Any ideas What this thing is?

[eddiememphis]

Uncle gave it to me when I was a kid. He said it was a dueling pistol and pointed to three notches in the grip. It's a mess and I'll never shoot it but was wondering if anyone has an idea of what it is.

https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-hz8Nz4q/0/S/i-hz8Nz4q-S.jpg

https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-j7h2K4j/0/S/i-j7h2K4j-S.jpg

https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-Gqc6Sgz/0/S/i-Gqc6Sgz-S.jpg

[Circuits]

Break-action single shot pistol.

Almost certainly nothing to do with dueling, as dueling was pretty much outlawed everywhere by the time fixed-cartridge ammunition was being produced.

Is it marked as to cartridge/caliber? If not, need to measure the bore and inspect or cast the chamber to determine what it takes. If it's a smoothbore it might be a .410, from the looks of that chamber area.

2nd proof mark looks like a German nitro proof symbol to me.

[eddiememphis]

I'm sure he was giving me the business about it being an actual dueling pistol. I think I was seven at the time.

It's a .22 with a rifled barrel. A .22lr drops right in and ejects correctly.

[encorehunter]

Just a guess, but being a .22 it may be a gallery gun.

[.455_Hunter]

The winged bullet is the maker's mark for Webley & Scott in Birmingham, and you can see part of the W S. Definitely not a low-end piece. It is a parlor gun for indoor target shooting.

[Colorado Osprey]

Definately a Webley https://www.icollector.com/Webley-Scott-Single-Shot-Pistol_i12219247
Looks to be worth some coin

[eddiememphis]

The winged bullet is the maker's mark for Webley & Scott in Birmingham, and you can see part of the W S. Definitely not a low-end piece. It is a parlor gun for indoor target shooting.

Thanks for that. After you identified it as a Webley & Scott I was able to find out a bit more about it.

England had odd laws about firearm ownership. This model of gun was often held by clubs that train prospective gun owners. They had to prove competence before they could own a gun.
So a single shot .22 was (and in my opinion, is) perfect for training new shooters.

There was a confiscation around 1996 where people had to turn in their guns. A lot of these old Webley's were taken from the shooting clubs and destroyed.

When they were made, they were a mid grade target pistol. Supposed to be very accurate.

As popular as they seemed to have been, there is little information on them.

If anyone has any more to add, please do so.

[wctriumph]

Cool piece of history you have there.