Antique Status Webley Revolvers - info please

Weapontech

Weapontech

CGN frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
172   0   0
Location
On my way to Hell in a handbasket
Let me start by saying I'm not an antique collector, so here is the issue; I have a friend who is selling (a supposed) antique Webley revolver in .455
He does not have an letter from the RCMP indicating that the revolver has antique status.

Question is; how can I tell it's antique? Mfg date, maker, type, etc? What dates / info must be indicated in order that it falls under antique?
I don't want to commit to buying it, unless it's something that can be re-sold as an antique, rather than something that needs to be registered as restricted.

Any help would be appreciated!
 
Unlikely that there will be a date.
As far as service issue Webleys go, all Mk. I and Mk. II revolvers are antique. Some Mk. III revolvers are, but most aren't.
RIC pattern solid frame revolvers date both sides of 1897.
 
Weapontech said:
Getting specific info from the seller now......would it have an actual date on the frame?
Click to expand...

The date if any can be misleading. Refurbished service mk1s (* or ** level) had the _refurbishment_ date stamped on the frame. So an antique gun made prior to the cutoff can have 1918 stamped on it...

The service mk model number will be stamped on the frame left side above the trigger. mk1 and 2 are all antique. mk3 are cutoff at a serial somewhere between 5k and 10k. YMMV depending on who you talk to.
 
Green slip restricteds can be transferred.
I assume that the piece is not registered, the current owner believing it to be antique.
 
KotKotofeich said:
The date if any can be misleading. Refurbished service mk1s (* or ** level) had the _refurbishment_ date stamped on the frame. So an antique gun made prior to the cutoff can have 1918 stamped on it...

The service mk model number will be stamped on the frame left side above the trigger. mk1 and 2 are all antique. mk3 are cutoff at a serial somewhere between 5k and 10k. YMMV depending on who you talk to.
Click to expand...

x2

Picture stolen shamelessly from the net.

imageproxy-1.jpg
 

Attachments

  • imageproxy-1.jpg
    imageproxy-1.jpg
    74.5 KB · Views: 212
tiriaq said:
Green slip restricteds can be transferred.
I assume that the piece is not registered, the current owner believing it to be antique.
Click to expand...

Yes, I've transferred several from him up to this point with no issues. That's a big affirm on point two; which it may very well be antique. He said that he had all of his guns verified at some point in the past by his local detachment at the time, this one included. But no green slip because it is antique, apparently.

More to follow.....
 
KotKotofeich said:
The date if any can be misleading. Refurbished service mk1s (* or ** level) had the _refurbishment_ date stamped on the frame. So an antique gun made prior to the cutoff can have 1918 stamped on it...

The service mk model number will be stamped on the frame left side above the trigger. mk1 and 2 are all antique. mk3 are cutoff at a serial somewhere between 5k and 10k. YMMV depending on who you talk to.
Click to expand...

....and the first bit of info I have received is that it indeed has "1918" stamped on it. Hopefully this is a good sign.
 
Weapontech said:
....and the first bit of info I have received is that it indeed has "1918" stamped on it. Hopefully this is a good sign.
Click to expand...

I'm rooting for you, but it's not necessarily a sign of anything good, I wrote this so you'd know it does not necessarily mean anything bad either ;)

I have mk1s both with the 19xx year stamp and without, I also have a mk6 with a similar 19xx year stamp in the same location... 1918 was just an example and it's not always that year... The only sure sign is the mk # stamp on the frame.

I hope it says 1 with a **

Good luck!
 
KotKotofeich said:
I'm rooting for you, but it's not necessarily a sign of anything good, I wrote this so you'd know it does not necessarily mean anything bad either ;)

I have mk1s both with the 19xx year stamp and without, I also have a mk6 with a similar 19xx year stamp in the same location... 1918 was just an example and it's not always that year... The only sure sign is the mk # stamp on the frame.

I hope it says 1 with a **

Good luck!
Click to expand...

Well, I received the information needed to make a determination. Unfortunately, it's not good - It is a Webley MK VI with a patent date of 1918.
The owner mistakenly thought that anything over 100 years old was classified as antique.
I showed him the regs and info and he's now going to try and get it registered, or turn it in........sigh. Thanks to all for the input, much appreciated.
 
I think there's a good chance it can be brought into the system as a registered firearm.
Certainly hoping that is the case so that it can give pleasure and historical insight to future generations of shooters.
 
Get the gun verified. Take the signed verification form to the CFO office and I am quite certain they will simply register the gun making you and the rest of us way more safer once your gun receives a Certificate of Legalness.

Take Care

Bob
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom