{
  "apiVersion": 1,
  "kind": "work-order",
  "purpose": "Taking the firearm apart for a job such as refinishing, and putting it back together to specification.",
  "firearm": {
    "slug": "webley-mk-vi",
    "name": "Webley Mk VI",
    "manufacturer": {
      "id": "webley",
      "name": "Webley & Scott"
    },
    "category": "revolver",
    "action": "double-action-revolver",
    "calibers": [
      ".455 Webley",
      ".45 ACP (converted)",
      ".38 S&W"
    ],
    "alsoKnownAs": [
      "Webley Revolver No. 1 Mk VI",
      "Webley .455"
    ],
    "coversAlso": [
      "Webley Mk IV, Mk V (similar top-break system)",
      "Webley Mk IV .38 S&W"
    ],
    "page": "firearms/webley-mk-vi.html",
    "bundle": "api/v1/firearms/webley-mk-vi.json",
    "lastUpdated": "2026-10-29"
  },
  "notices": [
    "This work order is written for the Webley Mk VI. It is reported to cover Webley Mk IV, Mk V (similar top-break system); Webley Mk IV .38 S&W — if the firearm on the bench is one of those, check the torque notes: values do not always carry over.",
    "No torque values are recorded for this firearm. Get them from the manufacturer or a gunsmith; do not estimate."
  ],
  "disclaimer": {
    "headline": "Read this before you use anything here.",
    "points": [
      "This is a guide, not an authority. Entries are compiled from manufacturer manuals, technical manuals, published references, and community knowledge. Some of it comes from sources that are not authoritative, and some of it may simply be wrong.",
      "Always consult the manufacturer's manual for your specific firearm and serial-number range. Manufacturers change designs mid-production without renaming the model. The manual that shipped with your firearm outranks anything on this site.",
      "Consult a licensed gunsmith for anything beyond routine field stripping and cleaning, for any firearm you are unsure about, and for any procedure marked as gunsmith-recommended here.",
      "Treat every firearm as loaded. Verify it is unloaded, with the magazine removed and the chamber physically and visually checked, before any procedure in this database. Point it in a safe direction the entire time.",
      "Disassembly can damage a firearm or injure you. Springs are under tension, parts can launch, and reassembling a firearm incorrectly can make it unsafe to fire in a way that is not obvious from the outside. If a reassembled firearm does not pass a function check, stop and see a gunsmith.",
      "Torque values are shown in two groups. Values from the manufacturer or the issuing military are shown as such, with the document they came from. Values reported by anyone else — parts makers, gunsmithing publishers, articles, forums — are shown separately with who said them, how reliable that source is, and their exact words. Those are not specifications. Confirm any torque value with the manufacturer or a licensed gunsmith before relying on it.",
      "Nothing here is legal advice. Firearms law varies by country, state, and city, and some modifications or configurations are regulated or prohibited. You are responsible for knowing and following the law where you are.",
      "No warranty of any kind. Contributors and maintainers accept no liability for damage, injury, or loss arising from use of this material."
