Webley Junior Engraving.

[Abasmajor]

I understand that the limited engraving to the breechblock of this Webley Junior would have been carried out by apprentices at the factory to conceal minor blemishes introduced during the casting process and this allow the pistols to be sold rather than scrapped. As I’m not aware of any Webley model other than the Junior where this has been the case, I wonder why this practice was confined to the Junior.
Anybody got a Junior with this or similar engraving in that particular area ?



Brian

[ccdjg]

Hi Brian. I assume that this was only a problem with the Junior as all the other models did not have any castings in their construction. These imperfections would not arise with forged components.

Cheers, John

[Abasmajor]

Hi Brian. I assume that this was only a problem with the Junior as all the other models did not have any castings in their construction. These imperfections would not arise with forged components.

Cheers, John

Hello John,
I had forgotten that the larger models were entirely forged with no casting involved, so that would make sense.

Brian

[colin g]

I also have a junior with the engraving, Full area on both sides done. As you say, Done to hide any blemishes.. Col.

[Evostu]

Very cool
Strange to think these apprentices if still alive would be old men (or women) now

[Josie & John]

The late great Don Blocksidge served his apprenticeship with Webley and explained to me that he was tasked with engraving some of these Webley Juniors. He even recognised some of his work on pistols that I acquired.

I have drafted an article on these pistols and one of these days, must submit it to Airgun World, as I have found several examples of a style that was not featured in Gordon Bruces' book. I am sure there are others out there yet to be discovered.

John

[Craig-P]

The late great Don Blocksidge served his apprenticeship with Webley and explained to me that he was tasked with engraving some of these Webley Juniors. He even recognised some of his work on pistols that I acquired.

I have drafted an article on these pistols and one of these days, must submit it to Airgun World, as I have found several examples of a style that was not featured in Gordon Bruces' book. I am sure there are others out there yet to be discovered.

John

John, did Don ever tell you how he came to become an engraver? It's quite an amusing story.
Best, Craig

[flogger]

I understand that the limited engraving to the breechblock of this Webley Junior would have been carried out by apprentices at the factory to conceal minor blemishes introduced during the casting process and this allow the pistols to be sold rather than scrapped. As I’m not aware of any Webley model other than the Junior where this has been the case, I wonder why this practice was confined to the Junior.
Anybody got a Junior with this or similar engraving in that particular area ?



Brian

I also have a nice one with similar engraving and boxed.

[ggggr]

I understand that the limited engraving to the breechblock of this Webley Junior would have been carried out by apprentices at the factory to conceal minor blemishes introduced during the casting process and this allow the pistols to be sold rather than scrapped. As I’m not aware of any Webley model other than the Junior where this has been the case, I wonder why this practice was confined to the Junior.
Anybody got a Junior with this or similar engraving in that particular area ?



Brian

Is that engraving? It looks more like it has been done with some sort of stamp or punch? Maybe an old number or letter stamp that has been sharpened to a point or a centre punch that has been squared off?

[Abasmajor]

Is that engraving? It looks more like it has been done with some sort of stamp or punch? Maybe an old number or letter stamp that has been sharpened to a point or a centre punch that has been squared off?

This particular example was purchased at a Bisley Arms Fair many years ago and was on sale with a Webley Mk1 both of which were offered in nicely made cases once containing cutlery.
Although the Junior wasn’t on my list of must haves at the time, the excellent condition of the pistol and the addition of the case and unusual markings twisted my arm. The seller had no idea about the origin of the markings, but from their general appearance they didn’t look like they were added after the pistol had been shipped from the factory.
I look forward to JMs AGW feature to learn more about the variations and history of these markings which would certainly be in-line with Wesley’s reputation for minimal wastage during production.



Brian

[archer24]

The last and probably the last I’ll buy.
So many Juniors.