Brothers James and Philip Webley would together start what would become the most successful English revolver company to be established in England in the 19^th century. James, the elder Webley, was born in 1807 and established himself in the trade by the time that his younger brother Philip (born in 1813) was done with his apprenticeship. Both Webley’s initially worked as gunlock filers and gun lock makers, as well as “percussioners”, and by the mid-1830s were working together in that capacity on Weaman Street in Birmingham. James Webley was also working on producing his own complete firearms to sell under his own name, and by 1835 had a retail outlet at 14 St. Mary’s Row in St. Mary’s Square. In 1838 young Philip “acquired” the gun implement making company of William Davis by marriage to his daughter Caroline. Davis, a noted bullet mold and implement maker has passed away in 1831 and his wife Sarah and his daughter Caroline had continued to run the business until Philip married into the family. From that point, the Webley story centered on the old Davis business location at 84 Weaman Street and would eventually expand to include #81-#91 Weaman Street. 

In 1845, at the age of 32, Philip was in a position to purchase the business from Davis’s widow. By the early 1850s the Webley brothers were producing, both alone and in joint venture, a variety of small arms including single shot percussion pistols, various repeating pistols such as pepperboxes, “transitional” pistols and early single and double action designs, as well as “ships pistols”, muskets and various long arms. Their customer list included the two largest and most important gun buyers of the era in England, the Honorable Board of Ordnance (the British Military) and the Honorable East India Company; whose private army protected the company’s investments around the world and was one of the largest and best-equipped fighting forces of the time. 

In 1853 the genesis of what would be the most lucrative part of the Webley business going forward occurred, James Webley’s design patents were filed for what would become known as the Webley “Long Spur” revolver. The patent was number 743, granted March 29, 1853, for a new single action revolver design. The revolver was a percussion ignition handgun with a unique grip angle and a long, low, extended hammer spur that made the cocking of the action very fast. The design used the typical “open top” frame of the period but had a hinged connection between the barrel and the frame, forward of the cylinder, that allowed the barrel to be tilted down with the removal of a wedge forward of the cylinder. This wedge engaged a slot in the cylinder arbor, much like with a Colt revolver, but the wedge was slotted and captive like a shotgun wedge of the time. After the wedge was easily removed the barrel could be tilted down, and the cylinder could be quickly removed for loading. In fact, period reports noted that the Webley design with its odd-looking hammer was faster to shoot that a Colt revolver and the hinged frame made the gun faster to reload than a Colt. The initial design did not include a loading lever, but like most British revolver designs of the early 1850s, loading levers were soon introduced in a variety of patterns, and these changes made up much of the subsequent “types” or “models” in the series of Long Spur handguns that were produced by the Webleys.

The “Long Spur” was a handcrafted elegant piece, which was exceptionally well made within the limitations of their small format business of the time. However, the quality that went along with master craftsmen building the guns by hand meant two things; first, the interchangeability of parts was limited at best and second, the guns tended to be expensive. As a result, the Webleys had a hard time competing with their biggest competitor in single action revolvers in England at the time, Samuel Colt. Colt had established his manufactory in London in 1851 after The Great Exhibition, and the Webleys could not compete with the Colt product on the basis of price, as the Colt revolvers were manufactured on the “American System” of manufacturer, relying upon interchangeable parts and an assembly line production system. This motivated Philip in particular to pursue both theories of modern production and to put significant effort and monies into the building of interchangeable parts guns in an assembly line fashion. In 1856 James Webley died, and Philip was left to lead the company forward. The following year Colt closed his London manufactory and left Philip Webley in the unique position of being able to fill the void left by the closing of the Colt plant. 

Webley had himself taken out two revolver patents in 1853 (#305 on February 4th and 2127 on September 14) for “improvements to revolver lock mechanisms” and these patents would form the basis for his famous “Wedge Frame” revolver design that would help establish Webley as a premier maker of that style of handgun. In 1860 Webley’s two sons Thomas and Henry joined the company and it was renamed P. Webley & Son, with locations in Birmingham and London. Over the next few decades, Webley would become the premier English revolver maker with such famous designs as the Webley-Pryse series of revolvers, the Webley RIC (Royal Irish Constabulary), the “British Bulldog”, the Webley-Fosbery, the Webley “Mark” series of revolvers (Marks I – VI), the Webley Government Model revolvers in .476 and .38, the Webley-Green, and even a line of semi-automatic handguns after the turn of the century. In 1877 the firm began to absorb large, old time Birmingham makers with the acquisition of Tipping & Lawden. In 1897 they acquired Richard Ellis & Company and the long-time firm W. & C. Scott. At that time, the firm changed their name to The Webley & Scott Revolver & Arms Company. The success of the company continued through the Great War, but the enactment of the UK Firearms Act of 1920 significantly restricted gun ownership among English civilians, making it difficult for the average Englishmen to own a firearm. As a result, the firm’s sales of handguns were significantly curtailed due to the new restrictions. The left their only major handgun customer the British military, who maintained the Webley & Scott revolvers as their standard sidearm until 1964. As a result of the new market constraints that they were forced to work with, the firm searched for other markets to explore. In 1924 they entered the air gun market and remain a major player in that field to this day. They also expanded their line of sporting arms, becoming a well-regarded maker of high-end shotguns and double rifles. Webley & Scott has passed through a number of hands since the mid-1900s and remains in business today making high grade sporting arms and air guns.

