The Shooter’s Companion

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Webley & Scott
700

A boxlock ejector with Anson & Deeley lockwork

Webley 700 · UKDouble Hammerless Ejector Gun · US

Drawing of a Webley & Scott 700 from the right: side-by-side 28-inch barrels, a boxlock action with open scroll, double triggers, a straight stock and a slim fore-end with a tip release.
Drawing: 12-bore standard, 28 in, right side

he Webley & Scott 700 is a ejector.1, 2 Its fixed-pin carries open scroll and colour in Standard 700 finish.3 The gun has a slim with an Anson push-rod release and a straight or semi-.4, 5

The uses Anson & Deeley lockwork and Southgate .1 Most guns have double triggers, although Webley offered a non-selective .6 Of the other grades, the 701 has extra-fine engraving and chequering, and the 702 is less ornate.7, 8

Specifications

12-bore

HingeFixed 9, 10, 11
LockworkAnson & Deeley 9, 10, 11
TriggerDouble triggers; non-selective optional9, 10, 11
EjectorsSouthgate 9, 10, 11
Made inBirmingham, United Kingdom12
Introduced194713
Bore12-bore
Barrels26, 28, 30 in

14, 15 Compare specifications

Specifications

ConfigurationBoreChambersBarrels, inFore-endGradeMarketsStockFinish
70014, 1512-bore26, 28, 30700USStraight or half-pistol grip
70020, 2112-bore25, 26, 28, 30Slim; Anson push-rod release700USStraight or semi-pistol grip; Slim; Anson push-rod release fore-end
70014, 1516-bore26, 28, 30700USStraight or half-pistol grip
70020, 2116-bore25, 26, 28, 30Slim; Anson push-rod release700USStraight or semi-pistol grip; Slim; Anson push-rod release fore-end
70014, 1520-bore26, 28, 30700USStraight or half-pistol grip
70020, 2120-bore25, 26, 28, 30Slim; Anson push-rod release700USStraight or semi-pistol grip; Slim; Anson push-rod release fore-end
70022, 2120-bore76 mm (3 in)700US
70022, 2128-bore700US
70123, 2112-bore701USExtra-fine and engraving
70223, 2112-bore702USLess ornate than the 701 engraving

Scroll for more columns.

Identify and date

The 700 has a and no extension.24 Earlier 400 and 500 models have a screw- third bite and a top extension, and the 600 lacks the extension but has no ejectors.25 The AYA No. 4 Deluxe has a replaceable and disc-set strikers; the 700's is fixed.26, 3

The barrels of Model 700 no. 142673 read “Webley & Scott, Birmingham”.27, 28 British shotgun sit on the and .29 Birmingham date marks resumed on 18 July 1950 and changed each January: LB stands for 1960 and RB for 1966.30, 31 A need not match the year of manufacture.32

WhereMarkings
Barrels of no. 142673Webley & Scott, Birmingham33
and British 34

Proof date

The 1921–1942 sequence uses proof periods that span two calendar years. Birmingham restarted its date marks on 18 July 1950 and changed them on 1 January thereafter. AB and BB each appear twice, AB for 1950 and 1975 and BB for 1951 and 1976.31, 30, 35

Proof date codes

Arms Research holds factory sales invoices from 1936–1981 and supplies a copy when it finds a record.36 Contact the maker

Before you buy

  1. Ask a gunsmith to assess the joint and front-lump hook: the lower part of the hook can bend open and let the gun come off the face.37, 38
  2. Read the and proof marks on the gun itself; the reviewed Stanbury copy carries Birmingham 3¼-ton marks for 2¾-inch cartridges.39
  3. Find out whether the gun has double triggers or the optional non-selective before you try them.6
  4. Have the demonstrated: they lift an unfired and throw out a fired case.40
  5. Inspect the barrels around any repaired dents; the reviewed Stanbury copy had two dents raised near the muzzles.39
  6. Check that the finish matches the claimed grade: the 701 has finely figured walnut and extra-fine and , while the 702 is less ornate.7

History

The 700 replaced the post-war Standard and Special models in 1947, and production continued to 1979.41 In March 1960 Webley & Scott advertised 12-, 16- and 20- guns in the US, with 26-, 28- or 30-inch barrels.42, 43, 44 By February 1966 the US importer had also obtained 28- guns and 20-bores chambered for three-inch magnum cartridges.45, 46

Cogswell & Harrison sold rebadged 700s as the Markor.47 One later 700, reviewed in print, copied Percy Stanbury's specification with 30-inch barrels, a semi- and a flat file-cut , but kept double triggers.2 The Field, more cautiously, describes Stanbury's original gun as a customised 400.48

DateChangeObservable feature
US special orders included a magnum 20-bore and a 28-bore by February 196622, 49Three-inch on the magnum 20-

Sources

  1. Webley 700 grades and the Cogswell & Harrison Markor, grades-and-action. Vintage Guns, 2022-04-01. magazine · Archive
  2. Webley & Scott 700: Stanbury-style test gun and hook wear, configuration. ShootingUK, 2008-09-10. magazine · Archive
  3. Webley & Scott 700: Stanbury-style test gun and hook wear, standard-finish. ShootingUK, 2008-09-10. magazine · Archive
  4. The Model 700 Webley & Scott: specifications and maker interview, fore-end. GUNS, 1966-02. magazine · Archive
  5. The Model 700 Webley & Scott: specifications and maker interview, grips. GUNS, 1966-02. magazine · Archive
  6. The Model 700 Webley & Scott: specifications and maker interview, triggers. GUNS, 1966-02. magazine · Archive
  7. The Model 700 Webley & Scott: specifications and maker interview, grades. GUNS, 1966-02. magazine · Archive
  8. Webley 700 grades and the Cogswell & Harrison Markor, price-order. Vintage Guns, 2022-04-01. magazine · Archive
  9. Webley & Scott 700: Stanbury-style test gun and hook wear, Standard finish. ShootingUK, 2008-09-10. magazine · Archive
  10. Webley 700 grades and the Cogswell & Harrison Markor, Grades and action. Vintage Guns, 2022-04-01. magazine · Archive
  11. The Model 700 Webley & Scott: specifications and maker interview, Triggers. GUNS, 1966-02. magazine · Archive
  12. Bonhams Modern Sporting Guns: Model 700 no. 142673, lot 466, page 173, p. 173, Barrel wording. Bonhams, 2019. auction lot · Archive
  13. Percy Stanbury’s Webley & Scott: distinctions and 700 succession, Succession. The Field, 2012-05-08. magazine · Archive
  14. Webley 700 maker advertisement, GUNS March 1960, page 41, p. 41, Barrels; Stock; Sporting use; Issue. Webley & Scott in GUNS, 1960-03. maker catalogue · Archive
  15. Webley 700 maker advertisement, GUNS March 1960, page 41, US distribution. Webley & Scott in GUNS, 1960-03. maker catalogue · Archive
  16. Webley 700 maker advertisement, GUNS March 1960, page 41, p. 41, Action. Webley & Scott in GUNS, 1960-03. maker catalogue · Archive
  17. The Model 700 Webley & Scott: specifications and maker interview, Fore-end. GUNS, 1966-02. magazine · Archive
  18. The Model 700 Webley & Scott: specifications and maker interview, Grips. GUNS, 1966-02. magazine · Archive
  19. AyA No 4 Deluxe in 20 bore: comparison with Webley 700, Hinge and strikers. Gun Mart, 2016-12-13. magazine · Archive
  20. The Model 700 Webley & Scott: specifications and maker interview, Chambers and lengths; Gauges and US special orders; Grips; Fore-end; Standard stocks; Rib and extras. GUNS, 1966-02. magazine · Archive
  21. The Model 700 Webley & Scott: specifications and maker interview, Model and issue; Test scope. GUNS, 1966-02. magazine · Archive
  22. The Model 700 Webley & Scott: specifications and maker interview, Gauges and US special orders. GUNS, 1966-02. magazine · Archive
