WWI RSAF Enfield Webley Mk VI .455/ .45 ACP Cal 6″ DA/SA Top-Break Revolver
SOLD FOR: $1,028.00
WOA#: WY240516CE012
Make: Royal Small Arms Factory Enfield
Model: Mark VI
Serial#: 266434
Year of Manufacture: 1917, C&R
Caliber: (Not Shaved) .455/ .45 ACP (Shaved) TWO CYLINDERS
Action Type: Single and Double-Action Top-Break Revolver that has a 6-Round Cylinder with an Ejector
Markings: The left side of the top-strap is marked “‘17” which is the date of manufacturer, King George V’s royal cypher (crowned “GR” above two crossed flags and “P”; “GR” stands for Georgious Rex or King George in Latin, used during the reign of King George V (reigned ca. 1910-1936)), a British Broad Arrow (government property mark) and a Crown above “V1 / 13” along with “MARK VI”. The left side of the frame is marked with WEBLEY / MARK VI / PATENTS / 1917”, crown over “W/13”. The barrel hinge is marked with a Broad Arrow. The left side of the trigger guard is marked with King George V’s royal cypher. The cylinder cam lever is marked with a Broad Arrow. The extractor lever cam is marked with a Broad Arrow. The left side of the trigger is marked with a Broad Arrow. The cylinder is marked with a royal cypher over each chamber, and a section of the serial number “6434”. The front of the barrel assembly and frame are both marked with the serial number “266434”. The spring is marked with a Broad Arrow. The left side of the grip frame is marked with a royal cypher. The hammer is marked with a Broad Arrow. The left side of the front sight is marked with a Broad Arrow. There are no markings on the rear of the cylinder from the shaving process on the other and the extra cylinder is marked with a royal cypher over each chamber, and the serial number “300180”. It has been worn smooth and has lost its finish.
Barrel Length: 6”
Sights/ Optics: The front sight is a blade pinned set to a raised slotted base on the barrel rib. The rear sight is a “U” notch at the bottom of a “V” in the top of the barrel latch.
Stock Configuration & Condition/ Grip: The grip panels are two-piece checkered hard rubber with smooth borders. The butt-strap features a swiveling lanyard ring. The grip panels have scattered light handling marks, nicks and scuffs. The checkering is lightly worn on the right panel, but the panel’s checkering remains mostly sharp. Overall, the grips are in Very Good condition. The right grip panel is missing a section on its butt this is common among service pistols as the lanyard was a necessity.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is some light erosion concentrated in the grooves.
Overall Condition: The pistol retains about87% of its metal finish. The gun is coated in scattered patches of light surface oxidation but its bluing remains. The gun has some light handling marks, nicks and scuffs. Notably, there is finish loss around the muzzle, light wear along the leading edges. The markings remain clear and very sharp. The screwheads are lightly tooled, but they remain serviceable. Overall, the gun is in Fine Plus condition as a WWI C&R.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The cylinder locks with light play on each chamber. The single-action is crisp and double-action is smooth. We did not fire this handgun. 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 Mark VI was the last variant of the iconic handgun to see service which was chambered for the .455 caliber cartridge. It was introduced during the First World War, in 1915, and proved itself a durable and stalwart sidearm. Unlike earlier variants of the Webley, the Mk. VI is easily identifiable by its square-butt. It would remain the primary side-arm of the British military until 1928, but continued to see service through WWII and was only retired in 1963, although the unique cartridge made supplying ammunition for the revolver increasingly difficult towards the end of its service life.
This particular WWI specimen was manufactured at the Royal Small Arms Factory at Enfield in 1917, the same year the United States declared war on Austria-Hungary and also the bloodiest year of the War. The revolver has light wear consistent with a gun that is over 100 years old but has been well kept. Most Mk VI Revolvers had their cylinders ground down when they entered the commercial market in order to allow them to fire .45 ACP rounds; and we have two cylinders for this revolver; One is Shaven and one is not (this gun’s cylinder is shaven) and the parts are serial matched. This is a fascinating British martial arm that was manufactured during WWI at arguably the most critical time in the war. Please view our photos. Good luck on your bid and enjoy the auction.-K.F.
