April 24-25, 2019 Extraordinary, Sporting, & Collector Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/25/2019
Revolver sports 6" barrel, blued finish, top break, double action, six shot, and checkered walnut grips with lanyard ring. Left side top strap is stamped "W.G. Target Model", left side of barrel is stamped "455/476", and left side of frame is stamped "WEBLEY PATENTS" with winged bullet and "W.S.". Has the British broad arrow stamp. Top of barrel is stamped "ARMY & NAVY" and "C.S.L.". Right side of barrel is engraved "CAPT. G.Z. PINDER 49TH Bn C.E.F.". CONDITION: The gun remains in excellent original condition. Correct action and lock up. Mint bore. The barrel and top strap have flaked to a dark grey, smooth patina. The cylinder retains approximately 40% original factory blue, blending patina. The frame retains approximately 70% high polish factory blue starting to turn. The walnut grips are excellent with sharp checkering and some wear. All amazing traits, considering this revolver was in the trenches with Pinder at the Battle of the Somme. The phrase "If this gun could talk" is often heard by collectors and historians alike. Seldom, if ever, does this aspect of a guns' history fully materialize. Every collector knows that a vast majority of military firearms saw service and may have numerous stories to tell, but they have been lost to the ravages of time. This is not the case with this particular revolver. This firearm was once owned and carried in the trenches of the Western Front during the Great War (1914-1918) by Captain G.Z. Pinder (George Zouch Pinder). This is a W.G. Target Model Webley-Greene that was extremely popular with British officers and known for its reliability and accuracy. It was purchased at the Army & Navy store in Ottawa, Canada and is listed by serial number in the Army & Navy co-op society ledgers (the order form for the 49th battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Forces). The order form lists officer revolver purchases by serial number. While fighting on the front lines of the Ypres in the Somme, referred to as the Battle of Hill 60, Zillebeke, Captain Pinder was shot through the lung. The battle was a slaughterhouse. Included with this revolver are the Doctor's drawn diagram indicating the point of entry of the bullet, a hand drawn map of the battle, Pinder's trench position when he was shot, the trench positions of the German and Canadian lines, a copy of a newspaper article stating he was shot through the lung in the battle of Zillebeke, a copy of certificate of his service that lists him as wounded on 4/16/1916 and notation to him as being awarded the Military cross. There is a copy of commendation from King George as well as several copies of pertinent information as it relates to Captain Pinder's service and subsequent injury during the Great War. Overall fine original condition throughout but the real value in this firearm is its storied history. Having been in the front line trenches with the documentation of an Officer who was shot "Going over the Top" in 1916. It is housed in its original leather flap holster that is stamped on back "M. Harvey & Company" and "Walsall G&M 1914" that remains in excellent condition. All of the pertinent paperwork which includes copies of pictures, maps, drawings, news accounts, etc. will be included with this revolver. Enough history and information to write a book.