Revolver owned by Commander W E May, RN (1899-1989) with holster (see AAA2421.1). Twin rubber plaques are applied to each side of the butt to form a grip. The solid frame is made in one with the barrel. The rear sight is situated on top of an inversed moveable stirrup which secures the frame in a firing position and is actuated by a thumb catch on the left side of the rear of the frame, acting against a 'V' spring on the right. The lock is double action, six-chambered cylinder with manual or automatic cocking. The barrel is basically six-sided with a pronounced foresight. The calibre is 0.455in. The revolver is in a khaki holster. The revolver is inscribed 'WEBLEY/MARK VI/PATENTS/1915' and '164344' (serial number). Commander Edward May was born in 1899 and entered the Royal Navy in 1912. He served at the battle of Jutland as a Midshipman on board HMS 'Temeraire'. He was mentioned in dispatches in 1918 for his part in sinking U boat 'U64'. After the First World War he qualified as a navigating officer and during the Second World War was put in charge of gyro compass installation. He was Deputy Director of the National Maritime Museum from 1951-1968. Commander May died in 1989.