My webley pistol collection

[ccdjg]

Yep true I guess plenty around but it's getting harder and harder to find really nice ones now,especially in original boxes and when they do come up you have to be quick as they get snapped up fast and the prices are going through the roof now so I'm glad I've got 1 of most of the models,just need to hunt down the ones I don't have lol

A fantastic Webley collection. Now you just need to get one of these!

[Evostu]

A fantastic Webley collection. Now you just need to get one of these!

Ah Mr hofmanns I presume
Hopefully oneday 🤣

[Garvin]

A fantastic Webley collection. Now you just need to get one of these!

What is that, John. Made by Webley or a copy? (Sorry. I can't get to my ESAP right now).

[ccdjg]

What is that, John. Made by Webley or a copy? (Sorry. I can't get to my ESAP right now).

Danny, The only information I was able to find was summarised in ESAP (page 457) as follows:


This major modification of a Webley Junior pistol has been carried out very thoughtfully by an unknown, and most probably professional, enthusiast, resulting in a compact concentric trigger-guard cocking pistol, which might be considered as a hybrid between the Abas Major and the Anson Star. To achieve the conversion, the cylinder has been removed and turned upside-down so that the cocking link channel is now under the cylinder. The old breech block has been cut off and the air transfer port sealed, probably by the new rear sight. The smoothbore brass barrel runs concentrically with the cylinder and the breech is accessed for loading by unscrewing a breech inserter pin. The trigger guard underlever appears to have been cast, or skilfully forged, from steel, which would have been beyond the capabilities of the average amateur. The pistol performed well and was quite powerful for its size and age.

REFERENCE
AG (JA) Feb 2015, p.79. Illustrated discussion of the pistol


If anyone can add to this I would be very grateful.

Cheers,
John

[Garvin]

Danny, The only information I was able to find was summarised in ESAP (page 457) as follows:


This major modification of a Webley Junior pistol has been carried out very thoughtfully by an unknown, and most probably professional, enthusiast, resulting in a compact concentric trigger-guard cocking pistol, which might be considered as a hybrid between the Abas Major and the Anson Star. To achieve the conversion, the cylinder has been removed and turned upside-down so that the cocking link channel is now under the cylinder. The old breech block has been cut off and the air transfer port sealed, probably by the new rear sight. The smoothbore brass barrel runs concentrically with the cylinder and the breech is accessed for loading by unscrewing a breech inserter pin. The trigger guard underlever appears to have been cast, or skilfully forged, from steel, which would have been beyond the capabilities of the average amateur. The pistol performed well and was quite powerful for its size and age.

REFERENCE
AG (JA) Feb 2015, p.79. Illustrated discussion of the pistol


If anyone can add to this I would be very grateful.

Cheers,
John

Thank you John! Amazing work. But it's not as if there was much wrong with the original design. It's so neatly done, shouldn't we assume it's a prototype?

[ccdjg]

Thank you John! Amazing work. But it's not as if there was much wrong with the original design. It's so neatly done, shouldn't we assume it's a prototype?

It would be great if it could be proven to be a genuine Webley prototype, but the lack of any mention of it in those Webley records that have survived speaks against this. Even so, the fact that the patina on all the parts seems to match, and is very similar to that found on other well-weathered unboxed 'tin' grip Juniors, does suggest that the modification was probably done before the War, when the original pistol was not very old.

The other interesting point is that if it was made pre-war, then this pre-empts the Abas cocking design.

[Garvin]

It would be great if it could be proven to be a genuine Webley prototype, but the lack of any mention of it in those Webley records that have survived speaks against this. Even so, the fact that the patina on all the parts seems to match, and is very similar to that found on other well-weathered unboxed 'tin' grip Juniors, does suggest that the modification was probably done before the War, when the original pistol was not very old.

The other interesting point is that if it was made pre-war, then this pre-empts the Abas cocking design.

Thank you.

[johnbaz]

Wow!!

Fabulous collection!

I think I have fifteen or so Webleys and only have a box for a Senior (Was given the box gratis!)

Just remembered that I acquired a boxed Nemesis recently so that's two but it's not old like the steel overlevers!

I don't keep the pistol in the box as i've seen loads of pistols with rust on one side due to the box absorbing damp





And the plain nemesis box..




John