The Webley “Long Spur” was a particularly important gun in the history of the Webley firm due to the fact it was their first in-house design and is referred to on the current company’s web site as their “first production revolver”. Due to the slow production process and expense of the guns, they were not manufactured in large quantities, with only a couple of thousand likely to have been produced between late 1853 and end of the 1850s. By the end of that decade the assembly line manufacture of more modern, double-action designs like Webley’s “Wedge Frame” had eclipsed the “Long Spur” and relegated it to a mere footnote in firearms history. The “Long Spur” was produced in three basic sizes and three basic models. The sizes were a “Small” (pocket), "Middle" (belt) and "Large" (holster) model. The pocket model was typically a 120-Bore (about .34 caliber), six chambered handgun with a short barrel that was typically 3 ½” - 4” long and was intended for pocket carry. The belt model was sized for carry in a belt holster and was a five chambered revolver typically in 60-Bore (about .43 caliber) with a longer barrel that generally measured 4 ½” - 5”. The holster model, or what might be termed a “dragoon” model during the period, was a much larger gun and was intended to be carried in pommel holsters. It was manufactured in 48-Bore (about .46 caliber). This was also a five chambered revolver with a longer barrel that typically measured between 6 ½” - 7”. With the exception of a handful of 1st Model Pocket Revolvers, all of the Long Spur models were rifled with three broad lands and grooves, with the grooves being deeper than typically encountered on 19th century revolvers. Again, with the exception of a handful of 1st Model Pocket Revolvers, all Webley Long Spurs have cylinders that rotate clockwise. The 1st Model revolvers were produced without a loading lever and had the hinged frame previously discussed. The 2nd Model revolvers added a loading lever on the right side of the frame that was secured under the cylinder when not in use. This system was substantially different from most loading levers in use at the time. Many 1st Model revolvers were subsequently upgraded to 2nd Model standards with the addition of the loading lever. The 2nd Model also retained the hinged frame system. The 3rd Model revolvers introduced a pair of substantial changes. First the hinged frame was abandoned, and the new design used a threaded arbor pin that the barrel web screwed on to and a thumbscrew that projected from the bottom of the frame junction was used to keep the barrel from being unscrewed from the arbor. The second change was to adopt a more conventional loading hinged loading lever that was attached to the left side of the barrel web was and secured against the left side of the barrel when not in use. The lever substantially resembled that patented by James Kerr of the London Armoury Company, which was used on many M1854 Beaumont-Adams revolvers as well as the Kerr Revolvers. Other than the changes in the loading lever system and the eventual change in the frame attachments systems, most Long Spurs were essentially identical across the three models. The all had the uniquely shaped, elegant frame, long, low hammer spur, octagonal barrels and two-piece checkered wood grips. The presence of a lanyard ring in the bottom of the grip frame certainly suggests that military contracts were their primary goal with the design. While no official contracts are known, it is assumed that a number of the larger caliber revolvers probably saw service in the Crimea and during the Indian Mutiny with British military officers that were required to provide their own arms, equipment and uniforms. In typical Webley fashion, the cylinder chambers were numbered. The guns were usually engraved with flowing floral scrolls and while not of the highest quality it was significantly better work than found on the more pedestrian arms of the period. The backstraps of the guns were engraved BY HER MAJESTY’S ROYAL LETTERS PATENT, and the side plates or barrel webs of the guns were typically engraved JAMES WEBLEY PATENTEE or something similar. If the gun was offered by a London or Birmingham retailer other than Webley, that retailer’s name was usually engraved on the barrel as well. Those guns sold in Birmingham or to the English gun trade from Birmingham were marked with Birmingham proof marks, while the handful of guns sold by London retailers usually had London Proof House inspection marks. The revolvers were serial numbered, with the primary number engraved on the top of the backstrap and most of the major components stamped with the same number or an assembly number. The guns were typically blued, with case hardened hammers. Like the Colt revolvers of the era, a small extension hood on the top of the hammer served to keep broken percussion caps from flying back in the face of the shooter. Like the Colt, the nose of this extension was also notched to provide a rear sight when the hammer was cocked. Unlike the Colt the extension hood, the Webley hood was quite thin and prone to breakage. William Dowell, author of the definitive work on Webley, The Webley Story, notes that more than half of the Long Spur revolvers that he has examined show this piece to be broken or repaired. He further notes that due to the relatively small production run of these guns, and their expense during the time of production that all sizes and models of Long Spur revolvers are quite scarce, and they are often the centerpieces of an advanced English revolver collection when one can be found for sale.