  23. The Model 700 Webley & Scott: specifications and maker interview, Grades; Gauges and US special orders. GUNS, 1966-02. magazine · Archive
  24. Webley 700 maker advertisement, GUNS March 1960, page 41, action. Webley & Scott in GUNS, 1960-03. maker catalogue · Archive
  25. Percy Stanbury’s Webley & Scott: distinctions and 700 succession, earlier-actions. The Field, 2012-05-08. magazine · Archive
  26. AyA No 4 Deluxe in 20 bore: comparison with Webley 700, hinge-and-strikers. Gun Mart, 2016-12-13. magazine · Archive
  27. Bonhams Modern Sporting Guns: Model 700 no. 142673, lot 466, page 173, barrel-wording. Bonhams, 2019. auction lot · Archive
  28. Bonhams Modern Sporting Guns: Model 700 no. 142673, lot 466, page 173, model-and-number. Bonhams, 2019. auction lot · Archive
  29. London Proof House: services and shotgun marks, shotgun-stamp-positions. London Proof House. proof house · Archive
  30. British Gunmakers Volume 2: Birmingham proof-date codes, restart-and-annual-changes. Nigel Brown; Quiller Press; excerpt hosted by Hallowell & Co., 2005. book · Archive
  31. British Gunmakers Volume 2: Birmingham proof-date codes, code-table. Nigel Brown; Quiller Press; excerpt hosted by Hallowell & Co., 2005. book · Archive
  32. Historic Arms Resource Centre: British proof-date codes, proof-and-manufacture. Historic Arms Resource Centre. magazine · Archive
  33. Bonhams Modern Sporting Guns: Model 700 no. 142673, lot 466, page 173, p. 173, Model and number; Barrel wording. Bonhams, 2019. auction lot · Archive
  34. London Proof House: services and shotgun marks, Shotgun stamp positions. London Proof House. proof house · Archive
  35. Historic Arms Resource Centre: British proof-date codes, pre-war-table. Historic Arms Resource Centre. magazine · Archive
  36. Arms Research: Webley & Scott invoice research, Invoice records; Copies. Arms Research. maker website · Archive
  37. Webley & Scott 700: Stanbury-style test gun and hook wear, hook-wear. ShootingUK, 2008-09-10. magazine · Archive
  38. Webley & Scott 700: Stanbury-style test gun and hook wear, loose-joint. ShootingUK, 2008-09-10. magazine · Archive
  39. Webley & Scott 700: Stanbury-style test gun and hook wear, barrels-and-proof. ShootingUK, 2008-09-10. magazine · Archive
  40. The Model 700 Webley & Scott: specifications and maker interview, ejectors. GUNS, 1966-02. magazine · Archive
  41. Percy Stanbury’s Webley & Scott: distinctions and 700 succession, succession. The Field, 2012-05-08. magazine · Archive
  42. Webley 700 maker advertisement, GUNS March 1960, page 41, barrels. Webley & Scott in GUNS, 1960-03. maker catalogue · Archive
  43. Webley 700 maker advertisement, GUNS March 1960, page 41, issue. Webley & Scott in GUNS, 1960-03. maker catalogue · Archive
  44. Webley 700 maker advertisement, GUNS March 1960, page 41, us-distribution. Webley & Scott in GUNS, 1960-03. maker catalogue · Archive
  45. The Model 700 Webley & Scott: specifications and maker interview, gauges-and-us-special-orders. GUNS, 1966-02. magazine · Archive
  46. The Model 700 Webley & Scott: specifications and maker interview, model-and-issue. GUNS, 1966-02. magazine · Archive
  47. Webley 700 grades and the Cogswell & Harrison Markor, retailer-name. Vintage Guns, 2022-04-01. magazine · Archive
  48. Percy Stanbury’s Webley & Scott: distinctions and 700 succession, original-stanbury-gun. The Field, 2012-05-08. magazine · Archive
  49. The Model 700 Webley & Scott: specifications and maker interview, Model and issue. GUNS, 1966-02. magazine · Archive

Revised