The Shooter’s Companion

Shotguns·makers·models·history

An independent reference on sporting shotguns, for shooters, collectors, buyers and sellers.

Webley & Scott

Drawing of brick workshops, chimneys and a courtyard passage in Birmingham’s Gun Quarter.
Drawing: Birmingham’s Gun Quarter.

Origins

Webley traces its origins to Birmingham, England, in 1790.1 William Davis founded the predecessor business in Weaman Street.2, 3 Philip Webley took it over in 1845.4

William and Charles Scott founded W. & C. Scott in 1832, specialising in shotguns.5, 6 In 1897 P. Webley & Son amalgamated with W. & C. Scott & Sons and Richard Ellis & Son.7, 8, 9

Factories and partners

Webley's predecessor business stood in Weaman Street, Birmingham.3 Later premises stood in Park Lane, Handsworth.10 Webley & Scott's UK contact address is Highland Outdoors Limited in North Kilworth.11

Fuller Group trades publicly as Fuller Global.12 Fuller describes the brand as made today through international joint-venture partnerships.13

Webley India names Sial Manufacturers Pvt Ltd. as its partner for firearm production and sales.14 The factory is in Sandila, Hardoi.15 Webley India dates its manufacturing from 2019 and describes its 800 Semi Auto as made in India.16, 17

Timeline

1790

Webley dates its Birmingham origins to this year.1

1832

William and Charles Scott establish their shotgun business.5, 6

1845

Philip Webley takes over the predecessor business.4

1897

Webley, Scott and Richard Ellis amalgamate.7, 9

1900

Model 400 production begins.18

1922

Model 300 production begins.19

1925

Model 500 production begins.20

1927

Model 600 production begins.21

1947

Model 700 production begins.22

By February 1966

GUNS Magazine records the 701 as a best-grade .23, 24

1973

Webley and Greener are absorbed into the Harris & Sheldon Group.25

1979

Model 700 production ends.22

By 17 January 2008

ShootingUK describes the 1012, 1020 and 1028 .26, 27, 28

2012

Webley & Scott joins Fuller Group in partnership with John Bright.29

2019

Webley India dates the start of its Indian manufacturing activity to this year.16

Families and models

The earlier numbered range included the 400, made from 1900 to 1946, and the 300, made from 1922 to 1939.18, 19 The 500 ran from 1925 to 1946, and the 600 from 1927 to 1946.20, 21 The 700 followed in 1947 and stayed in production until 1979.22 It is a with Anson & Deeley boxlock lockwork and Southgate .30, 31

The 701 and 702 have higher finishes than the 700, and the 701 cost more than the 702.22, 32 In a February 1966 test, GUNS Magazine described the 701 as a best-grade boxlock.23, 24

The current Imperial is a boxlock with and a .33, 34 The Kilworth is a black-finished boxlock side-by-side with scroll .35, 36, 37 The 900 B is a boxlock over-and-under that Webley describes as designed in the UK.38, 39 The 812 Hybrid uses a hybrid and a rotating locking bolt head.40

Reading the names and numbers

In the 1000 series, the 1012, 1020 and 1028 are guns.27 The older 701 and 702 numbers mark higher finishes within the 700 range.22 The 900 B name places the gun in the Black series.41

Marks

The W&S winged-bullet trademark appears on a Webley & Scott Mk 1 pistol in the Australian War Memorial's collection.42, 43 The 900 B carries fleur-de-lys .44 The British records the year of proof or reproof.45 Arms Research lists a W&S Double Gun Register for 1975–1980 and Greener GP shotgun sales for 1972–1980.46, 47

Drawing of the action of an over-and-under shotgun.
Drawing: Detail of an over-and-under action.

