Israeli Marked Webley & Scott Mk. IV Revolver In .38 Smith & Wesson. C&R
SOLD FOR: $805
WOA#: WY240220JS009
Make: Webley & Scott
Model: Mk. IV
Serial Number: 54266
Year of Manufacture: 1940s (https://www.armsresearch.co.uk/The%20Webley%20and%20Scott%20Achive/Webley%20and%20Scott%20Archive.htm)
Caliber: .38 Smith & Wesson
Action Type: Top-break, Double Action Revolver.
Markings: This revolver has “WEBLEY & SCOTT LTD. / MADE IN ENGLAND” on the top of the frame, “MARK IV 38 / .38 .767 / 4 TONS” with a British crown proof on the left side of the frame, “B” with the serial. There is a star of David on the right side with a Hebrew proof mark. The underside of the barrel is marked, “2 66 / C.I.A. ST. ALB. VT.” The cylinder is marked with 6 british crowns. The back of the cylinder is marked “B / 54 / 2 \ 66”
Barrel Length: 4”
Sights/Optics: This revolver has a blade front sight post and a square notch rear sight on the break lever.
Stock Configuration and Condition: This revolver has a 2 piece black bakelite grip panels with checkering and the Webley logo on each side.There is a lanyard loop. There are minor scuffs and scratches in the grip. The checkering is good. Overall these grip panels rate at about Good condition.
Type of Finish: Phosphate
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion but there is some wear at the throat of the barrel. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 8/10.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 95% of its metal finish. The finish is quite strong throughout. The finish is a hard phosphate, as such there is only minor finish wear. The cylinder has turn-wear with a turn line and minor edge wear. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this revolver rates in Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The cylinder locks with some play on each of their 6 chambers. We did not fire this revolver. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork, and Accessories: None.
Our Assessment: The Webley & Scott Mk. IV revolver, chambered in .38 Smith & Wesson, served as a staple sidearm for British military and police forces during the early to mid-20th century. Its top-break, double-action design allowed for easy loading and unloading. Despite the cartridge’s lower power compared to others of its era, such as the .38 Special, the Mk. IV proved reliable and suitable for personal defense in military and law enforcement settings.
Adopted during World War I, the Mk. IV revolver saw extensive service in both World Wars, issued to officers and non-commissioned officers alike. Its robust construction and dependable performance made it well-suited for use in challenging environments. Over its production lifespan, the Mk. IV underwent various iterations and adaptations, including models tailored for police use and those with longer barrels for target shooting.
This particular Mark IV has the markings of an IDF service pistol. The IDF (Israeli Defense Force) Used these purchased revolvers all the up to the early 1970s where they were eventually phased out for more modern sidearms. -R.E.
