This revolver is a scarce example of the crossover from percussion to cartridge loading systems and provided a solution regarding the supply (or more likely lack of supply) of the then new-fangled centerfire cartridges (referred to in period as ‘fixed ammunition’) which were rapidly to become the dominant type of ammunition. Known as the “Dual System”, for a very short period of time (1865-1866) P. Webley & Son offered this type of revolver which was supplied with both a percussion and a cartridge cylinder, the cartridge cylinder usually chambered for .442 centrefire (a.k.a. .44 Webley) as with the present revolver but occasionally found chambered for .442 rimfire. The present revolver has a blued octagonal barrel with crescent blade shaped front sight, blued frame with grooved top strap and is serial numbered on the inner face of the hinged loading gate and on the front face of each blued cylinder. The right side of the barrel is fitted with a cartridge extractor and the left side a percussion rammer. Checkered walnut butt with iron butt-cap and lanyard loop. London black powder proof marks. In original fitted oak case lined in blue baize, the bottom left partition sized to take the cylinder not fitted to the revolver. With a suite of accessories including a brass “WD” 54 bore bullet mold (the "WD" stands for William Davis, Webley's father-in-law), pewter oiler, Sykes brass mounted copper powder flask, turned bone pot containing spare percussion nipples, japanned tins for Starkey & Adcock’s percussion caps, cast bullets and lubricating paste, and with loading rod with worm, turnscrew and nipple wrench with pricker.

Fine. The revolver retains 70% original blue finish with the remainder a dull discolored patina. The walnut butt has well-defined checkering and some age related handling wear. The revolver functions fine in single action but needs work to function properly in double action. The case and accessories are very good.