nickel plated finish, it retailed for 5 Pounds 10 in 1912. The Webley and Scott trademark (the bullet with wings and the letters W&S underneath) was their trademark for commercially made guns. The crown with the letters BP under it is the Birmingham definitive proof mark from the British Proof Rules of 1904. The crown with the letters BV is the Birmingham view mark, also from the same time period. Revolvers such as your Webley were categorized under Class 9, revolving arms and repeating pistols, and required a definitive proof, with one round fired in each chamber. The number 38 probably is for the caliber, but I don't know what the numbers 004 refer to. As Jim Watson stated, the RIC probably stands for the Royal Irish Constabulary and the numbers are its serial number designation to that unit.

 

[amvet]

Gentlemen, thank you all very much.

amvet

 

[Deaf Smith]

I'd be curious as to how much pressure the 'proof' round in that .38 S&W gave.

Always felt the old round was underloaded for such as a swing out cylinder revolver or a high quailty tough top break like the Webley.

Deaf