Looking for Webley holster options

[jacotsmith]

Hi everyone,

I just picked up a Webley Mk I and am on the hunt for a functional holster. I've searched and there are a couple good threads on here on the topic, but I didn't see an answer to my question.

I found a holster online that I like the looks of which is advertised to fit the Mk IV. It's a modern, fitted leather holster as opposed to an antique model designed to fit a variety of guns.

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B076DBLQJ8/?coliid=I3O0K81PINF5IF&colid=3AKUFDZEBG5X6&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

So my question, aside from the hump on the backstrap of the grip on the Mk I, are there any other differences in the frames of the various models?

The best visual comparison of the evolution of the revolvers over the years I can find online is on IMFDB:

http://www.imfdb.org/wiki/Webley#Revolvers

The top ends (the part that would go in the fitted holster) on the Mk I through the Mk V all look pretty similar in the photos, but I'd like to know if there are any major dimensional differences that could potentially effect compatibility for the holster.

Can any of our resident Webley aficionados weigh in with their thoughts? Any other ideas for an open top holster with some type of retention (thumbreak, kydex, whatever) for a 4" Mk I?

Thanks for looking!

 

[jacotsmith]

Bumping this up again to try to catch the Sunday morning Webley crowd

 

[GrantR]

I tried to post the following last night, but for some reason the site wouldn't let me post it ... kept saying I wasn't logged in (although I was) and wouldn't let me re-log in! Anyway, I copied it to my clipboard so I could post it today ...

Assuming you have a .455 Mark I Webley, I suspect the modern holster you have linked to will not fit well, if at all, because the later .38 revolves, such as the Mk IV, have a "daintier" frame and barrel ... I gather that you do not want a flap-covered revolver, such as was traditionally used by British officers ...

The "historically correct" open-top holster for any of the .455 Webley service revolvers would be the British War Department"s "Other Ranks" pistol case (their terminology for "holster" adopted in the late 1870s. (To my mind, such a venerable warhorse would be best carried in this type of holster! )

Here are extracts British War Department "List of Changes" entries for this pattern -

And here is a front and rear view of this type of pistol case:

These are a fairly simple holster design and there are reproductions of this type out there, although they can be a bit difficult to track down. One source I am aware of, at a quite reasonable price, is "What Price Glory", who actually offer three WWI-era variations of the Other Ranks holster, with the P'03 version being closest to the original design. One problem - hopefully not insurmountable - is that these retros are actually made in a length to accomodate the Mark VI .455 revolver, which had a 6" barrel, so it is really a bit too long for Mark I through Mark V revolvers with 4" barrels, but could presumably be shortened ...

https://onlinemilitaria.net/products/4610-UK-Leather-Webley-Holster/

 

[jacotsmith]

Many thanks GrantR for your very informative reply.

 

[GrantR]

To clarify what I am talking about above, the "Mark IV" Webley which would fit in the holster you linked to is a .38 caliber 20th Century revolver, much "daintier" in configuration than the earlier .455 caliber Webley Service revolvers (which, confusingly, went from Mark I through Mark VI models.)

I just dug out my Mk IV .38 Webley (the "modern" model the form-fitted holster you are looking at would fit, in 4" barrel length) and took a comparison shot of it (on the left) next to a .455 Webley revolver (on the right.) The .455 Webley in this photo just happens to be a Mk IV of that earlier pattern, just to add to the potential confusion ... ... but of course it has essentially the same size of frame, cylinder and barrel as your Mark I. Note that it is much beefier and definitely wouldn't go into the form-fitted holster you are looking at ...

 

[green]

Have an original 1899 dated holster which fits the .455" MkI and .455" MkIV perfectly. The 4" barrel .455" MkI-V use the same holsters.
As above .38" MkIV is much smaller.

 

[jacotsmith]

That side by side picture is worth a thousand words. Thanks again.

 

[KotKotofeich]

You know, if you are not trying to be historically accurate and just need a holster to carry this in, the el cheapo Uncle Mike's sidekick holster for the large frame revolvers with a 4" barrel works just fine.

 

[jacotsmith]

Thanks!

 

[jacotsmith]

Resurrecting this thread again as I found a couple holsters that might do the trick.

The first one is an Indiana Jones replica leather holster made by a prop/costume company called Todd's costumes that I read about on AR15 dot com. I can't find the thread again because I had to go way down the Google hole to find it in the first place, but it had some pictures and testimonies that the leather is good quality and a perfect fit for a 4" Webley.

The other holster is very different than the first and I think it would work great but I don't know if it will fit a Webley. I've emailed back and forth with the manufacturer who says that it fits a 4" Ruger Red Hawk, but it's a tight fit.

I like this one as it looks like any other piece of modern hunting gear (ie binocular case, etc.) so if you bump into someone while wearing it they shouldn't be alarmed, (though I'm not certain of our clear-as-mud legalities on whether or not this constitutes "concealment" and am not interested in debating the particulars here for the purpose of this thread for I'm only looking for something to use on my own property). It is called the "pistol slicker" and is made by Alpine innovations.

The manufacturer says the back plate dimensions are 7 1/2" W x 8 1/2" H, and my Webley measures 9.25" from crown to butt, but I wonder if the neoprene cover is stretchy enough to cover the grips. He said if not, it should still fit but the barrel will protrude out the bottom.

Does anybody here own a Red Hawk and a Webley who could post a side by side picture to get an idea of the grip angle and relative proportions?

Both holsters are available through the companies' websites and eBay and Amazon. Interested to know people's thoughts.

Thanks for looking!

 

[jacotsmith]

Following up on my post yesterday, Ruger's website says the (4.2") Redhawk is 9.5" OAL, a 1/4" longer than my MkII.

https://www.ruger.com/products/redhawk/specSheets/5044.html

I'm thinking the Alpine Innovations holster just might do the trick. Would still welcome any real world comments though on comparative size. Thanks everyone!

 

[jacotsmith]

If my own measurements, internet research and photoshop skills line up, it looks like the Webley is slightly smaller than a 44 mag Redhawk.



I think I might just try the Alpine holster out. If I do I will report back.

 

[Orion]

Not sure if this helps you out but I have the Galco Wheelgunner holster, Model WG104 for the Ruger GP100 (it also fits a bunch of other revolvers) and it fit my Webley Mk II perfectly.


h ttps://www.galcogunleather.com/wheelgunner-strongside-crossdraw-belt-holster_8_4_1337.html

 

[jethunter]

Uncle Mikes Sidekick holster size 2 fits snug works well on both mk1 and mk2 455 webley revolvers.

 

[Drillbit]

You're going to have to trust me on this one.

If you buy on and don't like it, I'll buy it off you for a spare.

The best holster I've found is the DeSantis 002 85

It's for a 1911 but if fits a Colt SAA, French Lebel and Webley WG perfectly. Its simple and everything rides nice.

All the others posted look way bulkier.

 

[Thenoobgunsmith]

You're going to have to trust me on this one.

If you buy on and don't like it, I'll buy it off you for a spare.

The best holster I've found is the DeSantis 002 85

It's for a 1911 but if fits a Colt SAA, French Lebel and Webley WG perfectly. Its simple and everything rides nice.

All the others posted look way bulkier.

Got a pic of any of these in the holster?

 

[jacotsmith]

For the benefit of anyone following this thread in the future, I am happy with the Alpine holster. I'm thinking it will do the trick just fine.