Deactivated Webley MK3 Revolver

This is a superb example of a Webley MKIII .455/.476 revolver, circa 1890. This variant of the MK3 has a longer 6 inch barrel and was retailed by Watson Bros. 29 Old Bond Street, London. It would have been privately purchased by a "Gentleman" and often by serving British officers. The MK3 was first introduced in 1887 with a total of 80,000 produced, the majoriy of which were for the British armed forces. From this total small quantities were produced for the commercial markets and were finished to a much higher quality, as can be seen on this example. Arthur and Thomas Watson were based at 29 Old Bond Street, London, SW1 from 1885 until 1930 selling high end firarms. As their reputation grew so did their client base attracting royal warrants from such exotic lands as Turkey and Persia.