Top break revolvers
- Thread starter Kurusu
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S&WsRsweet
Member
Those are pretty nice or should I say pretty and nice or nice and pretty either way I like em .Wow I just noticed tne bottom one has cartridges in it .I have always had a soft spot for anything with RAF on it too .Give us the lowdown what's the story on these they obviously have some history.
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History they will have for sure. The Webley is from 1915 (first production year). The Enfield is from 1934 and escaped the infamous "bobbing" of the hammer spur, maybe because it was RAF.
Besides that I don't know anything of their past. Just feel lucky they crossed my path.
PS. Those are empty cases in the Enfield. I made them into snap caps.
vonn
US Veteran
Military handguns are among my favorites and those look good. Do you shoot them?
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Bakebfr480
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Very nice!
Andy Lowry
Member
I think I see an excellent opportunity to establish a black market. Pre-1900 top breaks aren't very expensive hereabouts. There's a store within walking distance of me that has a half-dozen, each of which is around $100. Mostly H&R, and a Hopkins & Allen that I've definitely thought about.
I guess I'll need a big sailboat and directions to Portugal.
I guess I'll need a big sailboat and directions to Portugal.
The short answer is yes.
But not frequently.
The Webley is a very recent aquisition, it has not been to the range yet.
The Enfield groups very well at 25 meters, but stupidly high. Of course I only had commercial .38 S & W rounds, the bullits are too light, I will reload with the proper .200 gr bullit and I believe point of impact/point of aim will get more reasonable.
Even though I still haven't shot my Webley. I did shot one once. And the accuracy was outstanding. Have high expectations on this one. The barrel is pristine.
Out of New York, sail straight ahead East. You can't miss us.
We are the westmost tip of Europe.
And for your information. If manufactured before 1890, they aren't even considered firearms anymore.
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S&WsRsweet
Member
Now that we have friends there I say we plan a trip to Potugal we can hang out with Kurusu and shoot and sell guns to pay for it all the kicker is the trip being business is tax deductible .
Andy Lowry
Member
Out of New York, sail straight ahead East. You can't miss us.
We are the westmost tip of Europe.
And for your information. If manufactured before 1890, they aren't even considered firearms anymore.
It's 1899 here. Heck, seems like somebody could just mail you some. Sure be cheaper than a sailboat, and I wouldn't have to take a chance on winding up in Greenland due to my being directionally challenged.
Absalom
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
I love that Enfield. The early models with the spur hammer are not common over here. And it has the prettiest early wood stocks I've ever seen
No infamous bobbing ever happened, by the way. Until 1938, the Enfield No 2 Mk I was built with a spurred hammer. Then as a general engineering change, the spurless hammer was introduced, and all Enfields, No 2 Mk I* and Mk I**, had no spurs and actually evolved into true DA-only revolvers.
While it seems to be documented that the change was initially suggested from within the Royal Tank Corps (some early pre-1938 special orders went to them), calling the spurless Enfield the "tanker model" as some people do is nonsense. The general change was tied to simplifying production, as well as evolving handgun doctrine.
I love that Enfield. The early models with the spur hammer are not common over here. And it has the prettiest early wood stocks I've ever seen
No infamous bobbing ever happened, by the way. Until 1938, the Enfield No 2 Mk I was built with a spurred hammer. Then as a general engineering change, the spurless hammer was introduced, and all Enfields, No 2 Mk I* and Mk I**, had no spurs and actually evolved into true DA-only revolvers.
While it seems to be documented that the change was initially suggested from within the Royal Tank Corps (some early pre-1938 special orders went to them), calling the spurless Enfield the "tanker model" as some people do is nonsense. The general change was tied to simplifying production, as well as evolving handgun doctrine.
I was convinced that those who went for repair after 1938 were "upgraded"
to Mk I* standard.Edit. And yes that "tanker" story is a load of BS.
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The shooting part of it is when it gets complicated. Once here, you'll have to follow the "Law of the Land", and there will be no shooting allowed without a valid permit(only outlaws can do that
). This is redtape paradise. Most European countries are.
I have 4 different gun permits.
Absalom
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
I was convinced that those who went for repair after 1938 were "upgraded"
I've heard that, but it would make little sense if one accepts that the spur disappeared for production reasons and because anticipated revolver use made it unnecessary, not because it was in the way.
Looking at the types of holsters, both shoulder and belt rigs, worn by the British Army at the time, it isn't clear at all anyway how the spur could ever get caught on anything or be an issue, but the evidence of those initial special Tank Corps orders seems solid.
I just did a quick search for pictures. And found no evidence of earlier models with a bobbed spur.
But I think I read it somewhere(working fast on being an old fart I guess ).Edit. I think an airplane cockpit would be even more cramped and snag prone than a tank.
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Absalom
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
While we're showing off Britidh topbreaks
Enfield No 2 Mk I**, Jan. 1943
.38 Webley Mk IV, Nov. 1941 (5", Ministry of Supply, London)
.38 Webley Mk IV, Jan. 1951 (4", Ontario Provincial Police, Toronto)
I haven't "warmed up" to the Webley Mk IV. At least not yet.
Absalom
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
I haven't "warmed up" to the Webley Mk IV. At least not yet.
If you're into the history (as I obviously am), the best thing about the Webleys is that for a measly £28/$41, Richard Milner will letter your gun and send you a color copy of the original invoice; best service for any gun I'm aware of. On the Canadian police gun, I even know which ship it took across
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If you're into the history (as I obviously am), the best thing about the Webleys is that for a measly £28/$41, Richard Milner will letter your gun and send you a color copy of the original invoice; best service for any gun I'm aware of. On the Canadian police gun, I even know which ship it took across
So. You may like to know, if you already don't, that S.S. Beaverburn (1944) was sold for scrap in 1971.
Here under her third name.
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I have had two Webleys-a 4" MKIV and a 4" MKV. The MKIV was still a .455 and I used CIL ammo, back in the mid '70s. Wound up selling that one to a friend.
The MKV has been converted to .45ACP/.45 Auto Rim. I still have that one. While I have shot factory .45 ACPs through it in the past, from here on out, due to the pressure limits, I'll run some milder loads through it next time I shoot it.
The MKV has been converted to .45ACP/.45 Auto Rim. I still have that one. While I have shot factory .45 ACPs through it in the past, from here on out, due to the pressure limits, I'll run some milder loads through it next time I shoot it.
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