SUPERB**1896 Cased, Factory Nickel Plated Webley Government (WG) .450/ 455 Calibre Royal Navy College Torpedo Course Prize Presentation Revolver To Lieut Arthur W. Craig RN With Inert Deact Ammo & Accessories**UK 2000 DEACT OPEN CYLINDERS & BARREL None Revolver

**SUPERB**1896 Cased, Factory Nickel Plated Webley Government (WG) .450/ 455 Calibre Royal Navy College Torpedo Course Prize Presentation Revolver To Lieut Arthur W. Craig RN With Inert Deact Ammo & Accessories**UK 2000 DEACT OPEN CYLINDERS & BARREL** - 5960

Although it was never official Army issue, the Webley Government (WG) Army Model revolver was introduced in 1892. They were produced in .450, .455 and .476 calibres. The sidearm was popular with British Officers. They were available with 6” & 7 ½” barrels ( see page 123 to 135 of Webley Revolvers by Bruce & Reinhart). Lieutenant Arthur W. Craig RN was awarded this cased Webley WG in 1896 as a prize for his participation in a Torpedo and Gunnery course at the Royal Navy College. Interestingly the Officer would go on to Captain HMS Barham at the WW1 Battle of Jutland (see internet resource http://www.gwpda.org/naval/jut03lst.htm which lists Captain Arthur W. Craig HMS Barham (Flying the Flag of Rear-Admiral Hugh Evan-Thomas, M.V.O.). HMS Barham was one of five Queen Elizabeth-class battleships built for the Royal Navy during the early 1910s. Completed in 1915, she was often used as a flagship and participated in the Battle of Jutland during the First World War as part of the Grand Fleet. She was commissioned on August 1915, and at Jutland, as Rear Admiral Sir Hugh Evan-Thomas’ flagship received six hits. With one of her sister ships, HMS Valiant, the two made 23-24 hits on enemy ships during the battle, mostly in the so-called “Run to the North”. In a twist of fate seeing as this pistol was an award for a Torpedo course, her end in the Mediterranean in the Second World War was as a result of a torpedo attack). This superb Webley WG with 7 ½” barrel retains its original factory nickel plated finish. On the left side of the frame it is stamped ' Webley Patents' and 'WG Model' together with Webley winged bullet logo. It has matching numbers, cylinder and frame '4616 / 616'. It is also correctly stamped '450/455' calibre. The weapon is crisply engraved on its grip frame ‘Lieut Arthur W Craig RN Second Prize Theoretical Gunnery & Torpedo Course Royal Navy College Session 1895-6’. The top of the barrel is signed by the retailer ‘Army & Navy CSL’ (Army & Navy Co-operative Stores London were a department store group in the United Kingdom, which originated as a co-operative society for military officers and their families during the nineteenth century. The society became a limited liability company in the 1930s and purchased a number of independent department stores during the 1950s and 1960s). The pistol has its original finely chequered panel Walnut grips and is fitted with lanyard ring. Deactivated to UK specification in 2000 the weapon cocks and dry fires in both single and double action, the cylinders are open and will accept inert rounds and the barrel is open. The pistol is contained in its original wooden presentation case with hinged lid. The top of the lid is inlaid with a brass roundel engraved with matching presentation wording. The case has hook fasteners. The case is lined with felt and has a nice Army & Navy Stores trade label. The case has compartments which contain accessories including, 12 inert deactivated rounds of ammunition, an original nickel plated fore sight cover, a glass oil bottle with screw top lid and integral oil applicator tool, 2 spare springs, a spare blade fore sight and a spare blade rear sight. The price for this quality item with connection to a RN Officer who served at Jutland and whose career is worthy of further research includes deactivation certificate and UK delivery**we can arrange for this firearm to be brought up to the latest UK/EU specification for UK customers (customers can purchase on our lay-away scheme. The weapon will then be brought up to EU specification and the relevant certificate obtained prior to the transfer of ownership and delivery)**Sn 5960

£2,750.00