April 24-25, 2019 Extraordinary, Sporting, & Collector Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/25/2019
Offered is a scarce Webley Model 1892 W.G. (Webley-Green) once owned by Captain J. Summers, R.A.F (engraved on left sideplate). This fine condition revolver is standard in all respects with the high post front sight, blued finish, six shot, double action, top break with smooth walnut grips, and lanyard ring. The top of the barrel is stamped with the retailer "Boss & Co 75. St. James St, London". CONDITION: The octagon barrel retains approximately 85% of the factory blue finish with the balance a smooth gunmetal grey with high edge wear. The cylinder retains approximately the same amount of brilliant blue with the "BV" crown proofs stamped on each flute. Left side of barrel has the "BV" crown proof as well. The frame retains 70% original high polish blue. Left side of frame is stamped "Webley Patents W&S" with their winged bullet logo. "Captain J. Summers" engraved on the left side. Right side of frame has the "BV" crown proof. Grip straps have greyed out. Extremely sharp bore. Cylinder indexes and locks up as new. This revolver comes in an original brown flap holster that has four factory attached cartridge loops. The W.G. Army revolver with 6" barrel was a favorite with the British officers and known for its accuracy and dependability. The Royal Air Corps became the Royal Air Force in 1918. What makes this revolver unique is the historical significance of events surrounding Captain Summers and his place in history. Captain J. Summers was born in Shameen, Canton China in 1894. As a young man, he joined the Royal Flying Corps in April of 1915. He was a commissioned second Lieutenant and received his aviator license No. 2154 December 13th of that year. While flying his Sopwith Camel on a mission on August 12th of 1918, he was shot down by none other than Lothar Von Richthofen, the brother of the famed Red Baron, Manfred. The victory was to be Von Richthofen's last. Summers survived the crash and was sent to the German prison camp but this was the age of chivalry and cavaliers and Summers was actually entertained by Von Richthofen and the entire Flying Circus that had gained so much fame under Lothar's brother, the Red Baron. Summers was released in December of 1918 but remained with the RAF and was commissioned Captain in August of 1919, retiring from the service in 1943. During his exploits as a flyer in World War I, he was credited with eight victories (kills) and was awarded the military cross. A brief history of Lothar shows he was active as a flyer from 1914 to 1918. When comparing the two brothers, Lothar is considered the better of the two. He scored 24 victories in the skies in 47 days while flying with the Red Baron and was credited with 40 confirmed kills. His victory over Summers on August 12th, 1918 was to be his final one, occurring less than four months after the death of his brother at the hands of another British Ace Albert Ball, who was also a member of Summers' 209th Fighter Squadron at the time. A beautiful revolver with a storied history. Since Captain Summers spent the remainder of the war as a POW it is unknown if this revolver was carried and returned to him or was purchased soon after. He did not have a revolver in his possession as a POW but in all likelihood the Germans returned his weapon at the end of hostilities. Sold with numerous original and printed documents, including a copy of "Practical Air Navigation", a book Summers wrote and published in 1942.