Webley .455 or .45? Holster cut down?

[TP Alexander]

I have someone offering me a WW1 Webley revolver with the holster.
I don't know how to tell an original .455 from a 'shaved down' cylinder for the .45ACP.
I saw that term on another website while researching.
Here are all of the pictures that I got.
Maybe someone can tell from one of them???
Also, is the holster carved up? Shouldn't there be a flap on it???

And what is a ballpark value on these?
I haven't had nor seen one in over 25 years.
Thanx. Happy New Year.
Tim

[TP Alexander]

Has a cleaning rod with it also.

[phild]

The holster looks 100% correct and untouched for the style it is. I agree it looks “different” but it is correct.

The Revolver does not appear to have been shaved to my not so perfect calibrated eyes, the gap looks closer than shaved ones. To be sure open the gun and look carefully at the back of the cylinder and you should clearly see proof type stamps above or below every chamber. When shaved these markings are removed or very near it.

Not sure on value. That looks very worn finish wise but I like it. I would venture a guess with the holster of maybe $600 or so I would like to here from others

[TP Alexander]

The holster looks 100% correct and untouched for the style it is. I agree it looks “different” but it is correct.

The Revolver does not appear to have been shaved to my not so perfect calibrated eyes, the gap looks closer than shaved ones. To be sure open the gun and look carefully at the back of the cylinder and you should clearly see proof type stamps above or below every chamber. When shaved these markings are removed or very near it.

Not sure on value. That looks very worn finish wise but I like it. I would venture a guess with the holster of maybe $600 or so I would like to here from others

Thanx Phil.
Happy New Year!!

[phild]

Thanx Phil.
Happy New Year!!

Please do some checking on value. Probably 90+% of this model (not the earlier pattern) are shaved and have been arsenal refinished after WWI. This one has a great been there look. I really like the holster.

[TP Alexander]

More pictures from the person wanting to sell the Webley

[rajko84]

I agree, I do not think it was modified. It is original

[zimmerit]

Yes, it is unmodified (.455)

[phild]

As stated above it is not modified. I have not really examined one closely in 20 or more years and forgot that the actual chamber pressure proofs were on the outside of each chamber not on the rear, but as the photos show there were markings there and these Are untouched. I handled and fired a number of these going back to the early 1970s. I got to where I could almost always correctly tell if they were modified to .45 auto just by looking at the amount of space between the cylinder and recoil plate.

I found the .45 auto very hot for this gun and don’t think it is a real good idea to shoot them in it or at least at full load, but you don’t have that issue with this one.

[TP Alexander]

Thanx guys.
I’m making an offer to the owner but I’m not going to go real high.
Condition, as anyone can see, isn’t very good.
And why the screws have been turned, I don’t know but someone gouged the hell out of them.
If I don’t get it, I’ll still have a nice day tomorrow.
Happy New Year to all.
Tim

[phild]

It’s funny that you mention the screws. When I would shoot a box of 45 ACP through a shaved one, about every screw in the gun would really loosen! I had to constantly re-tighten them. I would guess the original.455 was not as bad but I think that you are seeing the honest results of maintaining a Webley that was fired a bit