From: bakc@giraffe.ru.ac.za (MR KR COMAN)
Newsgroups: rec.guns
Subject: Webley .455 Revolvers
Date: 24 Jul 92 14:34:01 GMT
Organization: Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa

I just picked up the thread about Webley revolvers.  The following might 
be of interest.

I own two. A Mark 4 made in about 1900 and issued to an artillery unit
serving in the Anglo-Boer war.  This is in fine original condition and
shoots very well, although the bird's head grip makes control a bit of 
a struggle until you've put in some practice.   The Mark 4 BTW had a 
4 inch barrel.   The standard of manufacture and general fit and finish
is of a very high order, it was very clearly made by skilled craftsmen.
Commercial ammo (Fiocci) aren't digested too well, I believe because the
bearing surfaces of the bullet head are a bit short.  (The Fiocchi rounds
are also IMHO use a powder that is a bit too powerful)  I get good results
with 200gr .45 combat-type bullet heads designed for the Colt 1911.
The Mark 4 was general issue to a wide range of British troops between 1890's
and WW1 -- especially artillerymen, mounted infantry, machine gunners, and
transport drivers.

The 2nd is a 1918 made Mark 6 (again in .455).  This was WW1 British std
for officers and NCO's  of the above mentioned categories generally.  This
one is also in good condition, although it has surface rust pits from bad
storage at some time in the past.   This is a very accurate handgun -- the 
grip shape and 6 inch barrel helping a great deal here.  It is absolute
bulls**t that the Webley was an hopelessly inaccurate gun!!!   Most of my 
shooting has been with Fiocchi ammo (which has been an expensive source of
frustration -- even the cases are made of such thin brass that reloading
crumples are common) and handloads made from adapted .45 Long Colt cases 
with the above 200gr heads.

My brother also has a Mark 4 which he uses as a daily carry gun.  He reloads
with 265 gr heads.   BTW he won a "Boer War" recreation shooting competition
using this particular gun and load -- no mean feat, the guy who came 2nd 
used a .455 Webley-Fosbery, a gun that was considered so accurate that it
was banned from official target competitions in the early decades of the C.

BTW for shooting purposes, there are the following choices: 1. Fiocchi
factory ammo -- expensive and inaccurate IMO.  2. 45 Long Colt cases cut
down and the rim trimmed -- strong durable  3. UK sourced cases -- my
brother raves about them.    Bullet heads -- any .45 Colt 1911 heads will
do.  Purpose-designed .455 Webley bullet heads are also available, as well
as suitable lead moulds.   If you're really stuck, you can even take .45
Colt 1911 cases and using a drift, peen a "rim" onto them.  BUT DON'T BE
DUMB AND TAKE A CHANCE BY FIRING .45 COLT 1911 ROUNDS THROUGH A WEBLEY --
I haven't tried this and know of no one who has, work within the 
parameters chaps.

Finally, the whole subject of Webleys and their shooting is vast.  What
I've tried to do here is to OUTLINE some of the possibilities based on
personal experience.  There is no question that some time spent a good 
reference library, and checking out back issues of UK shooting magazines
cannot give a good answer to.  No offence, but the US gun mags tend to be
a bit weak and superficial on Webley coverage, IMHO. 

Cheers,
Keith Coman

[MODERATOR:  Nice post, Keith, thanks for the summary.]