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Title:	PISTOL, SEMI-AUTOMATIC -  BRITISH PISTOL WEBLEY MkIn .455 SN# 4736
Maker/Manufacturer:	WEBLEY & SCOTT
Date of Manufacture:	1913
Eminent Figure:
Catalog Number:	SPAR 1912
Measurements:	OL: 21.5CM 8 1/2" BL: 12.7CM 5" 2.8 lbs. unloaded

Object Description:

BRITISH PISTOL WEBLEY MkIn .455 SN# 4736
Manufactured by Webley & Scott, Birmingham, England - Standard MkI British service semi-automatic pistol. Exposed hammer. Grip safety. Fixed front, adjustable rear sight. Blued finish with checkered wood grips. Lanyard loop in butt. 6-groove rifling; right hand twist. Weapon weighs approximately 2.8 lbs. unloaded. Complete with 7-round detachable box magazine. Finish slightly worn.

Markings:
Slide: W-S trade mark. WEBLEY & SCOTT LTD./PISTOL SELF-LOADING 455 MARK IN/1913.
Front end of frame and grip safety: 4736.
Trigger: Broad arrow/Crown/B/B2.
Hammer: Broad arrow/Crown/B/B2
Left grip: WRB carved in.

Notes: Adopted by Royal Navy & Marines in 1913. The "N" following MkI inactivates Royal Navy issue.

"The standard United States .45 pistol cartridge may be used in this weapon. However, the .455 cartridge will not chamber in the .45 service rifle.
The only interchangeability of ammunition is occasioned by the fact that the actual bullet diameter of the US .45 Auto cartridge is .4515 inch; which that of the .455 Webley S.L. is actually .455 inch. Thus, while the smaller diameter .45 will chamber in the .455, the reverse is not true. The caliber .455 will be found stamped on the right side of the receiver in this weapon." - Smith

"One of several pistols of similar outline, this was the British Navy's service pistol. Others, in 9mm Browning calibre, were used by South African Police, and they were also sold commercially in .455 and .38 Super calibres. Blowback models, in 6.35mm and 7.65mm calibre, were the same shape, but smaller, and were used by some British police forces until about 1950. They were also sold commercially." - Hogg & Adam

References:
Hogg, Ian & John Weeks. PISTOLS OF THE WORLD. DBI Books, Inc. Northbrook, Il. 1992.
Hogg, Ian & Rob Adam. JANE'S GUN'S RECOGNITION GUIDE. Harper Collins, Glasgow, Scotland. 1996
Hogg, Ian V. & John S. Weeks. MILITARY SMALL ARMS OF THE 20TH CENTURY. 7th Ed. Krause Publications, Iola, Wi. 2000.
Miller, David. THE ILLUSTRATED DIRECTORY OF 20TH CENTURY GUNS. Salamander Books, Ltd. London, England. 2001.