British, WW2 -c.1945, Webley Mk IV .38/200 Service Revolver, 3-Inch Barrel, War Finish, Serial No. 163801, EU/UK Deactivated - 21

*British, WW2 -c.1945, Webley Mk IV .38/200 Service Revolver, 3-Inch Barrel, War Finish, Serial No. 163801, EU/UK Deactivated*

An original British military Webley Mk IV .38/200 service revolver manufactured by Webley & Scott Ltd during the final year of the Second World War. This desirable late-war example features the scarcer 3-inch barrel, retains its original wartime WAR FINISH, and remains complete with its original black vulcanite Webley grip panels, military lanyard ring and numerous British military inspection and ownership marks.

Serial numbered 163801, the revolver is an honest, highly original example of Britain's standard wartime service sidearm. The top strap is crisply marked "WEBLEY & SCOTT LTD", the left hand side bears the "MARK IV .38" designation and the distinctive "WAR FINISH" marking applied to simplified wartime production. Numerous British military inspection stamps remain throughout, including Crown-over-inspector marks, Broad Arrow ownership marks and matching inspection marks to the cylinder.

The underside of the barrel is correctly stamped "801", matching the final three digits of the revolver's serial number, whilst the cylinder retains factory assembly number 122668, entirely consistent with wartime Webley production practice. The original black vulcanite grip panels remain fitted with sharply moulded WEBLEY roundels, and the original military lanyard ring is retained to the butt.

Unlike many modern EU specification deactivations, this revolver remains an excellent handling example. The top-break action opens correctly, the automatic extractor functions as intended and the cylinder rotates freely. The double-action mechanism operates correctly, rotating the cylinder and releasing the hammer, although the single-action hammer cock no longer holds due to age-related wear to the sear engagement surfaces.

Approximate Measurements: Barrel Length: 7.5 cm (3 inches): Calibre: .38/200 (.38 S&W)

History Note:
The Webley Mk IV was officially adopted by the British Army in 1932 as the successor to the larger .455 calibre Webley service revolvers. Chambered for the .38/200 cartridge, it remained the standard British military sidearm throughout the Second World War, serving with the British Army, Royal Navy, Royal Air Force, Home Guard, Commonwealth forces and numerous specialist units across every theatre of the conflict.

As wartime production intensified, Webley & Scott simplified manufacture to maximise output. By 1942, labour-intensive polishing had largely been abandoned in favour of a practical military finish and simplified machining. Revolvers produced under this programme were prominently stamped "WAR FINISH", identifying them as wartime contract production intended solely for military service rather than the higher-polished commercial standard seen before the war.

This revolver can be confidently dated to 1945 through its serial number 163801, which falls within the final wartime production block of Webley Mk IV military revolvers. Surviving factory serial number studies place revolvers in the 160,000-series amongst the last examples manufactured before the end of the Second World War. The combination of the late serial number, WAR FINISH marking, Broad Arrow ownership marks and wartime inspection stamps is entirely consistent with final-year military production.

The 3-inch barrel represents one of the scarcer wartime Mk IV configurations. Whilst the standard British service revolver featured a 5-inch barrel, the shorter version was favoured where compactness and ease of carry were advantageous, including for officers, armoured vehicle crews, military police, RAF personnel and other specialist users. Consequently, original wartime 3-inch military Webley revolvers are encountered considerably less frequently than the standard service pattern and command a premium amongst collectors today.

*Condition*
Presented in very good original wartime condition with honest military service wear throughout. The original military finish displays expected thinning to the muzzle, cylinder and high points together with scattered handling marks accumulated through decades of service and storage. The steel retains an attractive untouched military patina with no evidence of refinishing.

The original black vulcanite Webley grip panels remain well preserved overall, retaining crisp moulded WEBLEY logos and sharp chequering. The left grip is particularly well preserved, whilst the right grip exhibits a noticeable loss of material around the grip screw escutcheon, together with minor service wear consistent with military use, as illustrated in the accompanying photographs. The original military lanyard ring remains fitted.

All principal markings remain clear and legible, including the WEBLEY & SCOTT LTD top strap legend, MARK IV .38 designation, WAR FINISH marking, serial number 163801, British Broad Arrow ownership marks and numerous Crown-over-inspector military acceptance stamps. The underside of the barrel is correctly numbered 801, corresponding with the final three digits of the revolver serial number, whilst the cylinder retains its original factory assembly number 122668.

Mechanically, the revolver remains an excellent display and handling example. The top-break action opens correctly, the automatic extractor functions, and the cylinder rotates freely. The double-action mechanism operates correctly, with the trigger rotating the cylinder and releasing the hammer. The single-action hammer cock does not retain due to age-related wear to the sear engagement surfaces, a common characteristic of well-used service revolvers.

Deactivation Certificate Details:
Old specification deactivated and accompanied by its original Birmingham Gun Barrel Proof House Deactivation Certificate, numbered 160336 and dated 8 April 2021. The certificate records the revolver as a Webley Mk IV Revolver in .38 calibre, serial number 163801, with a 75 mm (3-inch) barrel. The revolver bears the corresponding Birmingham Proof House EU/UK deactivation and inspection marks to the frame. Despite its later certification date, it retains desirable old-specification mechanical functionality, including a fully operating top-break action, automatic extractor, rotating cylinder and functioning double-action trigger mechanism.

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