Fitting MK VI barrel/cylinder to an earlier Webley??

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I know that it has been done but does anyone have any personal knowledge or experience with fitting a stronger mk VI cylinder / barrel, etc to an antique class mk II or III webley .455? It should provide all of the later improvements to the mechanism with stronger cylinder and barrel but still remain antique class.

I'm not thinking of chopping up a pristine collectable or modifying it for hot loads so please don't go that route with replies. I simply like the longer barrel of the mk VI and it might allow getting an antique class revolver shooting well again.

Can you recommend a smith knowledgeable with Webleys?
 
actually, no can do amigo, if I remember correctly. The newer cylinders are too long for the older webleys, unless you have a mk I** or II** where they modified the frame to mount a mk IV or V cylinder and barrel. And those are very rare, and consequently VERY expensive at the $3500 mark or so. I dont have any figures for how many were refinished, but considering they only made around 125,000 mk I's and about the same amount of mk II's....Theres one in the EE right now for sale, I think Dingus is selling it. you're better spending the $500 and getting a restricted mk VI if you want the newer steel. Although I did what you want to do, it was with a 45acp mk I** with a mk VI 455 cylinder, and many of the mk VI internal parts are also interchangeable. Thats why I got a cheap mk VI as spare parts gun for my mk I**.
 
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I have a MKII frame with a MKVI barrel and cylinder. It does not bear the ** armory upgrade stamp, but it was certainly done by a skilled professional somewhere. The frame has not been altered, still has the original finish, and the cylinder fits fine. Some of the inner workings have been altered to accommodate the MKVI cylinder.

Not much help, but it can be done. Others know of Webley smiths in the USA - perhaps they'll chime in...also, Dingus has posted about the alterations required to upgrade the MKII - can't find the post anymore but I know it's out there....
 
Anything new come up on this topic? I've got a not quite working right mkII and a not working mkVI incomming so this is of interest to me.
 
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