Webley MkII conversion

Vimy Ridge

Vimy Ridge

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I have a Webley MkII that has the cylinder shaved down, I assume this is for use with .45ACP and moon clips. What type of moon clips would it be? Half or full? Any info would be great. The bluing is excellent, unfortunately the grips on each side are chipped at the bottom. One is brown, the other black, although I hear that is pretty common on these old Webley's. Any ideas on value? Not for sale at this time, but would like to know. Thanks Vimy.

Left side:
Webley-3.jpg


Right side:
Webley.jpg


Blurred, but shows how it has excessive spacing behind the cylinder.
Webley-1.jpg


This shows the lines from the machining.
Webley-2.jpg
 
It's not collectible anymore, but if yo can find a .455 cylinder to retrofit to it, it will be more valuable as a status antique in Canada than as a collectible handgun as it wouldn't have to be registered. All MkII Webleys were pre-1897.
 
Vimy Ridge said:
Oh, it's already de-registered. How about the moon clips?
Click to expand...

You can use full or half moonclips for 45 acp in this revolver. As for restoring it to 455 Webley that's another question. It can be done using the original cylinder, but you'd have to know a gunsmith that works practically for free to make it affordable.
PM Dingus on this site regarding replacing the old cylinder with one from a MkVI. You may be surprised.
Value? If you advertised this for $150.00 in the equipment exchange forum it would be sold in 30 seconds....and I'd be the buyer if I happened to be in time. This regardless of condition. Granted, it's value is decreasd because it's been cut, grips ain't mint, and there may be other issues. There are many who simply wouldn't even ask a question at that price.
 
Here are the Moon clips and Half moon clips with loader/unloader tool.

IMG_0917.jpg


The half moon clips are standard M1917 clips for the Smith & Wesson pistol. The full moon clips you can get off Ebay or places like that for cheap (10 for $10 incl. tool)

If you reload you can also load 45 Auto Rim and neck out to 455 and use that without the clips.

If you use .45 ACP make sure you use mild loads. The old girl wont take modern Hi-Power loads or +P.

just my 2 cents....
 
ilovepotatos said:
Exactly. You can't just take a pre 1900 frame and do whatever you want to it, and expect it to keep it's antique status.

That thing is not an antique anymore.
Click to expand...

I never even thought of that!!! :eek: Looks like I got shafted with someone unloading this little problem on me. If I strip it down and take it apart completely until I get another cylinder, will this solve the issue of it's status???
 
Until this gets clarified, it is now apart which should put me in the clear. I'm hoping it's sort of like owning an AR15 and having the automatic parts which is legal as long as they aren't installed. (if you aren't 12.whatever) So anyone have a .455 cylnder??? :p

webleystripped.jpg
 
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OK Frist Off People who Know Nothing about Antique laws should not be giveing advise (I love french fries :rolleyes:)

Your MKII is still a perscribed Antique in 45 ACP

Theres lots of them in 45 ACP and there still have Antique status.
Also your gun is not only worth $150 :rolleyes:

More like $700 or more depending on Bore ect.

You can put it back together and relax!

ask Antique Questions
over to Black powder forum we have guys there that know a thing or two about Antiques whats OK and whats Not.
 
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My coment was not ment to be towards you Claven2

Saying your not sure is fine but saying your gun is NOT antique anymore well thats just not Right!
 
Well that was an emotional rollercoaster!!! From inquisitive, to disappointment, to worry, to relief, to happiness - all in one thread! Too bad the dancing banana is frozen or he'd be doing his thing right now.

A big thanks to Dingus for setting the record straight! :D
 
YES, you can deregister it with absolutely no problem. 45 acp is not a "forbidden" caliber like 45 Colt. The same is true of any revolver manufactured before 1898 except those on the list of no-no's. Dumb, but true. I had the good fortune to be, as far as I know, the first person to have a MkI deregistered in 45acp after the firearms act was passed.
This is not a topic for arguement. It's iron clad in law period.
 
As several good folks have pointed out, never attempt to shoot factory .45ACP ammo through one of these conversions, the following pictures show why. Photos thanks to Dingus. Thought I'd pass on this warning to the masses.

23322215580.jpg


23322223472.jpg
 
That WAS a MKVI to!! not a Antique gun :eek:

It was only one very hot factory loaded Rd that got mixed in with some milder factory ammo (wasnt my gun either ;) )

But id be Reloading ANY 45 acp ammo going in a MKI or MKII ect Antique Webley.
 
Why bother with .45ACP? Buy .45Auto Rim brass from Midway or Graf and son and you can load it as it was meant to be loaded.
Load in a set of low cost Lee .455 dies. You will need a .45AR shell holder.
Use 5.0 gr of unique. (from an OLD Lyman reloading manual) This will duplicate the original load.

For replacement grips, www.vintagegungrips.com/index.html
If you really think its necessary.
DO NOT use factory loaded .45AR ammo as it's just as hot as .45ACP
I also disagree that the gun is chambered in .45ACP just because the cartridge will drop in the chamber. The .455 round is a few thou larger in diameter, in fact, the same diameter as .45LC. This really doesn't affect shooting .45 auto rim as the difference is not noticeable.

Oh by the way, I have a couple of Webleys with shaved cylinders, and I use the same method. (Have a lot more unshaved );)

If you REALLY want to spend money, RCBS makes a mould to cast the Webley bullet, but it is NOT CHEAP.
 
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