Webley-Scott .455 1913 Model MK 1 Navy Automatic Pistol

[varifleman]

Here for your viewing pleasure is my Webley-Scott .455 1913 MK1 Navy automatic pistol serial number 3800. The numerous military acceptaqnce, proof and property marks indicate it was taken into service in 1914. Close-up photos show the (19)14 acceptance date above the Crown/GR on the frame and breech-block, the serial number, the broad arrow property mark on the grip and a 7-pack of .455 ammo dated January 30, 1919.

[varifleman]

additional photos of acceptance marks and ammo

[ebeeby]

Those are a joy to shoot and quite accurate.
Congrats.

[varifleman]

I found on-line an interesting article "The .455 Webley & Scott Pistol" (American Rifleman 1964) which has a chart which details both Government Contracts and Private sales deliveries by month/year/serial number. This pistol (serial number 3800) was 1 of 1919 (serial numbers 3691-5609) delivered to the Royal Navy in December 1914. It served through most of WWI.

[Guamsst]

And people say the Nambu is ugly....LOL

Nice find....ugly has its own beauty.

[DarylBruce]

Yep, most would not call it a beauty, but, I sure would love to have it in my gun display. very nice....

[Shooter5]

Wow, dont see those too often.

[Art]

The Brits seemed to have a way of developing butt ugly but very good handguns. All those Webly and Enfield revolvers come to mind.

I have never seen one of these .455 Navy revolvers in anything but a book but from everything I've heard they were actually very good auto pistols.

[varifleman]

This pistol sure won't win any beauty contests but I'm very happy to have it in my gun room. I've got the .455 Webley auto bullets, brass and loading dies from Buffalo Arms and will load up some of this ammo and see how it perfoms in this pistol and my 1917 British Army contract Colt Government Model pistol.

[varifleman]

http://www.awm.gov.au/collection/G00523/

Gallipoli Peninsula, Turkey. 1915. The intrepid Commander C R Samson, standing beside a single seat Nieuport 10 aircraft with pistol in his hand about to start on one of his little excursions over the Turkish lines. Commander Samson commanded No. 3 Squadron, Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) Wing, based on Tenedos Island, which took part in the operations at the Dardanelles. The pistol in the photo is a .455 Webley-Scott Mark1-N Navy automatic which is quite distinguishable by the boxy breech-block and exposed barrel.

[Arnhemjim]

This weapon has always intrigued me. Was able to purchase one of the commercial models (identical to 1N model except markings) in near mint condition in 1982. One of only 1248 ever produced. If anyone is interested in more data, have two pages on my blog devoted to the weapon; http://arnhemjim.blogspot.com/2011/10/other-webley-limited-standard-semi.html?showComment=1333319872842#c6602869806713 229735 and http://arnhemjim.blogspot.com/2013/02/the-other-webley-addendum.html.
Arnhem Jim
Arizona Territory

[varifleman]

This weapon has always intrigued me. Was able to purchase one of the commercial models (identical to 1N model except markings) in near mint condition in 1982. One of only 1248 ever produced. If anyone is interested in more data, have two pages on my blog devoted to the weapon; http://arnhemjim.blogspot.com/2011/10/other-webley-limited-standard-semi.html?showComment=1333319872842#c6602869806713 229735 and http://arnhemjim.blogspot.com/2013/02/the-other-webley-addendum.html.
Arnhem Jim
Arizona Territory

Arnhrm Jim: I had found your blog earlier and it was extremely useful, especially the info on contract deliveries broken down by month and serial number and the photos of holsters and other accessories. Thanks for your efforts.

[varifleman]

Here are photos of British military issue .455 Webley self-loading Mark I cartridges head stamps 1917 and 1918 issued for this pistol and the WWI British contract Colt .455 Webley Government Model pistols. 7 of these cartridges are contained in the January 30, 1919 7-cartridge packet shown above. This pistol is recoil-operated. Here are photos of pistol's open action.