Was excited to stag this piece of Webley History. Have been looking for a Webley Service on this side of the ocean for years actually saw one last month for $1600! which I let pass. This Mark 1 came up and the more I researched the more I wanted it. I could see it retained a lot of the original bluing but it needed some TLC. Rust spots to be removed and white paint on the stock. Spent a day carefully cleaning it making sure I retained all the originality. So many years of crud but underneath was a awesome rifle. This morning a final touch up and then fired pellets through it. No Chrony yet but it hit the backstop with authority! Ironically I received my Christopher Thrale book today. Great reading and it seems my example is a early one that seems not to follow all the rules. But his book contains many examples of this. I pictured my copy of the Stoeger 1934 Catalog where this rifle was advertised along with the New Mark 2 Service. This was the height of the depression and I’m sure there was old stock still on the selves? This gun may have come through them but hard to ever really know?
Here is the photo shoot:
https://imgur.com/a/NmqeAlR
Handling this rifle you just feel the quality of materials and workmanship, probably second to none? My prewar Diana is right there as well. Finished better than the BSA Standards of the time but not quite as excellent a working rifle? Don’t underestimate the coolness of it being a short carbine, not appreciated in just pictures?
Look at the difference in the stock, no sanding just slow “loving” crud removal and wax.