Author Topic: Strange Webley  (Read 624 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline Mikey

  • GBO Supporter
  • Moderator
  • Trade Count: (2)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 8734
Strange Webley
« on: September 26, 2006, 02:05:48 AM »
Folks - the Shotgunner picked up a strange Webley Mk VI with what appears to be an unrifled barrel.  At first he thought it was just leaded up but he doesn't think it has any rifling at all and a .451 diameter bullet is a tight fit.

Do any of you folks know if the Brits used any 'special munitions' in their revolvers that would have merited a smooth bore????

Any insights here would be 'preciated.  Thanks.  Mikey.

ps - I would have cut and pasted Shotgunner's post but I ain't smart enuf...................

Offline Questor

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 7075
Re: Strange Webley
« Reply #1 on: September 26, 2006, 07:54:31 AM »
Mikey.
I hope not to muddy the waters too badly, but I believe there was a naval version that was unrifled. I could be wrong about that, but it could be worth confirming.
Safety first

Offline Mikey

  • GBO Supporter
  • Moderator
  • Trade Count: (2)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 8734
Re: Strange Webley
« Reply #2 on: September 28, 2006, 02:29:52 AM »
Questor - that is interesting and I fully suspect the Brits would have had something like that.  How can we check it out?????  Mikey.

Offline Questor

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 7075
Re: Strange Webley
« Reply #3 on: September 28, 2006, 03:49:54 AM »
I'll try to think of it. In any case, it may be a collector's item. There are probably some Webley websites around, so if you try google, yahoo, hotbot, and altavista you might find something that is enlightening. I'd start by searching for "webley smoothbore" and narrow it down from there.
Safety first

Offline Questor

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 7075
Re: Strange Webley
« Reply #4 on: September 28, 2006, 04:03:23 AM »
Not a Webley, but see this page for a reference to "45 smoothbore"
http://www.cruffler.com/historic-january02.html

That Colt New Service that was chambered for 45 smootbore would potentially be about the same vintage as the Webley. There may have been a fad for smootbore pistols. Perhaps trench warfare applications were considered? I dunno. Good luck.
Safety first

Offline Questor

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 7075
Re: Strange Webley
« Reply #5 on: September 28, 2006, 04:05:54 AM »
Here's another clue, a Russian smootbore revolver.
http://www.warfare.ru/?catid=277&linkid=2289

I don't think the Webley in question was modified to be a smootbore. I think it was a factory or armory gun.
Safety first

Offline Questor

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 7075
Re: Strange Webley
« Reply #6 on: September 28, 2006, 08:46:04 AM »
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Webley_Revolver

See notes on ww1 on trench and naval boarding applications. It doesn't say smoothbore, but perhaps the gun is of that vintage.
Safety first

Offline Questor

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 7075
Re: Strange Webley
« Reply #7 on: September 29, 2006, 04:35:52 PM »
Safety first

Offline williamlayton

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 15415
Re: Strange Webley
« Reply #8 on: September 30, 2006, 12:29:42 AM »
Some folks is just GOOD at findin thangs on the web.
Good work "Q".
Blessings
TEXAS, by GOD