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Double Rifles, Single Shots & Combinations >> Single Shots & Combination Guns
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Levallois
.300 member


Reged: 27/11/03
Posts: 137
Loc: Arizona, USA
Finally I acquired a vintage single shot falling block!
      #291841 - 12/12/16 01:35 PM

Webley 1902 patent .450 express with nitro proofs. Serial no. 10767 with the Webley patent 1902 6365 and winged bullet on right side but no Webley and Scott or any other retailer marked on it. The action face and barrel are both marked 152. Barrel also has 10767 on it under forend wood. Engraving and wood look very much like the few 1902s I've seen. The serial number is mentioned in Kirton's book. I've wanted a vintage falling block for some time now and had to sell two rifles to buy this one but I'm delighted!

More photos to follow.



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It ain't like it used to be, but it'll do.

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Rockdoc
.400 member


Reged: 07/12/06
Posts: 1212
Loc: NSW, Australia
Re: Finally I acquired a vintage single shot falling block! [Re: Levallois]
      #291850 - 12/12/16 08:04 PM

Congratulations. Wow. Even with that photo it looks great.

Look forward to seeing more photos.

Cheers. Chris

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lonewulf
.300 member


Reged: 06/08/12
Posts: 227
Loc: South-East Otago, New Zealand
Re: Finally I acquired a vintage single shot falling block! [Re: Rockdoc]
      #291851 - 12/12/16 08:57 PM



Looks fantastic. Good for you.

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HuviusModerator
.416 member


Reged: 04/11/07
Posts: 3523
Loc: Colorado
Re: Finally I acquired a vintage single shot falling block! [Re: lonewulf]
      #291855 - 13/12/16 12:02 AM

Congratulations!
Great gun. Now that you have a vintage Brit single shot, it's all downhill from here...

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He who lives in the past is doomed to enjoy it.

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rglenz
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Reged: 14/03/08
Posts: 134
Loc: w. Minn
Re: Finally I acquired a vintage single shot falling block! [Re: Huvius]
      #291857 - 13/12/16 12:29 AM

I looked at that rifle several times over the weekend, I'm glad you bought it!

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Levallois
.300 member


Reged: 27/11/03
Posts: 137
Loc: Arizona, USA
Re: Finally I acquired a vintage single shot falling block! [Re: lonewulf]
      #291859 - 13/12/16 01:09 AM

Better photos from the seller since I'm not even close to the world's best photographer.

I've never seen one of these in person so I have some questions and I apologize ahead of time if they seem like something I should know.

First, after opening the breach, when I go to close it the handle springs back to the closed position against the trigger guard with very little pressure from me. Is that normal? The only other falling block that I've handled - a martini - you had to pull the handle back up to close the breach.

Second, this one is nitro proofed, so can I use Hornady's 450 3 1/4 NE ammo in it? Unfortunately, I don't reload.

Third, although this serial number is listed in Mr. Kirton's book on page 274 confirming that is was a 1902 large action type in .450-3 1/4 Nitro Express, why would the remarks section be blank? Do you all think Mr. Kirton looked at these books personally?

Last, (for now), why isn't there a Webley & Son or Webley and Scott marking on this rifle? Is that normal?

Thanks!











--------------------
It ain't like it used to be, but it'll do.

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HuviusModerator
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Reged: 04/11/07
Posts: 3523
Loc: Colorado
Re: Finally I acquired a vintage single shot falling block! [Re: Levallois]
      #291864 - 13/12/16 02:35 AM

The spring actiin in the lever is normal for some of these big actions but I think was only incorporated on the large actions and not the medium or small ones.
All of these 1902 patent rifles were nitro proved and I would think that the Hornady ammo would be fine.
Also, I don't think that Kirton has had the opportunity to personally handle every rifle listed in his books and the lack of comments on it may just be due to the lack of more info on the Webley ledgers.
It is common for the Webley retailed 1902 rifles of their own to just have their trademark and patent information on the side as they were the makers of the entire rifle regardless of who retailed it be it Army & Navy, Rigby, H&H or whoever.
I say this of course knowing that some makers would stock, engrave and sight Webleys to their own style but most you run across will be very similar to yours.

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He who lives in the past is doomed to enjoy it.

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Wayne59
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Reged: 20/06/15
Posts: 1219
Loc: Lagrange Ga. USA
Re: Finally I acquired a vintage single shot falling block! [Re: Huvius]
      #291883 - 13/12/16 06:44 AM

I am envious.