    ],
    "page": "disclaimer.html",
    "legal": {
      "summary": "Legal notice: this material is third-party information compiled from sources of varying reliability and is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not gunsmithing, technical, safety or legal advice, it is not verified or endorsed by any manufacturer, and it must not be taken as fact. Any work on a firearm beyond the routine field stripping described in its own owner's manual should be performed only by a licensed and insured gunsmith. You use this material entirely at your own risk. Fundamental Build LLC and the project's contributors make no warranty of any kind and accept no liability for death, injury, damage or loss arising from its use. Full terms: LEGAL.md.",
      "page": "legal.html",
      "notice": "https://github.com/Fundamental-build-LLC/Pew-Takedown/blob/main/LEGAL.md"
    }
  },
  "sourcing": {
    "confidence": "medium",
    "verification": "community-reviewed"
  },
  "manufacturerDisassembly": {
    "status": "not-recorded",
    "limit": null,
    "statement": null,
    "source": null
  },
  "recalls": [],
  "shopTier": {
    "tier": 2,
    "group": "revolver",
    "rating": "Pew-Takedown editorial rating (1 easy – 3 hardest), not the manufacturer's",
    "reason": "Top-break with a V-mainspring that must be wired compressed before it comes off the stirrup, a barrel latch spring compressed with pliers while its screw is turned, a loose extractor cam at the hinge and the extractor retainer; around 49 key numbers. Several tensioned springs but each is handled on its own, so moderate (upper end).",
    "confidence": "medium",
    "partCount": {
      "value": 49,
      "kind": "line-items",
      "covers": "Highest key number cited in the American Rifleman disassembly text (49, trigger pivot screw); the exploded drawing itself was not readable, so the list may run higher",
      "basis": "manufacturer-diagram",
      "source": {
        "title": "The Webley Mk VI: Construction & Disassembly (reprint of May 2003 Exploded View)",
        "publisher": "American Rifleman (NRA)",
        "reliability": "primary",
        "url": "https://www.americanrifleman.org/content/the-webley-mk-vi-construction-disassembly/",
        "page": null,
        "pdfPage": null,
        "pageUrl": null,
        "quote": "Remove the trigger pivot screw (49) and trigger (43)."
      }
    },
    "painPoints": [
      {
        "issue": "The V-mainspring has to be wired in its compressed state before it can be unhooked from the hammer stirrup, and re-hooked the same way.",
        "during": "both",
        "source": {
          "title": "The Webley Mk VI: Construction & Disassembly (reprint of May 2003 Exploded View)",
          "publisher": "American Rifleman (NRA)",
          "reliability": "primary",
          "url": "https://www.americanrifleman.org/content/the-webley-mk-vi-construction-disassembly/",
          "page": null,
          "pdfPage": null,
          "pageUrl": null,
          "quote": "Take a piece of wire and slide it through the forward portion of the mainspring. Using a pair of needle-nose pliers, twist the wire until the mainspring is held captive in the compressed state."
        }
      },
      {
        "issue": "The barrel latch spring must be held compressed with padded pliers while the latch screw is turned out (and in).",
        "during": "both",
        "source": {
          "title": "The Webley Mk VI: Construction & Disassembly (reprint of May 2003 Exploded View)",
          "publisher": "American Rifleman (NRA)",
          "reliability": "primary",
          "url": "https://www.americanrifleman.org/content/the-webley-mk-vi-construction-disassembly/",
          "page": null,
          "pdfPage": null,
          "pageUrl": null,
          "quote": "Compress the barrel latch spring (4) using padded pliers and unscrew the barrel latch screw (3) while the spring is compressed."
        }
      },
      {
        "issue": "The extractor lever cam falls free when the barrel is separated from the frame at the hinge.",
        "during": "disassembly",
        "source": {
          "title": "The Webley Mk VI: Construction & Disassembly (reprint of May 2003 Exploded View)",
          "publisher": "American Rifleman (NRA)",
          "reliability": "primary",
          "url": "https://www.americanrifleman.org/content/the-webley-mk-vi-construction-disassembly/",
          "page": null,
          "pdfPage": null,
          "pageUrl": null,
          "quote": "Separate the barrel from the frame taking care not to drop the extractor lever cam (12)"
        }
      },
      {
        "issue": "The extractor rod retainer needs a protected chamber and a punch to unscrew it.",
        "during": "disassembly",
        "source": {
          "title": "The Webley Mk VI: Construction & Disassembly (reprint of May 2003 Exploded View)",
          "publisher": "American Rifleman (NRA)",
