GUN SPRING 2016
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/14/2016
PROTOTYPE WEBLEY M1910, HAMMERLESS, NO GRIP SAFETY, IN-THE-WHITE. WEBLEY & SCOTT M1910 46504 .38 MODERN; IMPORT Cal. 38. Very early in-the-white prototype M1910 hammerless, single action with no grip safety, having many features that differ from later standard production pistols. Differences include: a short extractor; a unique rear sight that, while horizontally adjustable, is secured by a much smaller screw; slide-mounted takedown button without retaining screw (just as used in the M1906 Prototype U.S. test pistol); a differently configured safety/stripping lever that does not expose a "SAFE" marking; wood grips and a non-standard magazine housing (magazine missing; standard mag. will not enter housing). Operation is the same as per standard guns in that the retracted slide is released by rotating the frame-mounted serrated lever counterclockwise. In this position, the gun will fire. Placing the gun on safe requires the lever be rotated horizontally. As per the later guns, this pistol has a 5" bbl and a slide marked with a winged bullet W&S logo followed by the 3-line address: WEBLEY & SCOTT LTD. / LONDON & BIRMINGHAM / .38 AUTOMATIC PISTOL". Usual British proofing on top of the chamber, slide & right tang. The only other marking on the frame is the SN "46504" applied to the left tang which is far below those of the production M1910 series that commenced at 55700, Webley records confirming manufacture of a batch of 4 pistols (sns 46501 – 46504) finished on 8 April 1910. Smooth wood grips, each retained by central screw within an escutcheon. No magazine and, as noted above, a standard magazine will not fit this pistol. PROVENANCE: Collection of Dr. Geoffrey Sturgess. CONDITION: Approx 95% dulled, in-the-white surface, the balance covered with staining & patchy patina. Excellent condition grips, the much lighter wood on left panel & gap around screw escutcheon suggesting replacement. Bright bore with strong rifling, minimal oxidation. Perfect manual mechanics. An incredibly rare Webley prototype, previously unknown to this cataloger. 43475-289 LMA (3,500-5,000)