Webley MKI .455

44-40 · October 14, 2010, 07:43 AM

I have a webley MKI .455 ser# 208xxx on barrel, frame and cylinder, any idea when it was made?

**Mike Irwin** · October 14, 2010, 08:26 AM

It looks like this?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Webley_MkI_P0.jpg

Mk Is are not at all common.

I THINK the Mk I was made between 1887 and 1892. A serial number in the 200,000 range sounds way too high, as I believe there were fewer than 15,000 Mk Is made before manufacture transitioned to the Mk II.

Warning.

UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD YOU FIRE A MK I WITH SMOKELESS POWDER AMMUNITION!

When cordite was introduced in British service .455 in the late 1890s all revolvers from Mk I through M IV had to be withdrawn for service because they simply would not stand up to the smokeless loads.

NEVER shoot anything but black powder through an early Webley.

mapsjanhere · October 14, 2010, 08:53 AM

Old American Rifleman article on the Webley, theirs is a Mark V from 1914 with only a 132,000 serial number.

**Mike Irwin** · October 14, 2010, 09:04 AM

Yeah, I'm pretty sure all of the Marks were sequentially serial numbered, and that they didn't get above 200,000 until the Mk VI.

mapsjanhere · October 14, 2010, 11:05 AM

Actually, when you look you find a lot of articles about the jumping serial numbers on early Webleys. Like they started with 20,000, followed by a 50,000, going back to four digits etc. But I didn't find any mentioning of early versions with serial numbers over 100k.

James K · October 14, 2010, 07:32 PM

I have a MkI, serial number 80x, so they likely started with 1. That makes a 200000 range seem odd. FWIW, mine still has the holster guide and recoil shield made as part of the frame.

Jim

madcratebuilder · October 17, 2010, 08:37 AM

My MKII is 818XX. A photo would help.

RickB · October 19, 2010, 03:42 PM

I have a Mark I at home, and will check the serial.

RickB · October 20, 2010, 09:10 PM

30977

October 14, 2010, 07:43 AM	#1
44-40 Senior Member Join Date: January 31, 2005 Location: Wyoming Posts: 180	Webley MKI .455 I have a webley MKI .455 ser# 208xxx on barrel, frame and cylinder, any idea when it was made?

October 14, 2010, 08:26 AM	#2
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,390	It looks like this? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Webley_MkI_P0.jpg Mk Is are not at all common. I THINK the Mk I was made between 1887 and 1892. A serial number in the 200,000 range sounds way too high, as I believe there were fewer than 15,000 Mk Is made before manufacture transitioned to the Mk II. Warning. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD YOU FIRE A MK I WITH SMOKELESS POWDER AMMUNITION! When cordite was introduced in British service .455 in the late 1890s all revolvers from Mk I through M IV had to be withdrawn for service because they simply would not stand up to the smokeless loads. NEVER shoot anything but black powder through an early Webley. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

October 14, 2010, 08:53 AM	#3
mapsjanhere Senior Member Join Date: August 6, 2009 Location: Albuquerque Posts: 2,832	Old American Rifleman article on the Webley, theirs is a Mark V from 1914 with only a 132,000 serial number. __________________ I used to love being able to hit hard at 1000 yards. As I get older I find hitting a mini ram at 200 yards with the 22 oddly more satisfying.

October 14, 2010, 09:04 AM	#4
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,390	Yeah, I'm pretty sure all of the Marks were sequentially serial numbered, and that they didn't get above 200,000 until the Mk VI. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

October 14, 2010, 11:05 AM	#5
mapsjanhere Senior Member Join Date: August 6, 2009 Location: Albuquerque Posts: 2,832	Actually, when you look you find a lot of articles about the jumping serial numbers on early Webleys. Like they started with 20,000, followed by a 50,000, going back to four digits etc. But I didn't find any mentioning of early versions with serial numbers over 100k. __________________ I used to love being able to hit hard at 1000 yards. As I get older I find hitting a mini ram at 200 yards with the 22 oddly more satisfying.

October 14, 2010, 07:32 PM	#6
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	I have a MkI, serial number 80x, so they likely started with 1. That makes a 200000 range seem odd. FWIW, mine still has the holster guide and recoil shield made as part of the frame. Jim

October 17, 2010, 08:37 AM	#7
madcratebuilder Senior Member Join Date: November 2, 2007 Location: Northern Orygun Posts: 4,923	My MKII is 818XX. A photo would help.

October 19, 2010, 03:42 PM	#8
RickB Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2000 Location: Boise, ID Posts: 8,518	I have a Mark I at home, and will check the serial.

October 20, 2010, 09:10 PM	#9
RickB Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2000 Location: Boise, ID Posts: 8,518	30977