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Levallois
.300 member


Reged: 27/11/03
Posts: 137
Loc: Arizona, USA
Re: Finally I acquired a vintage single shot falling block! [Re: Wayne59]
      #291890 - 13/12/16 08:06 AM

I appreciate all the great comments! I've been waiting along time for the planets to align including having the largest gunshow here locally giving me the opportunity to sell some firearms to coincide with the availability of a vintage falling block at a reasonably "affordable" price.

Also a big thanks to Huvius for answering all my questions. Ordered Wal Winfer's volume 6 (what a great book!) when I knew the deal would happen and it came today and there is mention of a self-closing action with a special spring and roller. The photo of it looks like what I have fastened to the underside of the action face of this rifle. That's another little perk.

John

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It ain't like it used to be, but it'll do.

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tophet1
.400 member


Reged: 15/09/07
Posts: 1873
Loc: NSW, Australia
Re: Finally I acquired a vintage single shot falling block! [Re: Levallois]
      #291894 - 13/12/16 08:28 AM

Very, very nice.

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DarylS
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Reged: 10/08/05
Posts: 26499
Loc: Beautiful British Columbia, Ca...
Re: Finally I acquired a vintage single shot falling block! [Re: tophet1]
      #291906 - 13/12/16 10:37 AM

Yeah- that will be fun to shoot!

Like Curl, I'd be inclined to shoot mostly nitro-for-black-type loads - easier on the shoulder and thus will allow a LOT more shooting then full power loads.

--------------------
Daryl


"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V

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93x64mm
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Reged: 07/12/11
Posts: 3986
Loc: Nth QLD Australia
Re: Finally I acquired a vintage single shot falling block! [Re: Wayne59]
      #291932 - 13/12/16 06:45 PM

Quote:

I am envious.



Not bloody wrong!
One hell of a nice rifle - love the engraving, just superb!

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CptCurlAdministrator
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Reged: 01/05/04
Posts: 5271
Loc: Fincastle, Botetourt County, V...
Re: Finally I acquired a vintage single shot falling block! [Re: 93x64mm]
      #291967 - 14/12/16 12:58 PM

Really nice. Congratulations on such a nice rifle.

Curl

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RoscoeStephenson.com

YOUR DOUBLE RIFLE IS YOUR BEST FRIEND.



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Levallois
.300 member


Reged: 27/11/03
Posts: 137
Loc: Arizona, USA
Re: Finally I acquired a vintage single shot falling block! [Re: CptCurl]
      #292099 - 16/12/16 01:46 AM

I appreciate it you guys! I'd like to try nitro-for-black but don't see how I can unless I reload. It would be fun to set up an old Rockcrusher with the right dies, cases, bullets and powder. I bought Wright's book and I don't think it would take up much room in the garage - which is good because I have almost no room.

I asked Richard Milner about possible records and he said that the rifles in the remaining Webley company books have not been organized so it would take a very very long time to hunt down a serial number. With the small number of rifles made I doubt these records will be available for some time.

On another note, the seller believes this rifle was owned by a Maharaja or Nawab in India because of the presence of five small numbers on the bottom edge of the buttstock behind the pistol grip - two numbers over three number. The two numbers would identify the armory or personal collection and then the three number would identify the number of the gun in the armory. He had another rifle with "14" (like mine) as the first two numbers and it belonged to the Nawab of Bhopal - had his name engraved on it. Unfortunately, there are no written records. Anybody know anything about this at all?

Thanks!

John

--------------------
It ain't like it used to be, but it'll do.

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Levallois
.300 member


Reged: 27/11/03
Posts: 137
Loc: Arizona, USA
Re: Finally I acquired a vintage single shot falling block! [Re: Levallois]
      #293502 - 09/01/17 02:26 AM

url=https://flic.kr/p/PNzV4a][/url]image by John Lindly, on Flickr


Artsy fartsy shot with Westley Richards cartridge belt, period binoculars, Colt 1903 hammer with period holster, period Bowie knife, etc.

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It ain't like it used to be, but it'll do.

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Waidmannsheil
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Reged: 19/04/13
Posts: 2377
Loc: Melbourne Australia
Re: Finally I acquired a vintage single shot falling block! [Re: Levallois]
      #293510 - 09/01/17 06:11 AM

Great photo.

Waidmannsheil.

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There is nothing wrong with vegetarian food, so long as there is meat with it.

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Levallois
.300 member


Reged: 27/11/03
Posts: 137
Loc: Arizona, USA
Re: Finally I acquired a vintage single shot falling block! [Re: Waidmannsheil]
      #293646 - 12/01/17 01:51 AM

Thanks Waidmannsheil! Wished I would have had a zebra pelt or something like that to display with the rifle but I haven't been to Africa yet.

--------------------
It ain't like it used to be, but it'll do.

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