Until I saw this gun on the consignment shelf of my LGS, I had no idea the model even existed. There is little detailed history that I can find on the Internet. This one, with serial number 2088, was likely manufactured before WWI, perhaps around 1913-1915. The basic model itself may have come into production around 1905-1906.
Pulling down on the trigger guard, which is hinged at the front, releases the catch and allows the barrel to pivot down just far enough for a spent shell to be removed and the next round inserted. The trigger pull is light -- 12 oz., according to a gauge. It feels lighter under the finger than the hook of a trigger pull scale measures. I haven't yet opened this pistol up to look at the action, but it currently feels a little weird. When cocking the pistol, the hammer rotates back about 3/16" past the point at which the sear rises into position, and the hammer must then be let down slowly to engage. If the hammer is pulled all the way back and released from that position by lifting the thumb, it will slip past the sear and fall completely. Once properly cocked, there is no problem with push off. A trigger is the simplest reliable way to release it. When cocked, the gun can be opened and a live cartridge removed.
Missing from this gun is a trigger overtravel stop that threads into a hole in the trigger well above the zone where the finger naturally rests. Also missing is a round ornamental base medallion that may have served to retain a metal grip extension that I have seen in a few photos of this model. The finish on the sideplate is better than on the frame, so it may be a replacement.
The rear sight is adjustable both horizontally and vertically. The barrel is 9-7/8" long and the distance between the notch in the rear sight and the vertical face of the front sight is 8-3/4". These measurements may reflect specifications or limits called out in the rules for the particular class of competition in which these pistols were used.
These single-shot Webley & Scott pistols appear to be uncommon in North America. Most were manufactured for use in the British Isles, and probably very few survived the mass collection and destruction of small firearms that occurred there following legislation enacted in 1997. There may now be more of them surviving outside of the UK than in it.
This gun has three proof stamps of the sort familiar on British firearms passed for export, and it also has a small import stamp on the barrel underside: GUNSHOP INC LANCASTER CA. The logo stamped on the frame beside the serial number is the W&S winged bullet.
Haven't shot it yet but plan to after a teardown cleaning and some TLC for the one-piece wooden stock, which has not been treated gently in its earlier existence.
Pulling down on the trigger guard, which is hinged at the front, releases the catch and allows the barrel to pivot down just far enough for a spent shell to be removed and the next round inserted. The trigger pull is light -- 12 oz., according to a gauge. It feels lighter under the finger than the hook of a trigger pull scale measures. I haven't yet opened this pistol up to look at the action, but it currently feels a little weird. When cocking the pistol, the hammer rotates back about 3/16" past the point at which the sear rises into position, and the hammer must then be let down slowly to engage. If the hammer is pulled all the way back and released from that position by lifting the thumb, it will slip past the sear and fall completely. Once properly cocked, there is no problem with push off. A trigger is the simplest reliable way to release it. When cocked, the gun can be opened and a live cartridge removed.
Missing from this gun is a trigger overtravel stop that threads into a hole in the trigger well above the zone where the finger naturally rests. Also missing is a round ornamental base medallion that may have served to retain a metal grip extension that I have seen in a few photos of this model. The finish on the sideplate is better than on the frame, so it may be a replacement.
The rear sight is adjustable both horizontally and vertically. The barrel is 9-7/8" long and the distance between the notch in the rear sight and the vertical face of the front sight is 8-3/4". These measurements may reflect specifications or limits called out in the rules for the particular class of competition in which these pistols were used.
These single-shot Webley & Scott pistols appear to be uncommon in North America. Most were manufactured for use in the British Isles, and probably very few survived the mass collection and destruction of small firearms that occurred there following legislation enacted in 1997. There may now be more of them surviving outside of the UK than in it.
This gun has three proof stamps of the sort familiar on British firearms passed for export, and it also has a small import stamp on the barrel underside: GUNSHOP INC LANCASTER CA. The logo stamped on the frame beside the serial number is the W&S winged bullet.
Haven't shot it yet but plan to after a teardown cleaning and some TLC for the one-piece wooden stock, which has not been treated gently in its earlier existence.
