Webley holster issues (too much webley)

I've had the same problem too with a new repro p37 holster so it's not a shrinkage issue. Correct me if I'm wrong but I think it's because of the size difference between the .38 and .455 webleys. The holster is designed for the former whilst the airsoft version is the latter.

The airsoft one will fit in a 1958 pattern holster with a slight squeeze though if you're feeling a bit anachronistic.

I have a couple of Webley holsters, one is bigger than the other.

I dampened the smaller one and jammed an old Glock into it until it stretched. Both holsters needed stretching to take a revolver. My leather German holster was the same, took loads of stretching to take a P38.

Just shove a gun into it and leave it for a long time.

Cheers
Martin

Thanks guys. I'll try stretching it and see how it goes. [emoji2]

..what he said..some are awkward. I can get my webley and 1911 in both of mine thankfully.

If you don't have any luck with that (I know from experience the bitter and often fruitless experience of trying to stretch 37-patt webbing!) then there is a holster available designed for the .455 Webley that will also take the 1911 very comfortably.

I have (hopefully) added a couple of pics, one modelled by a very handsome fellow (moi) and another showing the fit (bottom gun is the .455).-- attachment is not available ---- attachment is not available --

Do you know where I could get one of those holsters?

Tried stretching the holster last night and while leaving it to soak for a bit, one of my darling children decided to throw a bar of soap in with it all and now the holster is smeared with soap! Lovely.

That holster is the Canadian type, and was made to fit the .455 Webley (standard Canadian revolver at the time), where as the British 37 patt holster is made for the .38 Enfield/Webley, as it was the standard at the time and therefore the British holster will not fit larger frame revolvers (or anything other than a .38, it seems...).

[EDIT] Dom_e, is that SMLE a deact, or a custom rifle? If so I'd be interested in seeing some pics

Well that's a bugger. If I can't stretch this one I'll see if I can my hands on the Canadian version. Wanted to get it all sorted for kasserine you see.

Thanks for the help guys. Really appreciate it.

The Canadian ones turn up on eBay quite often, so maybe you'd have some luck there.

As Karkeeweb say:

"Only one holster was listed and this was a re-work of the 1935 .38-in holster introduced for use with Patt. ’08 W.E., though even this holster as origins as far back as Patt. ’19 W.E. The reverse face had two “C” clips for the belt, with a third mounted transversely, for connection to the Pouch, ammunition, pistol. The calibre of pistol - .38-in. - was not detailed until the 1939 instructional pamphlet was issued, but this also stated that a .455-in. pistol would fit. This was not the most elegant fit...

On the standard holster, the lower edge of the closed flap was parallel to the slanted and stitched edge. However, on some holsters the folded edge of the flap is almost square to the long side of the holster. It was accepted that these were for the.45-in. Colt Automatic pistol, even though not one piece of Army documentation has yet been seen. On preparing this write-up, part of KWRT became un-convinced that this was so! We were suddenly faced with .38-in revolvers not fitting the holster designed for it. We also had Colt Autos not fitting the standard holster - which they should - being smaller than the Pistol, revolver, No. 2.

It is not helpful that not one single official document has been seen, with reference, let alone a hint, of a special-to-type holster for the Colt Auto. Though a lack of documentation does not, in itself, prove it did not exist, KWRT are evenly divided. Part feel the “squared” holsters are a result of expedient, but relaxed Quality Control. Others still believe the “squared” design to have been deliberate. One has advanced the thought that the overall size of holsters was perhaps tweaked, as the War progressed, simply to contend with whatever pistol might require carriage. There is no doubt that the Colt Auto was used – the question being in what was it carried?!"

So who knows?

I have my Grandfather's 0.455 New Service Colt. It fits better in its holster which seems to have a fractionally longer "barrel length" to some of the other holsters but then again it's also been sat in it for 75 years!

Ah yes, I forgot about moving the press stud along a bit so the flap is "bigger". A 1911 fits fine in both of mine, it just took a degree of mucking around.

Cheers
Martin

I think I've got six or seven original holsters now. No two of the buggers are identical, they vary in size massively.

A couple will fit my .455, a couple don't even fit the M10, which is smaller than the .38 Webley.

Holsters are a definite Goldilocks item, just keep buying 'em until you get one that fits comfortably.

I hoping to get one of the Canadian holsters from eBay. Depending on finances, I may be able to get it before kasserine.

Oh bollocks, was hoping to buy the Webley during the summer, but this holster business makes me doubt . Thanks for heads up, though.

There's quite a lot of the larger canadian holsters on eBay so I wouldn't get too disheartened.

I'm returning the small holster by post so should be able to afford a Canadian one soon. Just wish I'd done my research first and got it right the first time.

Just wish I'd done my research first and got it right the first time.

tbh I'm not sure it is something which would have been easily researched anyway.

Cheers
Martin

My canadian holster arrived today, fresh from America! It fits perfectly and is all ready for kasserine. -- attachment is not available --

Glad to hear, mate. I tried my Webley in my 37 pattern holster for the first time after reading this thread, and sure enough it was comically too small.

Need to grab a Canadian holster before the milsim in June, methinks...

There's plenty on eBay but they all seem to be from America so postage costs almost the same as the holster!