Offered here is a VERY FINE condition example of a Cased 3^rd  Model Webley Long Spur Holster Revolver. As would be expected this 3^rd Model revolver has the threaded arbor pin and thumb screw system that secure the barrel to the frame and is mounted with a Kerr style loading lever on the left side of the gun. The revolver also includes an uncommon sliding safety on the left side of the frame. The safety can be engaged when the hammer is down, preventing the hammer from being cocked or when the hammer is in the half cock position. When engaged at half cock, the safety prevents the hammer from moving and would likely be handy for loading as with the hammer at half cock the cylinder is free to rotate. The 48-Bore revolver has a 6 ¾” octagonal barrel with a muzzle that measures about .46” and a forcing cone that measures about .480”. The five cylinder chambers all measure about .468” +/- .01 and are marked with the expected chamber numbers from 1 to 5. The right side of the barrel web is engraved in two lines: 

WEBLEY’S

PATENT

The backstrap is engraved in a single line: 

BY HER MAJESTY’S ROYAL LETTERS PATENT

with the serial number 1023 engraved horizontally above the patent notice. The barrel is engraved with a retailer mark that reads:

WILKINSON & SON PALL MALL LONDON

The famous London based Wilkinson Sword Company can trace its roots to renowned London gunmaker Henry Nock who had established himself in that business in 1772. James Wilkinson was Nock’s son-in-law, and was the manager of Nock’s business, which became Nock & Wilkinson in 1785. Wilkinson continued to run the business as James Wilkinson, after Nock’s death in 1804.  In 1818 James’ son John would join the business, creating Wilkinson & Son. In 1829 the business moved to their famous Pall Mall address in London, where they would remain through 1888. In 1848 James passed the business on to his son Henry Wilkinson. In 1861 Henry died and the business passed to manager John Latham, and much like the passing of Nock’s business to Wilkinson, the Wilkinson business was now owned by a person whose name was not that of the company. It was during the mid-19th century that Latham changed the general direction of the business from firearms production to the production of swords and edged weapons, although they continued to retail firearms of all types well into the 20th century. In 1888, Latham’s son established the Wilkinson Sword Company, LTD, which was reorganized as Wilkinson Sword LTD in 1909. During the 19th century Wilkinson retailed a large number of firearms, primarily produced by various Birmingham gunmakers, rather than in the Wilkinson shop.  Later in the 19^th century, Wilkinson developed a very close relationship with the firm of Webley & Son (later Webley & Scott) and offered many of the firearms produced by that company for sale. This relationship also resulted in the Wilkinson-Webley revolver. The Wilkinson Company started to serial number firearms and blades during the 1850s and maintained fastidious records regarding the sales of these arms. Today, many Wilkinson retailed arms can be researched by serial number, and a “factory letter”, much like the Colt factory research letter can often be obtained for Wilkinson retailed arms. A research letter regarding specific Wilkinson retailed arms can be order through Richard Milner LTD it the United Kingdom. Research order forms can be obtained through the web site: www.armsresearch.co.uk. Today, Wilkinson retailer marked firearms are not often encountered on the collector market, particularly those from the percussion era, and as such these firearms are extremely collectible and desirable. The presence of the Wilkinson retailer mark on the revolver is not only a rare and desirable mark but also represents a period in time when the Webley and Wilkinson firms were starting to develop a very close business relationship that would last nearly a century.

