vintage pistol question

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dpcjradio

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I just got a Holloway & Company .450 revolver. It is a dead ringer for a Webley RIC, but with a longer barrel (4 or 5 inch?). It is fitted with a substantial grip and lanyard ring.
British officers were expected to buy their own pistols I understand. If that is correct, then there would be no broad arrow (or any other military markings) on such a gun. So, is the lanyard ring proof of this piece being military?

I will send anyone interested a photo (have not figured out how to post here).

dpcjensen@shaw.ca
 
The lanyard ring itself does not necessarily mean military issue. Lanyards are handy things even today, even though they are old-fashioned...... keep you from losing the thing, sometimes. Commercial Lugers had lanyard rings, as did many others which may have been bought from civilian suppliers and then used..... or not..... in the military.

Also, a lot of dealers bought guns from the actual manufacturers and put their own names on the things. This was quite common in the 19th Century, less so today, although the practice is still with us: Eaton's never made guns, but they had their own brand, same as Sears, etc.

Some pictures would really help.
 
As you have pointed out, British officers in those days were expected to buy their own pistols. Because of this there were a number of stores ( many in London ) selling and making pistols that were intended for this purpose.
Winston Churchill ( not a Sir then ) bought and used a Mauser Broomhandle. He liked self loaders and butt stocks.
These pistols were not proofed by the military but they were expected to be in the military caliber.
I assume that some of these guns never saw military service but may have gone to India with a British hunter. A lanyard ring would be handy there also.
You may never know for sure the exact history of this gun but it sounds like a nice gun.
Enjoy it.
 
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