Webley-Scott .455 1913 Model MKI Navy Automatic Pistol

[varifleman]

Here for your viewing pleasure is my Webley-Scott .455 Model 1913 MK1 N Navy pistol serial number 3800 which was accepted into service in 1914. 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.

[varifleman]

A few more photos to show 1914 acceptance mark on frame, broad arrow property mark on grip and a 7-pack of .455 Webley self-loading ammmo dated January 30, 1919.

[Alpo]

How is that thing to shoot? From the pix, it just looks like it would be uncomfortable as hell.

[soundguy]

then again... ;look at the anemic cartridge it shoots.


hmm.. that got me thinking.

I bet some trailboss might make nice safe 455 loads for my revolvers.

if i'm not carefull.. trailboss might eclipse imr 4064 on my bench...

[Lanrezac]

It is very hard to find any ammo to shoot these with. Original factory or British Army cartridges are all old, collectible, and expensive, and because there are so few guns for it - less than 8,000 Webley's, I believe, plus whatever Colt 1911's the Brit's bought in it that have not been converted to 45 ACP - very few custom loaders ever make it.

There's a liability problem, too; the 455 Webley Auto cartridge will chamber and fire in 455 Eley revolvers, but is much more powerful. There were cases of Webley revolvers bursting from this in WWI.

It's a pity, because the Webley's were beautifully made guns. They were too tightly fitted to make a good military pistol, really. The grip doesn't look like a good shape, but all the rear sights are adjustable for windage, at least.

A fellow named Gordon Bruce wrote an excellent book about all the Webley automatics pistols 10 or 15 years ago. There's another one called "Worldwide Webley" that included the Webley based H&R automatics, but I forget the author's name.

[varifleman]

I've got the .455 Automatic bullets, brass and loading dies from Buffalo Arms and will load some and see how it shoots along with my .455 Webley 1917 British Amry contract Colt Government Model pistol. The original ammo is indeed too scare and valuable to shoot.

[soundguy]

my buddy has what looks like an old colt revolver marked 455 eley

is that the same as 455 webley? IE.. the hornady 455 webley revolver ammo i found. ? would that be acceptable for that colt revolver marked 455 eley?

[Alpo]

The 455 Colt, aka 455 Eley, is slightly longer than 455 Webley. Otherwise they are the same dimensions.

Shooting Webley ammo in a Colt gun would be kinda like shooting shorts in a long rifle, or 2 3/4 shells in a 3" gun. Won't hurt a bit.

[soundguy]

interesting thanks!

[varifleman]

http://www.awm.gov.au/collection/G00523/
Here's a link showing Commander Samson Royal Naval Air Service holding this type Model 1913 MK1-N in hand. The boxy breech block and exposed barrel are clearly visible. A neat photo showing actual use of this pistol during WWI.

[Lanrezac]

Thanks, varifleman! I'd very much like to hear about how shooting your Webley goes. There are very few range reports about them.

[Max Donovan]

I shoot my W&S 455 Mk I several times a year. Powerful and accurate. AND, it is easy to find the brass because it lands on my hat brim. Lee makes the exact, perfect mold for this cartridge, but they catalog it for the Ruger Old Army. Lub and size it .456".

[varifleman]

Originally Posted by Max Donovan

I shoot my W&S 455 Mk I several times a year. Powerful and accurate. AND, it is easy to find the brass because it lands on my hat brim. Lee makes the exact, perfect mold for this cartridge, but they catalog it for the Ruger Old Army. Lub and size it .456".

Max; thanks for your comment. Can you post loa details for your .455 Webley automatic rounds?