Original Victorian Belgian Webley-Pryse Style Top Break Double Action Revolver in .44-40 Winchester - circa 1890

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a most interesting 6 shot .44-40 W.C.F. Caliber revolver probably made circa 1880, very much in the Pryse / Webley-Pryse style. There were several versions of this predecessor to the famous Webley Revolver, and this looks closest to the No.4, with the frame latch on both sides. There are no maker or retailer markings at all, though there are proof marks present, as well as a clear BELGIUM on the top front of the frame. It is also marked on the barrel FOR 44 WINCHESTER CARTRIDGE, indicating the chambering. There were a lot of very similar size cartridges in use at the time, and this possibly indicates it may have been aimed at the North American market, where the .44-40 was highly popular as both a rifle and revolver round.

The left side of the frame is marked with 471, which could be a serial number, and there are ★ / AH proofs on the right side of the frame and barrel, which are typical inspection proofs from Liège, Belgium. The right side of the frame also bears a CROWN / R proof over the inspection proof. The rear of the barrel has another ★ / AH proof, along with CROWN / L and E / L G / * in a "Crowned" oval, indicating manufacture and inspection in Liège, Belgium after 1891. This proof had been introduced for exported arms to comply with new proof laws in Germany.

Liège had become a gun-making powerhouse after the Napoleonic wars, and manufactured guns under contract to many firms in the United Kingdom, France, and elsewhere. This meant that they had ample access to the various designs from those countries, with the end result being revolvers such as this, which were very popular with officers in the British Military, who were required to purchase their own arms.

This revolver is a very nice Webley-Pryse style design, top break with a built in ejector, and is a "double action" design. It has the double-sided push button breech release, correct for the No.4 pattern. This was a patented design, which may explain the lack of maker or retailer markings: the maker did not want to encourage litigation. The revolver very much like revolvers produced by Belgian maker Jean Warnant, but is not marked as such. We removed the grips, and there is a [T F] marking on the right side of the grip frame, with VL on the left.

The revolver presents very nicely, produced with a blued finish on the frame and cylinder, and the trigger and hammer look to have originally been case hardened. The blued finish is still well retained in the recessed areas, with the rest worn to a plum patina. There is just a bit of peppering in areas, and no major rust or oxidation. The revolver is fitted with some lovely aged horn grips, which have mellowed to a lovely yellow color. They show just a few small cracks, and no chunks or other damage.

The revolver cycles well in both single and double action, with no major issues to note. There is a just bit of slop in the mechanics, but nothing out of line with a revolver of this age. The frame breaks open correctly, with the ejector properly presenting, though it does not snap back down. We do not know if this is just how it was designed, or whether that function is not currently working.  The bore is in very good condition, showing strong lands and grooves with a partly bright finish. There is a bit of oxidation and fouling in areas, but no major wear. Definitely in very good shape for a black powder era revolver.

This wonderful revolver would have been appropriate for many of the late 19th Century Wars in the British Empire, or possibly for use on the American Frontier. Soon after this revolver was made, smokeless powder was introduced, which revolutionized firearms design, making revolvers like this a thing of the past. Ready to research and display!

Specifications:

Year of Manufacture: circa 1890
Caliber: .44-40 W.C.F.
Ammunition Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Overall Length: 10 1/4 inches
Barrel Length: 5 3/8 inches
Action: External Hammer Double/Single Action
Feed System: 6 Shot Revolver