Should you own .455 Webley Hand Ejector Second Model No 61,900…

[mrcvs]

It is identified by serial number in the book Scotland Yard, by Simon Read (Pegasus Crime, 2024) on page 375, as being in the possession George Browne, and confiscated by Scotland Yard on 12 November 1927, one of three guns belonging to Frederick Guy Browne, and confiscated from Browne's garage 7a, Northcote Road, Clapham Junction, or from his residence, 33a Sisters Avenue, Clapham junction.

Browne was convicted of the murder of officer George William Gutteridge in Stapleford Abbotts on 27 September 1927. This revolver was in Browne's possession but likely not the murder weapon.

Should you own this revolver, here's a bit of its history.

Murder of George Gutteridge - Wikipedia

 

[quinn]

One neat thing about the Brits is their documentation and preservation of information. In addition they make it public. In my efforts to locate info from FBI files from the 20s and 30s, I am most often frustrated. Then, there's trying to get anything out of the military...

I enjoyed the article and the increbile detail. Thanks.

 

[handejector]

It's probably the hinges and latch on a garden gate now.

 

[mrcvs]

Clarification:

The Wikipedia page is in error. It states the following:

" In 1927 he was a motor engineer later acquiring his own repair garage at 7a Northcote Road, at Lavender Hill near Clapham Junction called Browne's Globe Garage. This was rented from a Mr Mistlin who owned the Globe Cinema adjacent. Browne had a long criminal record and had served terms in both Parkhurst Prison and Dartmoor Prison. He had several guns including a Webley revolver, and a small automatic Smith & Wesson."

The reference to No 61,900 on page 375 states, as follows: "…a Smith & Wesson no. 61900 fully loaded in six chambers", implying it is a revolver. I stated it to be in .455 as several of Browne's other firearms, including Webley's, were chambered in .455 Webley and .455 Webley is commonplace in Great Britain.