Webley RIC....antique?

BadLieutenant

BadLieutenant

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I was offered a Webley RIC in the US and was wondering how I could find out if it's antique or not, besides calling a technician?

I heard it was a bit hard to get a date of manufacturing with Webley's serial numbers.

From what I read Webley & Son became Webley and Scott in 1897.....BUT revolvers had the Webley & Son marking up to World War I.....

The one I would like to buy is marked Webley & Son with the winged bullet...

Anyone with knowledge.....or books? :)

Thanks!
 
Unfortunately there is no solid reference for webley serial numbers known. I have 2 webley books and they don't have this info.

RICs were made right up to the late 1930s. There are different sub-models: No.1, No.2, No.3, 1883, Constabulary, New Model No.1, and others. Some variations will be antique and others may not. Model info is sometimes included with the webley trademark flying bullet. (see picture below).

My experience is that the CFP looks favourably on the Webley and Son trademark, but not the Webley and Scott when considering antique status. The top picture following is a RIC No.1, .476 Enfield, sn 76###, carrying the Webley and Son trademark. Note the flying bullet is hollow base. This particular RIC does have antique status.

0003-2.jpg


You are correct that a flying bullet trademark continued to be used for some years after 1897, but not all the "flying bullet" trademarks are the same. Some versions of the flying bullet trademarks may be considered antique and some are not.

The "W & S" flying hollow base bullet is a "Webley and Son" trademark. (left corner bottom row) The "W & S" flying bullet (no hollow base) is considered to be Webley and Scott (right corner bottom row).

WebleyTrademarks.jpg


Best bet is to call CFP and talk to a tech. PM sent.

The RIC is a very sturdy little revolver and excellent shooters. They deserve more respect than they normally receive. The .450 chambered pistols I have seen will accept the Hornady .455 mkII brass without mods, although they probably should not be loaded to full .455 lvels. They will shoot non- HB bullets better than most MkI or MKII .455 service revolvers because they do not have as much restriction in the throat. If you can find one in .455 or .476 you have a real treasure.
 
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tactical870 said:
Talk to a tech. I've seen 2 different variations of the winged hollow base bullet on an RIC....
Click to expand...

Unfortunately variations are very common with webleys. The company would build whatever you ordered if you had the money to pay for it.

The RIC revolvers in particular have a numbing array of variations. Even the webley "experts" regularly stumble onto variations they didn't know existed.

If someone is really interested in RIC webleys they should look at a newish book that is still available on Amazon.ca - "Webley Solid Frame Revolvers - Models RIC, MP, and No. 5" by Joel Black. Excellent reference and hundreds of high quality photos. Well worth the $, IMO.
 
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