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Work order — Webley Mk VI

Taking the firearm apart for a job such as refinishing, and putting it back together to specification. Generated from the Pew-Takedown entry last updated 2026-10-29. Confidence: medium.

Shop difficulty: Tier 2 of 3

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). 49 parts (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). Pew-Takedown's rating, not the manufacturer's.

Bench time: strip ~35 min, rebuild ~55 min (estimate). Actual: strip ______ rebuild ______

Special tools:

• Soft wire and needle-nose pliers — Holding the V-mainspring compressed
• Padded pliers — Compressing the barrel latch spring while the screw is turned
• Punch/nail and a dowel or fired case — Unscrewing the extractor rod retainer without damaging the ratchet pin

Watch for:

• 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. (both; American Rifleman (NRA))
• The barrel latch spring must be held compressed with padded pliers while the latch screw is turned out (and in). (both; American Rifleman (NRA))
• The extractor lever cam falls free when the barrel is separated from the frame at the hinge. (disassembly; American Rifleman (NRA))
• The extractor rod retainer needs a protected chamber and a punch to unscrew it. (disassembly; American Rifleman (NRA))

1. Clear and make safe

1. Point the muzzle in a safe direction and keep your finger off the trigger.
2. 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.
3. Look through every chamber and confirm all six are empty.
   Warning: Even with automatic ejection, verify. A stuck case can remain behind.
4. Confirm the bore is clear.
5. Leave the action open and remove all live ammunition from the work area.

2. Disassemble

Field Strip

1. Complete the Clear and Make Safe procedure, leaving the action open.
2. Rotate the cylinder cam (the small catch on the left side of the barrel lug) to its release position.
3. 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.
4. Clean the chambers, bore, cylinder face, forcing cone, and the extractor star and its recess.
5. Stop here. The lockwork behind the frame is gunsmith territory and the springs are brittle with age.

3. Refinish

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.

No manufacturer statement of materials or finish is recorded. Identify each part's material before choosing prep and cure.

4. Reassemble

Reassembly

1. Slide the cylinder back onto its axis on the crane.
2. Rotate the cylinder cam back to its retaining position.
   Warning: Confirm the cylinder is retained by pulling forward on it.
3. Close the action until the barrel latch engages.
   Warning: Confirm the latch is fully engaged. A top-break that is not latched is dangerous.
4. Perform the function check.

5. Torque

No manufacturer torque values are recorded for this firearm.

Fit or check on rebuild

• Timing / carry-up: every chamber locks before the hammer falls, single and double action; cylinder gap and end shake — Standard revolver check after lockwork has been out; worn hand or cylinder stop gives the "does not lock up" fault under Common issues.
• Barrel latch fully engages and the hinge is tight — A top-break that is not latched is dangerous; hinge stretch is a known Webley wear point.
• Cylinder retained by the cam lever and lock screw — The cylinder slides off its axis if the cam is not back in its retaining position.

6. Function check

• 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.

If any check fails, the firearm is not safe to fire. Stop and see a licensed gunsmith.

Sources

1. Small Arms Training: Revolver, Webley .455 — British War Office primary
2. The Webley Story — William Chipchase Dowell secondary
3. The Webley Mk VI: Construction & Disassembly (reprint of May 2003 Exploded View) — American Rifleman (NRA) primary
   https://www.americanrifleman.org/content/the-webley-mk-vi-construction-disassembly/

Educational guide only. Some information comes from non-authoritative sources. Always consult your manufacturer's manual and a licensed gunsmith. Verify your firearm is unloaded before every procedure. Full disclaimer: https://github.com/Fundamental-build-LLC/Pew-Takedown

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.