Member-only story

The Webley Service Revolver: A Legendary Weapon of the British Empire

Derek Cook

·11.8k Followers· Follow

Published in The Webley Service Revolver (Weapon 19)

5 min read · 1 month before

95 View Claps

14 Respond

Save

Listen

The Webley Service Revolver is an iconic firearm that played a pivotal role in British military and law enforcement history. This versatile weapon served as the standard-issue sidearm for the British Armed Forces for over 80 years, earning a reputation for reliability, accuracy, and stopping power. In this comprehensive article, we will explore the fascinating history, design, variants, and legacy of the Webley Service Revolver, Weapon 19.

Origins and Development

The Webley Service Revolver traces its lineage back to the late 19th century. In 1880, the British government issued a request for proposals for a new service revolver to replace the outdated Enfield Revolver. Several manufacturers submitted designs, including Webley & Scott, a renowned gunmaker based in Birmingham, England.

Webley & Scott's submission, designed by Philip Webley, was a double-action revolver chambered for the powerful .455 Webley cartridge. The revolver featured a solid-frame construction, a top-break action, and a unique automatic extractor that ejected spent cartridges with every opening of the cylinder.

The Webley Service Revolver (Weapon Book 19)

by Robert Maze

4.3 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	10448 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	83 pages

After extensive testing, the Webley revolver was adopted by the British Army in 1887 as the Webley Mark I Service Revolver. It quickly gained popularity among the troops for its ruggedness, accuracy, and ease of use.

Design and Features

The Webley Service Revolver is a double-action, top-break revolver. Its solid-frame construction provides exceptional strength and durability. The top-break action allows for quick and easy reloading by simply pivoting the barrel upwards, exposing the cylinder for loading and unloading.

The revolver features a cylinder capacity of six rounds, which was typical of service revolvers at the time. The .455 Webley cartridge, for which the revolver was chambered, was a powerful round with excellent stopping power.

One of the most distinctive features of the Webley Service Revolver is its automatic extractor. This ingenious mechanism ejects spent cartridges with every opening of the cylinder, simplifying the reloading process and allowing for rapid follow-up shots.

Variants and Upgrades

Throughout its service life, the Webley Service Revolver underwent several upgrades and modifications, resulting in a number of variants. The most notable variants include:

Webley Mark I (1887): The original service revolver adopted by the British Army.

Webley Mark II (1894): Featured a longer barrel, improved sights, and a redesigned trigger mechanism.

Webley Mark III (1897): Introduced a new, simplified extractor mechanism and a more powerful cartridge, the .455 Webley Mark II.

Webley Mark IV (1915): Simplified and streamlined to meet the demands of World War I, with a shorter barrel and fixed sights.

Webley Mark V (1932): The final military version, featuring a more ergonomic grip and a shortened trigger pull.

Combat Use and Legacy

The Webley Service Revolver was used extensively by the British military in numerous conflicts, including the Boer Wars, World War I, and World War II. It proved to be a reliable and effective weapon, earning a reputation for its accuracy, stopping power, and ease of use.

Beyond military service, the Webley Service Revolver was also widely used by British law enforcement agencies. Its ruggedness and dependability made it an ideal sidearm for police officers.

Collectors' Value and Popularity

Today, the Webley Service Revolver is a highly sought-after collector's item. Its historical significance, iconic design, and enduring reputation have made it a prized possession for firearms enthusiasts and history buffs alike.

Original examples of the Webley Service Revolver can command high prices in the collector's market, especially those in good condition. Collectors often value rare variants, such as the Webley Mark I, which was the first model adopted by the British Army.

The Webley Service Revolver, Weapon 19, is a legendary firearm that played a significant role in British military and law enforcement history. Its rugged construction, reliable operation, and impressive stopping power made it an indispensable sidearm for British forces in countless conflicts.

Today, the Webley Service Revolver remains a popular collector's item, prized for its historical significance, iconic design, and enduring legacy as a symbol of British firearms excellence.

The Webley Service Revolver (Weapon Book 19)

by Robert Maze

4.3 out of 5