Sources

  1. History, Origins. Webley India. maker website
  2. Webley & Scott history, Origins. Webley & Scott. maker website
  3. Webley & Scott history, Location. Webley & Scott. maker website
  4. Webley & Scott history, Takeover. Webley & Scott. maker website
  5. London gunmakers, Scott founders. Pitt Rivers Museum, University of Oxford. magazine
  6. London gunmakers, Scott date and work. Pitt Rivers Museum, University of Oxford. magazine
  7. The Webley Story, Merger year. Commonwealth Heritage Foundation, 1987. book
  8. The Webley Story, Webley. Commonwealth Heritage Foundation, 1987. book
  9. The Webley Story, Merger. Commonwealth Heritage Foundation, 1987. book
  10. The Webley Story, Handsworth. Commonwealth Heritage Foundation, 1987. book
  11. Contact information, Address. Webley & Scott. maker website
  12. About Fuller Global — group identity, Group name. Fuller Global. maker website
  13. Our Story — Webley & Scott joins the Fuller Group, Manufacturing. Fuller Global. maker website
  14. About Webley, Partnership. Webley India. maker website
  15. About Webley, Factory. Webley India. maker website
  16. History, Indian production. Webley India. maker website
  17. 800 Semi Auto Shotgun, Manufacture. Webley India. maker website
  18. Mechanisation in the Gun Trade, 400. Vintage Guns, 2018-06-28. magazine
  19. Mechanisation in the Gun Trade, 300. Vintage Guns, 2018-06-28. magazine
  20. Mechanisation in the Gun Trade, 500. Vintage Guns, 2018-06-28. magazine
  21. Mechanisation in the Gun Trade, 600. Vintage Guns, 2018-06-28. magazine
  22. Mechanisation in the Gun Trade, 700. Vintage Guns, 2018-06-28. magazine
  23. The Model 700 Webley & Scott, Date. GUNS Magazine, 1966-02. magazine
  24. The Model 700 Webley & Scott, Grade. GUNS Magazine, 1966-02. magazine
  25. Webley Mk. VI Revolver, Webley and Greener ownership. NRA Museums. magazine
  26. Webley & Scott 1000 series 20-bore shotgun review, Date. ShootingUK, 2008-01-17. magazine
  27. Webley & Scott 1000 series 20-bore shotgun review, Models. ShootingUK, 2008-01-17. magazine
  28. Webley & Scott 1000 series 20-bore shotgun review, Type. ShootingUK, 2008-01-17. magazine
  29. Our Story — Webley & Scott joins the Fuller Group, Group membership. Fuller Global. maker website
  30. Webley & Scott 700 shotgun review, Type. ShootingUK, 2008-09-10. magazine
  31. Fall and Rise. Part 2, Action. Vintage Guns, 2022-04-01. magazine
  32. Fall and Rise. Part 2, Grades. Vintage Guns, 2022-04-01. magazine
  33. Imperial Series, Action. Webley & Scott. maker website
  34. Imperial Series, Sideplates. Webley & Scott. maker website
  35. Kilworth Series, Finish. Webley & Scott. maker website
  36. Kilworth Series, Action. Webley & Scott. maker website
  37. Kilworth Series, Type. Webley & Scott. maker website
  38. 900 B (Black) Series, Action. Webley & Scott. maker website
  39. 900 B (Black) Series, Design. Webley & Scott. maker website
  40. 812 Hybrid Shotgun, Action. Webley & Scott. maker website
  41. 900 B (Black) Series, Name. Webley & Scott. maker website
  42. Webley & Scott Mk 1 Pistol, Model. Australian War Memorial. magazine
  43. Webley & Scott Mk 1 Pistol, Mark. Australian War Memorial. magazine
  44. 900 B (Black) Series, Proof. Webley & Scott. maker website
  45. Rules, regulations and scales for proof of small arms 2006, Proof year. Gunmakers’ Company and Guardians of the Birmingham Proof House, 2006. proof house
  46. The Webley & Scott Archive, Double gun register. Arms Research. maker website
  47. The Webley & Scott Archive, Greener register. Arms Research. maker website

Revised 2026-10-14