Webley MKVI Pellet Revolver, Battlefield Finish

I'm very impressed with this gun and would recommend it to anyone I know. The only issue I had with mine was the weathered finish was not applied very well to the cylinder. I don't know if this is just with mine or all of them.

Pros
Feels just like a real webley revolver.

Cons
The weathering on my cylinder (don't know if it is just with mine or all of them).

Pros
Having owned a .455 Webley years ago, it brought back good memories. The accuracy was much better and the ammo is a lot cheaper.

Cons
The spring for the break-barrel is not as strong as I would like. When I holster the handgun in a Webley canvas holster and take the pistol out the barrel breaks as though for loading. Parts availability is non-existent. I checked the MFG's website and there is no "Support" link. They do have a second party source for parts but the parts are all "Unavailable." Numrich Arms has some original Webley parts and I wonder if the spring could be replaced with beefier spring made for the original Mk VI (??) Otherwise I am satisfied. I already accidentally twisted the lanyard ring like a pretzel and would like to get a new one. SOL!

Works well and weighs almost exactly the same as the original.

I'm a person who love history. I do a lot of reenactments; ww2, civil war etc.

Pros
All is well great weight no problems fires and loads like the real thing

Cons
NOTHING

Fun pistol to shoot accuratric and worth the money feels great in the hand

Cons
none

The Win Gun, Webley MK IV Replica made in Taiwan, is a .177, CO2 pellet revolver licensed by Webley that is a 1 to 1 scale reproduction of its British brother. With the slightly weathered, Battlefield Finish this revolver’s realism is almost off the charts. While there are many fine deatils missing on the replica, a nice attribute is the fact that it lacks most of the white paint warnings generally found on most Umerax replicas. There are some white paint markings on the right side that can be subdued for a better look. On this Webley the replica markings are cast into the metal like a real revolver- they are not painted on. Futhermore, the full-metal (zemak pot metal alloy) construction gives you the heft of a real revolver. Both this replica and the original Webley weigh in at approximately 4.2 pounds; the Win Gun replica looks and feels like real steel. There are some slight dimension differences between an original Webley and the replica. These are more for function. The Win Gun Webley MK IV is indeed a very nice replica. It is one of the best on the market. However, it is still a toy steeply priced at $179 and under heavy use certain pot metal pieces will eventually wear and cause it to malfunction. It is not made of British steel. Under normal use it should last for a few years.

While primarily a collector’s pistol, it is also a shooter. The CO2 cartridge provides about 35-40 shots per cylinder. The cartridge is cleverly hid in the grips. While a low velocity shooter at approximately 380-430 fps, it is somewhat accurate with high grade .177 alloy, hollow base pellets. I would say it’s not a match grade revolver, but a nice shooter. It fires in both single and double action. The pistol lists for $199, but can be purchased between $150-$179 depending on the current internet deals. It is sold by Airgundepot or Pyramydair in the US. So it’s priced too high for a kid’s pellet pistol; heck, a Crossman, single shot, pump, .177 pellet pistol will have more power and accuracy than this revolver. And it costs half the price!

This replica is priced toward the collector, but its value could be enhanced by a number of factors. This includes getting rid of the safety, providing correct looking polymer reproduction grips, the addition of the correct size cartridge, the addition of a few British proof marks or British broad arrow markings, the addition of a nice wood collector box, a spare set of shells in the box, and finally the addition of a non painted serial number (it could be the same number on all revolvers), but at least stamp them it in the correct three locations. Such a revolver would have been priced much higher, but for the collector it would have been added realism off the charts. However, this would have priced the gal or fellow that likes a reproduction WW I shooter, out of the market. The non-firing $80 Denix Webley has better looking grips and more realistic looking cartridges then the Win Gun. So the Win Gun replica Webley is designed for both the ocassional shooter and the collector- just that neither gets the best attributes. This revolver is a compromise in design to fit the needs of each buyer’s category. Its not a perfect replica, nor is it a match grade shooter.

