Webley Mk IV

[JayFramer]

Hey guys! I know I've posted several threads recently about my military handguns, but I just have to share this one other thing with you!

I finally got around to picking up a tanker holster for my Webley Mk IV British service revolver. These holsters are pretty hard to find these days and somewhat pricey, but it was worth it. They were used by tank and vehicle drivers as well as dismounted troops during WW2 and post-war by the British and others. I found one on eBay for a good price and bought it. I also ordered the proper cleaning rod from Wales and it arrived today. Together with some authentic .380 revolver Mk II FMJ cartridges, it's a nice setup for sure:

This drop holster slides right on a belt and carries nicely. I am wearing it right now as I type this. The canvas is extremely thick and high quality. Built in are six cartridge loops for spare ammo and a slot for the cleaning rod. Even after many decades this holster and revolver are still ready for service, it's a great shooter with mild recoil and a smooth, tight action. Just figured I'd share!

Take care,

Jayframer

 

[jimmyj]

Webley or Enfield ??

 

[JayFramer]

Webley or Enfield ??

Though Enfields were the most common, Webley .380s were used plenty.

 

[OLDSTER]

That is really a nice rig

 

[Absalom]

Though Enfields were the most common, Webley .380s were used plenty.

The story is actually quite interesting. Before WW II, when the British military wanted to switch to the .38 caliber, Webley & Scott supposedly down-sized their .455 revolver, and submitted it, but the army had a similar revolver designed at Enfield (government owned) and adopted that as its official new sidearm. Webley actually sued the government claiming they stole Webley's design; don't remember how that turned out.

But with the dramatic expansion of British and Commonwealth forces starting in 1939, Enfield couldn't keep up with demand, leading to Webley supplying quite a large number of their Mark IV as a secondary handgun (just like Smith & Wesson's BSR that we all know so well ). Actually, even the .455 Webley went back into service in substantial numbers.

 

[sailor723]

I believe it was more a case of Webley sending their MK IV to the gov for evaluation and the government factory copying the design. I recall reading that the British government actually either settled or lost that case. Either way they ended up paying Webley for using their design.

Nice rig OP..... That canvas looks like it's in great shape

 

[Absalom]

I believe it was more a case of Webley sending their MK IV to the gov for evaluation and the government factory copying the design. I recall reading that the British government actually either settled or lost that case. Either way they ended up paying Webley for using their design.
.....

I looked it up .

Webley actually lost. Apparently at Enfield they changed the design just enough that their Asst. Superintendent Capt. H.C. Boys (who also invented the Boys anti-tank rifle) could be officially credited with the revolver's design, with "assistance" from Webley & Scott. The company got a consolation prize by way of a monetary award from some Royal Inventions commission.

 

[M1A]

As I said. Much more class than my canvas flap holster.

 

[JayFramer]

As I said. Much more class than my canvas flap holster.

Thanks! And some think drop holsters are a "new" tactical trend!!

 

[Cyrano]

Here's mine. I haven't been able to find a cleaning rod for it yet. Also a picture of the markings on the back. There's a still earlier model that has a longer drop. Evidently it was a little too much of a good thing, for the short drop replaced it.

Thread drift: Here's another drop down holster I got at a gun show in El Paso. Two young men, evidently from the Luftwaffe Air Defense School here showed me how it works. It came wrapped around an svw 45 P 38, assembled after WW II by the French who occupied Oberndorf. The pistol had later been transfered to Austria who marked it and modified the safety a little. They also evidently transfered it to the new, post WW II German armed forces. Somewhere along the line it picked up a set of wood grips.