Two Indy Era Guns!

IndyFrench · Post by **IndyFrench** » Mon Jul 04, 2005 1:12 pm

Hey all. I just wanted to post a pic of my new Webley MKVI alongside my long late great-grandfather's WWI Colt New Victory .38 revolver he was issued as a biplane pilot during the Great War.

Hemingway Jones · Post by **Hemingway Jones** » Mon Jul 04, 2005 1:22 pm

I don't know much about firearms, but those are beautiful. Wow, your great-grandfather sounds as if he lived quite the life. It must be an honor to be related to such a hero. Imagine getting into a bi-plane to wage war only some fifteen years after the Wright Brothers first flew. What an honor to have his trusty revolver. Great post!

IndyFrench · Post by **IndyFrench** » Mon Jul 04, 2005 1:31 pm

My great-grandfather took a ride with the Wright Brothers when their Flyer toured Memphis Tenn where he lived. The story goes that one of the Wright Brothers handed him a stiff shot of whiskey before they dropped the counterweight to take off. He was told something like, "Trust me. Drink this."

After that, he was hooked on flight for the rest of his life.

Mike

J_Weaver · Post by **J_Weaver** » Mon Jul 04, 2005 1:40 pm

Those are a couple of nice revolvers

Great story too!

Hemingway Jones · Post by **Hemingway Jones** » Mon Jul 04, 2005 1:47 pm

Great story, Mike. What a wonderful family history.

Indiana Williams · Post by **Indiana Williams** » Mon Jul 04, 2005 8:00 pm

those are nice revolvers,have you ever shot the colt.if so how does it shoot.

IndyFrench · Post by **IndyFrench** » Mon Jul 04, 2005 10:23 pm

I've actually been very skittish about firing the Colt. I have no idea how long it has been since it was fired and I really need a competent gunsmith to look it over. While it is in great shape, I would like an expert to say yes or no about firing it.

Interesting morbid side note I just learned too - My grandfather told me yesterday that my great grandfather (his father) suffered some horrible kidney stones in the late 1940s and the pain was so excruciating that one day my great grandmother called my grandfather to their house because my greatgrandfather had locked himself in his bedroom. He had pulled the revolver from his bedside dresser and was going to shoot himself with it to end the delirious pain. My grandfather wrestled the revolver from him and hid it until his condition was cured. Amazing what suffering can do to a man. Incidentally, he died of nautral causes many years later.

rebelgtp · Post by **rebelgtp** » Mon Jul 04, 2005 10:43 pm

i've fired a few weapons of this vintage one of the big things to look for on a gun that has been sitting for a long time is signs of any corrosion (rust) in the barrel and chambers of the cylinder, this will show up as anything from visible rust to pitting. revolvers in particular are fairly simple reliable guns and will not ahve as many problems shooting as say a semi auto (hi-power or 1911). on the revolver make sure that the cylinder lines up properly with the barrel when you pull the hammer back. when you pull the hammer back check for binding, to stiff or pulls back way to easy. binding could be dirt or rust or simply lack of lubrication. if the hammer is to stiff it could be the above OR somthing wrong with the spring. comes back to easy again spring but more then likely worn out. another thing you need to be careful with on older firearms is some of them will not no matter how good the condition will not handle modern ammo. if you find this is the case and you do want to fire them you have the options of hunting up the proper ammo or loading your own.

those are both beautiful looking examples and it would be a shame to see them religated to just sitting on a shelf. i would suggest finding a gun smith that is familiar with early revolvers, lets face it these things aren't built quite the same as current day weapons. in most cases current standards would make a gun smith of old cringe. don't beleive me? go to a gun show and run the action of and old gun, case in point a model 94 winchester. find one that was made pre 64 and feel how solid and smooth the action is even shake the gun a little and listen. then find yourself a brand new outa the box model 94. just FEEL the differance. you might be supprised

IndyFrench · Post by **IndyFrench** » Mon Jul 04, 2005 11:55 pm

Any suggestions on a gunsmith?

rebelgtp · Post by **rebelgtp** » Tue Jul 05, 2005 1:36 am

well if you were on the west coast i could probobly scare one up. i know a guy that specialises in 1911s and he knows alot of guys in the industry but they are all here on the west coast. the colt will probobly be easier then the webley. its kinda like i have an old (late 1800s) pocket watch there aren't to many watch smiths i would trust with that one.

i would suggest find out if there are any local gunshows or collectors shows in your area and ask around there. you can normaly find someone with similars peices and they will know where to get them serviced.

Indiana Jerry · Post by **Indiana Jerry** » Tue Jul 05, 2005 2:37 am

Hang on, you aren't far from Michaelson...look for his reply tomorrow! (Sending him a PM, although I DOUBT he'll miss this.)

Little Venice · Post by **Little Venice** » Tue Jul 05, 2005 2:43 am

Those are a handsome set of revolvers, they seem in fantastic condition too - great story to go with it also

Post by **Michaelson** » Tue Jul 05, 2005 10:07 am

French, give IndyDawg a holler. He owns a big old Colt, and uses a gunsmith that would be local to you.

My gunsmith is GREAT on old Colt movements, but you'd have to jump through all the hoops to get it shipped cross State lines, which can be more trouble than it's worth for something like this.

That Colt looks like one of the big framed revolvers they also built their .45's on, and that movement and frame should be VERY strong for firing factory load .38's, but if it's the earlier frame model like they built the .38 Navy's, do NOT fire the gun. That action was notorious for breaking, and parts are practically non-existant for repair these days. Definitely have it checked over. The Webley, on the other hand, is built like a tank. Get it checked out, which is always a good idea on any 'unknown' gun, but that one should prove range worthy with properly loaded ammo.

VERY nice duo, my friend. Something to be proud of regardless of range worthiness.

Regards! Michaelson

J_Weaver · Post by **J_Weaver** » Tue Jul 05, 2005 2:50 pm

It's a Webely, but thats all I can tell from the pic, have you got a link?

Post by **Michaelson** » Tue Jul 05, 2005 3:05 pm

Looks like a .38 MkIV to me. Regards! Michaelson

J_Weaver · Post by **J_Weaver** » Tue Jul 05, 2005 3:36 pm

Michaelson wrote:Looks like a .38 MkIV to me. Regards! Michaelson

Yup, its a .38 Mk IV. So its really to small to make an indy revolver.

IndyFrench · Post by **IndyFrench** » Wed Jul 06, 2005 9:51 am

Yeah, but Pagey - being a Battle of Britain enthusiast like myself, you might think about owning that gun merely for the RAF WWII historical aspects. Many a Spit pilot carried that sidearm in their cockpits!

Mike

Post by **Michaelson** » Wed Jul 06, 2005 10:29 am

VERY true, and that was before it was replaced by the Enfield....in my opinion a TERRIBLE choice, but they were trying to cut corners during the War. I owned a MkIV, and though it shot erratically (the chambering is different than the U.S. standard .38 Smith and Wesson round), it still fired consistantly, and parts can be readily found. Easy to work on too. Regards! Michaelson