While a quality metal replica, the internal air valve components are made of plastic. Likewise, the grips are a low quality plastic that is very different from the original revolver’s grip composition. Visually this is one of the replica’s weakest points. They should have used a current reproduction polymer grip. Such grips would have provided more realism. It would have matched a general worn appearence simliar to the replica’s realistic battlefield finish. Such a combination would have been visually stunning. The added safety is the second eye sore. It is unneccessary and not found on originals. One of its strong points is the Battlefield Finish that has an applied simulated wear to its surface that mimics the finish found on original Webleys. It is truely a perfect match. However, the revolver’s finish is paint and not a real blue. It scratches easily. A true applied weathered blue would provide a more durable finish. In addition, while a better box would be nice, the Webley does arrive in a special collector, cardboard box with excellent graphics. No hard, clamshell plastic wrap.


So here are a few of the differences between an original Webley and the replica. The right side of the replica is pretty close to the original. There are some dimensional differences, but most would not even realize this. The two things that scream “reporduction” are the white paint caliber marking, serial number, pellet symbol, and F trade mark on the frame. The other is the addition of a safety. These are not on an original. Since the markings are white paint, they can be subdued so you can hardly see them. Next is the politically correct, small safety with a red and white paint dot indicating its on/off position. Thankfully, there are no “S” and “F” markings on the frame. The original did not have a safety.

No British broad arrow maks are visible on the replica. The right side screw located on the frame catch is actually a pin on the original. A small screw on the front sight is missing and is not replicated. It is present on originals. While it looks like the original, the latch spring on the right side is less robust than the original’s spring. The replica’s latch is significantly weaker than an original Webley. On an original revolver the top break mechanism of a MK IV is extremely strong. On the replica its weak, so much so that the revolver may open if snagged on the holster. Finally, two pins that are screws entering from the left side are missing on the replica. They do not show up as pins on the right frame where the white paint markings are located. These details were left off.

The left side appears real close to the original except for the missing British proof marks and British broad arrow marks. On the replica, the “.455” is stamped on the left side of the barrel near the cylinder. This is not present on an original Webley. This is the same location where British proof marks can be found on an original. The serial number on the rearward edge of the cylinder, the serial number on the bottom lower frame just in front of the trigger, and the serial number on the base of the barrel assembly by the hing are missing. These are the three locations of the original serial numbers. They are missing on the replica- no effort was made to accurately reproduce British proof markings or serial numbers. No effort was made to accurately size the cartridges or cylinder chambers for a .455 cartridge case. The reproduction pellet cartridges are more to the size of a 38 caliber round. Indeed the shells are more like 38/200 than .455. While some of the BB Webley reviews indicate the cartridges are marked “webley”, the revolver I received from Airgun Depot contains unmarked cartridges. The BB revolver replica has different cartridges that are marked and shaped differently. The maker’s (WIN GUN) swithched to unmarked cartridges for the pellet models. This can be seen in there promo. pictures on their web pages for each model. The BB, pellet, and Airssoft cartridges are different and only function in the correct model replica. The only spare cartridges that fit the pellet Webley MK IV are the Bear River Schofield pellet cartridges that come in a package of six for $12-$15. These are not marked, but fit the Webley perfectly. Correct sized .455 headstamped cartridges as well as the correct sized chambers in the cylinder would have been a fantastic attribute adding realism to the Win Gun, Webley replica. On some replicas an energy rating decal is placed on the left side of the barrel. My pistol came without such a decal. If your pistol has one, then it can easily be removed with an oil soaking and dull wood stick as to not scratch the metal finish. The “MARK IV” on the top strap and the “WEBLEY MARK IV PATENTS 1915” on the lower frame below the cylinder and just above and in front of the trigger are accurately reproduced. They are cast into the metal and look like original markings. There are few white painted markings. This attention to detail adds to the replica’s realism.

On mine the thumb lever that controls the top break action rubs on the side of the frame scratching the paint. As for the action, there is much less trigger pull than a real Webley. This occurs when firing the pistol in single or double action. Cartridges are easy to load and unlike a real Webley the pop up action does not throw out the cartridges like a real pistol. The automatic ejection is less fast/forcefull and more smooth than an original. The pellet cartridges stay in the cylinder unless you really force the action open. More than likely the replica’s action is designed this way so the cartridges do not get lost in the field. They stay in place so the next reload of pellets can be accomplished without removing the cartridge from the cylinder. You simply place a pellet into the back portion of the cartridge to reload the replica. The cylinder works and turns in time very smoothly, trigger pull is much lighter than an original. I have notice the rear sight is set higher than an original. There is also a visible gap common on pellet revolvers between the hammer and the valve. The hammer does not sit flat like an original. There is no gap on the original.

