Item Description
Original Item: Only One Available. The British Police are divided up into County Regions, although in recent years there has been some amalgamation. London became the METROPOLITAN POLICE and traditionally is housed at New Scotland Yard. However, up until the end of WWII they were housed in (OLD) SCOTLAND YARD but this old Victorian building unfortunately became too small and outdated. This however was where the effort to catch "JACK THE RIPPER" was based.
Here is a fantastic British Metropolitan Police Solid-Frame Revolver from that late Victorian time, in a lovely commercial "blued" finish. It comes complete with an original period leather belt holster, intended for left hand use, as well as a lovely well patinated pair of handcuffs / manacles, which really completes the revolver. One could see these having possibly been hung up on the wall in the home of a retired Victorian policeman. Also included is some printed out research material. as well as a period photograph postcard of a British Victorian policeman, which really add to the display and research potential. Note: We do not know if the picture is in any way related to revolver, and the printed sale listing is for a similar revolver, not the one in this offering.
The revolver in this case is actually marked by the manufacturer on the top of the barrel strap on both sides of the sight groove:-
P. WEBLEY & SON
LONDON & BIRMINGHAM
This indicates manufacture by the famous firm of P. Webley & Son, who would later design the famous "Top-Break" Webley Revolver. In 1897 they would merge with W & C Scott and Sons to become The Webley & Scott Revolver and Arms Company Ltd of Birmingham. This ensures that this is a Pre-1899 antique revolver per Federal Law. The left side of the barrel strap is clearly marked POLICE, and the left side of the frame in front of the cylinder is marked with:
WEBLEY'S
(Handcuffed Hands)
M.P.
The revolver is fitted with a very short 2 1/2 inch snub barrel, which is marked with caliber of .450 on the left side of the frame. The lower left side of the frame is marked with serial number 79704, and the bottom of the barrel is marked with shortened number 4047. The cylinder takes 6 cartridges, and is marked on the rear with shortened serial number 704. That makes this a very nice "ALL MATCHING" example, with no major parts swapped out over the years. This revolver has the corret CROWN / CROSSED SCEPTERS / B P C "proof" and CROWN / CROSSED SCEPTER / V "viewed" marks on the right side of the barrel, indicating inspection at the Birmingham Gun Company proofhouse. There are additional "viewed' markings in all of the flutes on the cylinder, as well as on the rear right frame next to the grip.
Overall condition is very nice, with the original bluing well retained on the barrel as well as in the more recessed areas of the frame. The rest of the metalwork is worn to a nice plum and gray patina. The grip is in lovely shape, still retaining sharp checkering and showing no major damage, just some denting on the rear. The lanyard ring on the bottom of the grip is present as well.
The revolver functions well, but only in single action operation, where it has accurate indexing, a firm cylinder lockup, and crisp dry fire. Double Action only works if the hammer is pulled back very slowly, most likely due to wear or a worn spring on the interior, which causes the trigger to slide off the tumbler if pulled too hard.
The loading gate on the right hand side provides access to the chambers for ejection and reloading using the attached ejection rod, which still turns to lock and unlock. The revolver still breaks down correctly, without any real issues to note. We checked the bore, and it is still in very good condition, showing a partly bright finish with clear lands and grooves. There is some past oxidation and fouling in the grooves, so it definitely did see some level of service.
In fine condition with metalwork still retaining much of the original finish and great markings. "A CLASSIC", complete with a great holster and original handcuffs. There is some included research material as well, and with all of this the revolver is ready to display!
Specifications:
Year of Manufacture: circa 1885
Caliber: .450 Adams / Boxer
Ammunition Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Overall Length: 7 1/2 inches
Barrel Length: 2 1/2 inches
Action: External Hammer Double/Single Action
Feed System: 6 Shot Revolver
- This product is not available for shipping in US state(s): New Jersey
This product is not available for international shipping.
IMA considers all of our antique guns as non-firing, inoperable and/or inert. Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 921(a)(16) defines antique firearms as all guns made prior to 1899. This law exempts antique firearms from any form of gun control or special engineering because they are not legally considered firearms. No FFL, C&R or any license is required to possess, transport, sell or trade Antique guns. All rifles and muskets sold by IMA that were manufactured prior to 1899 are considered Antiques by the US BATF (United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms). Therefore, all of IMA's Antique guns may be shipped to most US States and most U.S. territories.
These antique guns are not sold in "live" condition, and are not tested for the the ability to feed or load any type of cartridge. They are sold as collector's items or as "wall hangers" not for use, and we make no guarantees regarding functionality aside from what is stated in the description. Any attempt at restoring an antique gun to be operational is strongly discouraged and is done so at the risk of the customer. By purchasing an antique gun from IMA you thereby release IMA, its employees and corporate officers from any and all liability associated with use of our Antique guns.
Pre-1899 Manufacture, no licenses required, allowed to ship to most addresses within the United States.
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