This pistol is a highly interesting artifact not only for what it is but also and maybe even more importantly for the story it tells. In new in box condition, we have a scarce Webley & Scott Model 1907 6.35 and .25 automatic pistol that was manufactured in 1940 and Sold in June of that year to the very Famous James Purdey & Sons in London in a 16 gun shipment of these pistols. As you may be aware of Great Britain was facing impending Invasion and the Battle of Britain was just beginning. The actual Purdey sales records show they guns were being desperately snapped up by the British Ruling Class, including Lords, Ladies, a Vice Air Marshall and high ranking officers. I’m sure in weapon starved Britain even these pea shooters were better than a rock against the Nazi invasion that was greatly feared.
Our new in the box example was purchased by the Earl of Sefton, an officer who was in government service at the time. He held various posts in the government and was the Lord Mayor of Liverpool for a time during the War. The early lived a very active life in service of the Crown and was a noted horse racing officiant and authority,a stereotypical English Lord. His wife was a close friend of the notorious Wallace Simpson. The documentation is ample and rich, showing a complete paper trail from Webley to Purdey to the actual sale to the Earl. One could spend many an evening researching the life of the former owner. Finding a Model 1907 in the box is an extreme rarity and finding the actual owner was a well known 20th century British personality just puts in into another level altogether.
