I just listed a gunbroker auction that has got to be the world's ugliest snubby ever manufactured.
It's a Webley & Scott Ltd. Mark IV .38S&W "War Finish" top-break hinged-frame 6-shooter with a 2-inch barrel.
It's a bit of a mystery as I indicated in the description in the listing.
If this Webley "War Finish" ever had any bluing, it does not now. The bore is worn but unpitted and lands and grooves are clearly defined. The cylinder locks up but not very tightly, perhaps enough to fire anemic .38 S&W safely. We have not test-fired this Webley and will not.
We don't know when it was manufactured, but according to BlueBook, production began after World War I and continued through WWII and into the '70s, so it would seem the "War Finish" refers to WWII. But it does have a very low serial number, 7010. BlueBook's listing does not include a 2"-barrel Webley Mark IV .38, but that's what this is. No C&R licenses, we ship to FFLs only.
Whenever it was made, it sure is ugly. I showed it to the sweet wife after asking her if she wanted to see the world's ugliest snubby and she agreed, saying "That looks like something somebody hammered together out of spare parts." Pretty much. If this ain't the world's ugliest, I'd hate to see a snubby that's uglier.
BlueBook on WEBLEY & SCOTT, LIMITED : REVOLVERS: HINGED FRAME, CENTERFIRE
WEBLEY MARK IV
- .22 LR (scarce), .32 (scarce), .38 S&W, or .380 cal., 3, 4, 5, or 6 (Target) in. barrel, 6 shot, wartime production exceeded 125,000, commerical production approx. 50,000. Mfg. early 1920s to late 1970s.
That sure is an ugly snubby, though I think a Rino snubby would be pretty close.
ReplyDeleteGood enough to whack Germans and Japanese with at range.
ReplyDeleteAnd better than a pointy stick.
-XC
.38S&W, also known as .38 Short, is about powerful enough for an enraged groundhog but not much else. As for whacking Germans and Japs "at range", maybe if the range is pointblank. Maybe with the muzzle again flesh. Personally, I think .38 Special is pretty anemic, give me a .44 Special every time.
ReplyDeleteI've got a a .455 Webley that was converted to 45 autorim, has the barrel cut back to two inches with the original sites remounted.
ReplyDeleteIt may be ugly. the double action trigger pull is a little gritty, but it shoots better than I do and is dependable as the sunrise.
$3Bill
iisian I agree. Any .45 is a good .45, my favorite caliber -- along with .44, .357 Sig, 10mm, 9mm, .357 Magnum, .38 Spl... I love 'em all!
ReplyDeleteHey, I just purchased the same type gun Front site a little different, and it did not have lanyard ring. Same length barrel. Assumed it was a cut down 5 inch gun, but who knows.
ReplyDeleteNot sure if they are cut down, since the hump below the front sight would be hard to add, I would think, but they are awesome little guns, I have not shot my Webley yet, the the Enfield I have sure shoot great. And as far as take down power goes, might not be as big as a 38 spcl, but then again, it is a 38/200, so...it's a pretty heavy piece of lead
ReplyDelete