Now since the replica is not made of real steel, it’s a toy, and you should expect revolver wear. The cylinder cam will wear due to soft metal. The pawl and cylinder rear notches should experience heavy wear, just how fast I do not know. The notches on the outside of the cylinder may get out of square, but more likely the trigger stop lever will wear down first. Future problems will depend on the hardness of the metal in these parts and the amount of use the pot metal alloy is subjected to. The air valve should last if Pellgun oil is used. I have not found any take down instruction for the replica so if you mess with its internals and disassemble the revolver you may want to watch out for springs and parts flying across the room. Generally parts are not available-- they want you to buy another new one. Mine appears to have been well lubricated prior to assembly at the factory.

The grips look similar to originals. They are accurate reproductions that utilize a synthetic, molded plastic providing a new, cheep, look to the replica. The grips are hollow backed and different from originals. It is ingenuous how the CO2 cartridge is hid in the handle. The right grip is removed to load the CO2 cartridge. The hollowed out right grip has a small plastic tab at the top that slips under the frame and a small metal clip that locks the lower portion of the right grip to the frame. These are fashioned very much different than original grips. You cannot just replace these grips with the solid original grips, or the commonly available high quality reproduction polymer grips. It should be noted that the brass insert for the grip screw is not reproduced on the replica’s grips. It is my opinion, this replica has cheep looking and feeling grips. They appear too new for a replica with the “Battlefield” more original looking finish. On the toy-like black paint finish or silver finish models, I think these grips look fine. Actually the grips on the Denix replica look better than these.

The Win Gun plastic grips will have to be aged in order to provide a better feel and worn look. There is a light, fuzzy stipple to the smooth boarder edges on the replica’s grip. Likewise, the checkered central portion exhibits sharp points that need to be smoothed down. On a real pistol the outer boundary edges have a more smooth bakelite appearence and the checkered central portion has discoloration in the lower cavities while the higher pointed portions of the checker pattern are slightly worn down; they are not as sharp/crisp as observed on the replica. So you have to dirty them up, sand the central checkered area, and polish the textured outer boundary so they appear more like an original worn grip. If you have the correct size number stamp kit, a serial number can also be added to the correct locations. But such a watchmakers number set is expensive. Then you need a nice dirty original holster kit. So it depends on how original you want the reproduction to look? Do you want to modify it, or keep it original in the box. Mine most likely will stay in the box.

In summary, this Webley MK IV replica has the correct size and weight and a pretty close as posible finish to an original WW I Webley. It is one of the best pellet replicas currently out on the market to buy. The reasons for this statement are: it is lacking the heavy use of white paint markings as seen on other replicas; it is not designed to be toy shooter, it is geared more to the collector crowd or occasional shooter; it is all metal except for the few internal air valve components; its battlefield finish is evenly applied and well done although the paint is not too durable; and finally its trigger, cylinder, and break open movement is smooth.

As a shooter it should function OK. I shot 12 rounds utilizing Gammo Raptor, ballistic alloy, perfectly formed, hollow base expandable, light weight (5.4) grain pellets in the basement at 25 feet and maintained a 3 inch pattern. These pellets cost $10 for a hundred. That’s 10 cents a pellet! So not cheep. But the results are not bad for an old man with bad eyesight. I think it has a better trigger pull in double action. Finally, the Win Gun Webley MK IV is priced slightly more than a non- firing Denix replica; but overall, it is fantastic and well worth the price. With its BATTLEFIELD FINISH, I think it is one of the better replica WW I firearms out there. Too good to shoot, mine stays in the box. A nice addition that sits next to my original.

When I could not get responses to two messages I became curious and checked Airgun Depot's feedback. I relaxed the next day when I got the UPS tracking number. I am very happy with both guns I purchased. The packing was excellent.

Cons
Non