In 95% very crisp condition we have a top example of A VERY RARE South African Government Issued Commerical Webley Mark IV .455 Service Revolver. This rare and historically significant revolver was originally issued in 1906 to the Cape Town Auxiliary South African Constabulary which policed the Occupied Boer Territories from 1900 till it was disbanded in 1908. It was then transferred to the South African Army at the outbreak of WWI and bears a U⇑ broad arrow South African Army Marking and a date of 1914. It certainly would have been in the thick of the early fighting at the outbreak of WWI. The revolver is all matching and the bore is mint and of course it is still in the original .455 Webley caliber, it does not have an altered cylinder to shoot .45acp as most do.
The Webley Mark IV Service Revolver is commonly referred to as the “Boer War Model“. They were purchased in large numbers by the British Army from 1899-1904. And were the primary sidearm of the 2nd Anglo-Boer War. In 1914, at the Outbreak of WWI this is was still the primary British Army Service side arm and most of them were lost during the early years of combat. If you are a British Serving Officer and you are about to jump into a trench full of Huns this is exactly what you will need to settle all accounts in your favor; this thing is murderous at close range! What a fantastic piece of WWI and finding an example with a South African Pedigree makes it all the more desirable!