The revolver is in VERY FINE condition overall, and the appropriate markings have been discussed above. The serial number, 1023 is found throughout the gun, including on the rear face of the cylinder, on the cylinder arbor pin, on the inside of the frame and on the rear face of the barrel web. The two-piece checkered grips are also stamp numbered 1023on their interior surfaces. The gun is elegantly engraved with tight floral Arabesque scrolls on the frame with complimentary floral engraving on the butt cap, hammer and trigger guard. The gun is 100% original and correct in every way with the exception of the lanyard ring which is missing from the butt of the revolver. The gun retains about 60%+ of its original blued finish overall, most of which has faded, dulled and worn to some degree. Only some of the protected areas of the frame retain any bright blue, as does the triggerguard. The balance of the frame has an attractive muted brownish gray patina. The barrel retains about 50%+ thinning and fading blue with the areas of brightest blue in the more protected area like the barrel web, bottom of the barrel and on the left side where it was protected by the loading lever. The cylinder retains about 75% of its blue, which is dulling and has flaked, leaving a dull brownish-gray patina where the blue has worn away. The loading lever retains about 45%+ of its bright fire blued finish, with the portion of the lever that is handled and used the most having a mostly dull, pewter gray patina. The metal is almost entirely smooth and free of any pitting, although some scattered freckles of oxidized discoloration and some tiny areas of lightly oxidized roughness do appear here and there. The markings and engraving remain clear and sharp throughout the gun. The cylinder chambers are clearly numbered 1 though 5 and the usual Birmingham commercial proof marks are crisply stamped between them. A pair of Birmingham commercial proofs are also stamped on the bottom of the barrel, forward of the barrel web. The gun is mechanically EXCELLENT and times, indexes and locks up perfectly. The frame mounted safety operates smoothly and as it should. The cylinder retains all of its original cones (nipples), and they are all in fine, crisp condition. The hammer remains crisp and sharp and retains the original notched sighting hood at its nose, which is undamaged. The hammer retains lovely scroll engraving and a finely checkered spur. The original loading lever is secured to the left side of the barrel and remains fully functional. 

The bore of the revolver rates VERY GOOD+ and remains partly bright with strong three-groove rifling its entire length. The bore shows moderate amounts of oxidation scattered pitting along its length as well as some moderate frosting in the grooves. The two-piece checkered walnut grips are in FINE condition. They are solid and complete with no breaks, cracks, chips or repairs noted. The grips show some minor wear and flattening to the checkering, and a few minor handling bumps and dings, but are otherwise very crisp and sharp.

The revolver is contained in a brass mounted English retailer case that was likely commissioned and sold by Wilkinson. The keyed case has brass reinforced corners and an escutcheon plate in the top of the lid and the usual brass “bible” hinges. The case remains in about VERY GOOD condition with much of the finish intact, the expected scattered scuffs and mars that such a travel case often received in use and some tight grain cracks in the lid. The compartmentalized case has the traditional dark green baize lining that shows moderate wear and loss, some discoloration and some heavier wear, like where the front sight blade has worn some of the fabric away. As would be expected the casing includes a variety of accessories for the care and feeding of the revolver. The accessories include:

1) An appropriate “46” bore single cavity brass bullet mold that is actually marked “54” on one handle, suggesting it is “54-Bore” or .442 caliber. However, the mold is designed with removable mold block inserts that are secured by screws to the mold body. The cavity casts a single conical bullet with a very deep grease groove that appears to be a sort of compression design and measures nominally .455” at the widest point of the base, is .444” above the compression grease groove and has an overall length of .44”. The mold has a blued steel sprue cutter. The mold remains in VERY FINE condition with a bright golden patina, much of the blue on the sprue cutter and a fine, crisp cavity.

2) An unmarked English bag style copper pistol flask with an adjustable spout that remains in about FINE condition as well, with much of its finish intact, some minor dings and a fully functional charger with a lovely fire blued spring.

3) A FINE condition unmarked pewter oiler.

4) A FINE brass tipped rosewood cleaning and clearing rod with a ball puller covered by the removable rammer head.

5) A VERY GOOD ivory container for spare cones (nipples) with a screw-off top that is decorated with concentric rings. 

6) A FINE condition bright steel ebony handled cone wrench with a screw-out cone prick concealed in the base of the handle.

7) A FINE condition ebony handled turnscrew.

8) A VERY GOOD condition Eley cap tin with faded paper label that notes that it originally contained 250 “Magnum Sized Percussion Cap”.

9) A hinged tin container with some lead bullets in it, some incorrect for the revolver but a couple clearly made in the accompanying mold. 

The accoutrements are all period and at least some, most notably the mold, are almost certainly original to the casing, although tools and accessories like these were often lost and replaced during the period of use, as well as in the decades that followed. The accessories are all very nice and display wonderfully with the cased set.

Overall, this is a really wonderful example of an extremely rare Cased 3rd Model Webley Long Spur Holster Revolver in VERY FINE condition with a rare and desirable Wilkinson & Son retailer’s mark. Because many of the Wilkinson records survive, it is possible that by securing a letter from the source noted above the buyer may be able to find out when and to whom the revolver was sold. Realistically the revolver likely belonged an English officer, either of the regular army or possibly of Volunteers. The time period of the gun suggests that it may have traveled the world and seen service in such far-flung corners of the globe as India during the India Mutiny or in Crimea during the Crimean War. This is a really lovely and very crisp gun with a wonderful casing and accessories which will no doubt be a fine addition to your collection.

ON HOLD/LAYAWAY