Joel Black partnered with several coauthors (Joseph L. Davis and Roger G. Michaud for the first and Homer Ficken and Frank Michaels for the second) to produce two volumes cataloging an immense variety of Webley solid-frame revolvers. These books include only small and scattered text segments, with the bulk of the pages consisting of photography of hundred of different Webley revolvers. They are organized by model and serial number, and each gun does have a caption itemizing its characteristics. While this may sound less than helpful, I found it to be very useful. The organization (particularly by serial number) made it easy for me to locate where one of my own revolvers would fit, and see the characteristic it was supposed to have, as well as compare it to the iterations before and after.
These books include not just the standard Webley models, but also a great many variations both rare and common, and also copies made by other shops in Britain and beyond. The small amount of text is well utilized to explain context about different models as well as Webley contracts, relationships with retailers, and other important details.
At $99 per volume, these are not cheap books, particularly as most people who are interested in one would probably prefer to have both. However, for the aspiring collector, that $200 would very likely pay for itself almost immediately by putting a potential purchase in proper context. These books are certainly of only niche interest, for those those folks who do share the interest they are an outstanding reference.
Available from Schiffer: Nos 1, 1 1/2, 2, Bull Dogs and Pugs and Models RIC, MP, and No5.
Invaluable to the Webley. But if you are one of us you already know this. I found 2 in my collection pictured in the 2nd volume!!
Webley solid frame revolvers have different center pin retainers than European samples. Though these books seem very valuable and interesting, contain no sketch or photo about this construction.
Webley – uniquely English handguns, an epitome of precision engineering and manufacturing in that country. Respect!
It also harks back to a time when Britain had a thriving firearms industry and no gun controls. British people could and did carry a revolver for protection, a concept completely alien to them now, but which was at the time considered the birth right of a free man.