          "reliability": "primary",
          "url": "https://www.americanrifleman.org/content/the-webley-mk-vi-construction-disassembly/",
          "page": null,
          "pdfPage": null,
          "pageUrl": null,
          "quote": "Place a dowel or fired case in a chamber to protect the extractor/ratchet pin (18), insert a punch or nail into the disassembly hole in the extractor rod retainer (15) and turn it counter-clockwise"
        }
      }
    ],
    "minutes": {
      "strip": 35,
      "rebuild": 55,
      "basis": "estimated",
      "note": "Estimated: cylinder and extractor, hinge pin and barrel, cylinder cam, mainspring (wired), latch, recoil plate, trigger guard, hammer, trigger, pawl and trigger catch, per the American Rifleman sequence. Rebuild longer for the mainspring and latch spring.",
      "source": null
    },
    "stripScope": [
      {
        "assembly": "Cylinder",
        "removes": [
          "cam lever lock screw and cam lever",
          "cylinder",
          "extractor rod retainer, spring and extractor/ratchet"
        ],
        "tools": [
          "punch or nail for the retainer",
          "dowel or fired case"
        ]
      },
      {
        "assembly": "Barrel",
        "removes": [
          "hinge pin screw and hinge pin; barrel off the frame",
          "extractor lever cam",
          "cylinder cam screws and cylinder cam",
          "front sight blade and screw"
        ],
        "tools": [
          "fitted screwdrivers"
        ]
      },
      {
        "assembly": "Frame and lockwork",
        "removes": [
          "stock screw and stocks",
          "mainspring (wired compressed)",
          "barrel latch, latch spring and screw",
          "recoil plate and screw",
          "trigger guard and screws",
          "hammer pivot screw and hammer with stirrup",
          "trigger pivot screw and trigger",
          "pawl/hand",
          "trigger catch, spring and screw"
        ],
        "tools": [
          "wire and needle-nose pliers",
          "padded pliers"
        ]
      }
    ],
    "hardware": null,
    "specialTools": [
      {
        "tool": "Soft wire and needle-nose pliers",
        "usedFor": "Holding the V-mainspring compressed"
      },
      {
        "tool": "Padded pliers",
        "usedFor": "Compressing the barrel latch spring while the screw is turned"
      },
      {
        "tool": "Punch/nail and a dowel or fired case",
        "usedFor": "Unscrewing the extractor rod retainer without damaging the ratchet pin"
      }
    ],
    "fitOnRebuild": [
      {
        "check": "Timing / carry-up: every chamber locks before the hammer falls, single and double action; cylinder gap and end shake",
        "why": "Standard revolver check after lockwork has been out; worn hand or cylinder stop gives the \"does not lock up\" fault under Common issues.",
        "source": null
      },
      {
        "check": "Barrel latch fully engages and the hinge is tight",
        "why": "A top-break that is not latched is dangerous; hinge stretch is a known Webley wear point.",
        "source": null
      },
      {
        "check": "Cylinder retained by the cam lever and lock screw",
        "why": "The cylinder slides off its axis if the cam is not back in its retaining position.",
        "source": null
      }
    ],
    "assessed": "2026-10-29"
  },
  "videos": [],
  "configurations": [],
  "tools": [],
  "phases": [
    {
      "id": "clear",
      "title": "Clear and make safe",
      "steps": [
        {
          "n": 1,
          "instruction": "Point the muzzle in a safe direction and keep your finger off the trigger."
        },
        {
          "n": 2,
          "instruction": "Press the barrel latch on the left side of the frame and pivot the barrel and cylinder downward to open the action.",
          "warning": "The star extractor throws all six cases clear automatically. Keep your face out of the ejection path.",
          "partsFreed": [
            "Cartridges or cases from all six chambers"
          ]
        },
        {
          "n": 3,
          "instruction": "Look through every chamber and confirm all six are empty.",
          "warning": "Even with automatic ejection, verify. A stuck case can remain behind."
        },
        {
          "n": 4,
          "instruction": "Confirm the bore is clear."
        },
        {
          "n": 5,
          "instruction": "Leave the action open and remove all live ammunition from the work area."
        }
      ],
      "videos": []
    },
    {
      "id": "disassemble",
      "title": "Disassemble",
      "videos": [],
      "procedures": [
        {
          "procedure": "field-strip",
          "title": "Field Strip",
          "level": "field-strip",
          "configuration": false,
          "steps": [
            {
              "n": 1,
              "instruction": "Complete the Clear and Make Safe procedure, leaving the action open."
