Antique status possible? Webley .455 Pistol

[Ironballsmahoney]

Hey everyone

A friend of mine is dealing with an estate situation and she is very confused at the situation with her grandfathers pistol.

#1 Yes she does have her RPAL (if that's relevant)

Her grandfather has a .445 Webley pistol with I believe a 4 1/2 - 5" barrel, so no potential for it being a prohibited. Her grandfather also mentioned that from his knowledge, it was never registered and believes its from 1890ish.

Shes very much wanting to keep it and get it 'Antique' status for it but with the current handgun freeze, and it being unregistered, is this even possible from step #1?

Anyone else gone through this exact process, along with there being this freeze happening?

 

[Dynas]

You don’t need to register if it’s an antique but you should make doubly sure that it is one.

 

[bearhunter]

Look up Webly 455 Pistols on the internet. Find out the model and start from there.

Your description is so vague, there's no way anyone can give you the information you need.

You don't mention if it's a break action or a solid frame model.

One thing to look for is a stamp on the receiver of a "winged cast lead bullet" this usually indicates it's an antique.

There are all sorts of other stamps which need to be researched and I believe there is still a university in England, which has all of the Webley serial numbers.

If you can get in touch with John Hipwell, of Wolverine, he's a tomb of information on these lovely pistols.

 

[Cpollock]

Figure out the exact model - more detail is required here. Many Webleys are antique, some are not.

 

[Ironballsmahoney]

Look up Webly 455 Pistols on the internet. Find out the model and start from there.

Your description is so vague, there's no way anyone can give you the information you need.

You don't mention if it's a break action or a solid frame model.

One thing to look for is a stamp on the receiver of a "winged cast lead bullet" this usually indicates it's an antique.

There are all sorts of other stamps which need to be researched and I believe there is still a university in England, which has all of the Webley serial numbers.

If you can get in touch with John Hipwell, of Wolverine, he's a tomb of information on these lovely pistols.

I will post further info when I can get it from her. It is a break action!

 

[tiriaq]

It is not necessary to "get" it antique status. That is, getting a letter. It should be possible to establish antique status by careful research.
All Mk. I and Mk. II revolvers are antique. Some Mk. IIIs are.

 

[KotKotofeich]

Post a picture or five here. Most of us should be able to give you some more info.

The mk I, II and III that tiriaq mentions usually had shorter barrels but perhaps it's a wg or an even more obscure break open model. Good luck!

 

[bearhunter]

Post a picture or five here. Most of us should be able to give you some more info.

The mk I, II and III that tiriaq mentions usually had shorter barrels but perhaps it's a wg or an even more obscure break open model. Good luck!

No, don't post a picture until you establish the model. No reason to create unnecessary grief.