            },
            {
              "n": 2,
              "instruction": "Rotate the cylinder cam (the small catch on the left side of the barrel lug) to its release position.",
              "partsFreed": [
                "(cam rotated, not removed)"
              ]
            },
            {
              "n": 3,
              "instruction": "Slide the cylinder forward off its axis and lift it clear of the crane.",
              "tip": "This was designed as a field procedure. It should be quick and require no tools.",
              "partsFreed": [
                "Cylinder"
              ]
            },
            {
              "n": 4,
              "instruction": "Clean the chambers, bore, cylinder face, forcing cone, and the extractor star and its recess."
            },
            {
              "n": 5,
              "instruction": "Stop here. The lockwork behind the frame is gunsmith territory and the springs are brittle with age."
            }
          ]
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "refinish",
      "title": "Refinish",
      "components": [
        {
          "name": "(cam rotated, not removed)",
          "procedure": "field-strip",
          "level": "field-strip",
          "step": 2
        },
        {
          "name": "Cylinder",
          "procedure": "field-strip",
          "level": "field-strip",
          "step": 3
        }
      ],
      "manufacturerPartsList": null,
      "partsDiagrams": [],
      "materials": [],
      "note": "The components the procedures above separate. Coating, masking and cure are outside this database; follow your coating system's instructions. A part the manufacturer marks \"factory fit\" should not be swapped or reworked."
    },
    {
      "id": "reassemble",
      "title": "Reassemble",
      "videos": [],
      "procedures": [
        {
          "procedure": "reassembly",
          "title": "Reassembly",
          "configuration": false,
          "steps": [
            {
              "n": 1,
              "instruction": "Slide the cylinder back onto its axis on the crane."
            },
            {
              "n": 2,
              "instruction": "Rotate the cylinder cam back to its retaining position.",
              "warning": "Confirm the cylinder is retained by pulling forward on it."
            },
            {
              "n": 3,
              "instruction": "Close the action until the barrel latch engages.",
              "warning": "Confirm the latch is fully engaged. A top-break that is not latched is dangerous."
            },
            {
              "n": 4,
              "instruction": "Perform the function check."
            }
          ],
          "instruction": null
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "torque",
      "title": "Torque",
      "coverage": "none-recorded",
      "manufacturer": [],
      "reported": [],
      "notes": null
    },
    {
      "id": "function-check",
      "title": "Function check",
      "checks": [
        "Verify all six chambers are empty before each check.",
        "Close the action and confirm the barrel latch engages positively with no perceptible play.",
        "Cock the hammer slowly and confirm the cylinder indexes and locks at each chamber.",
        "Press the trigger in single action and confirm a clean hammer fall.",
        "Cycle the action in double action through all six chambers.",
        "Open the action and confirm the star extractor lifts and then snaps back under its spring.",
        "If the revolver has perceptible play at the hinge or latch when closed, stop and see a gunsmith."
      ],
      "videos": []
    }
  ],
  "troubleshooting": [],
  "sources": [
    {
      "n": 1,
      "id": null,
      "title": "Small Arms Training: Revolver, Webley .455",
      "publisher": "British War Office",
      "reliability": "primary",
      "url": null,
      "accessed": null
    },
    {
      "n": 2,
      "id": null,
      "title": "The Webley Story",
      "publisher": "William Chipchase Dowell",
      "reliability": "secondary",
      "url": null,
      "accessed": null
    },
    {
      "n": 3,
      "id": "tier-7a422665",
      "title": "The Webley Mk VI: Construction & Disassembly (reprint of May 2003 Exploded View)",
      "publisher": "American Rifleman (NRA)",
      "reliability": "primary",
      "url": "https://www.americanrifleman.org/content/the-webley-mk-vi-construction-disassembly/",
      "accessed": "2026-10-29"
    }
  ]
}