View source for Webley Revolver

{{Short description|Service revolver}}
{{Infobox weapon
| name               = Webley Revolver
| image              = File:Webley IMG 6789.jpg
| image_size         = 300
| caption            = A Webley Mk. VI top-break revolver.
| origin             = [[United Kingdom]]
| type               = [[Service pistol|Service]] [[revolver]]
<!-- Type selection -->| is_ranged          = yes
| is_UK              = yes
<!-- Service history -->| service            = 1887–1963<ref>{{cite web|author-last1=Dabbs|author-first1=Will|date=January 17, 2022|title=The webley revolver: Sidearm of an Empire|website=The Armory Life|url=https://www.thearmorylife.com/the-webley-revolver-sidearm-of-an-empire/}}</ref>
| used_by            = See ''[[Webley Revolver#Users|Users]]''
| wars               = [[Second Boer War]]<br />[[Boxer Rebellion]]<br />[[World War I]]<br />[[Easter Rising]]<br />[[Irish War of Independence]]<br />[[Irish Civil War]]<br />[[World War II]]<br />[[Northern Campaign (Irish Republican Army)|Northern Campaign]]<br />[[Indonesian National Revolution]]<br />[[Malayan Emergency]]<br />[[First Indochina War]]<br />[[Korean War]]<br />[[Vietnam War]]<br />[[British Empire|British colonial conflicts]]<br />[[Rhodesian Bush War]]<br />[[Border Campaign (Irish Republican Army)|Border Campaign]]<br />[[The Troubles]]
<!-- Production history -->| designer           = [[Webley & Scott]]
| design_date        = 1887
| manufacturer       = Webley & Scott, [[Royal Small Arms Factory|RSAF Enfield]]
| production_date    = 1887–1924
| number             = approx. 125,000
| variants           = <!-- General specifications -->
| spec_label         = Revolver Mk VI
| weight             = {{convert|2.4|lb|abbr=on}}, unloaded
| length             = {{convert|11.25|in|mm|abbr=on}}
| part_length        = {{convert|6|in |mm|abbr=on}}
<!-- Ranged weapon specifications -->| cartridge          = * [[.455 Webley|.455 Webley Mk II]]
* [[.45 ACP]]
| caliber            = .455 (11.6 mm)
| action             = Single or double action
| rate               = 20–30 rounds/minute
| velocity           = {{convert|620 |ft/s|m/s|abbr=on}}
| range              = {{convert|50| yd|m|abbr=on}}
| max_range          = 
| feed               = 6-round cylinder
| sights             = Fixed front blade and rear notch
}}

The '''Webley Revolver''' (also known as the '''Webley Top-Break Revolver''' or '''Webley Self-Extracting Revolver''') was, in various [[Mark (designation)|designations]], a standard issue [[service pistol|service revolver]] for the armed forces of the United Kingdom, and countries of the [[British Empire]], from 1887 to 1963.

The Webley is a [[Break-action|top-break]] revolver and breaking the revolver operates the [[extractor (firearms)|extractor]], which removes [[cartridge (firearms)|cartridges]] from the [[cylinder (firearms)|cylinder]]. The '''Webley Mk I''' service revolver was adopted in 1887 and the '''Mk IV''' rose to prominence during the [[Second Boer War|Boer War of 1899–1902]]. The '''Mk VI''' was introduced in 1915, during wartime, and is the best-known model.

Firing large [[.455 Webley]] cartridges, Webley service revolvers are among the most powerful top-break revolvers produced. The .455 calibre Webley is no longer in military service. {{As of|1999}}, the [[.38/200]] Webley Mk IV variant was still in use as a police sidearm in a number of countries.<ref>[http://www.cruffler.com/historic-july99.html "Historic firearm of the month", July 1999], Cruffler.com. Retrieved on 2006-12-02</ref>

==History==
[[Webley & Scott]] (P. Webley & Son before merger with W & C Scott in 1897) produced a range of [[revolver]]s from the mid 19th to late 20th centuries.  As early as 1853 P. Webley and J. Webley began production of their [[Webley Longspur|first patented single action cap and ball revolvers]].  Later under the trade name of P. Webley and Son, manufacturing included their own {{convert|0.44|in|mm|abbr=on}} calibre rim-fire solid frame revolver as well as licensed copies of [[Smith & Wesson]]'s tip up break action revolvers.  The quintessential hinged frame, centre-fire revolvers for which the Webley name is best known first began production/development in the early 1870s most notably with the Webley-Pryse (1877) and Webley-Kaufman (1881) models.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.phelbs.com/HRFTX/tbbd.htm |access-date=2011-03-28 |last=Ficken |first=Homer R. |title=Webley's 'The British Bull Dog' Revolver: Serial Numbering and Variations |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120223210553/http://www.phelbs.com/HRFTX/tbbd.htm |archive-date=2012-02-23 }}</ref><ref name="Kinard2004">{{cite book|last=Kinard|first=Jeff|title=Pistols: An Illustrated History of Their Impact|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZVnuHX_6bG0C&pg=PA141|year=2004|publisher=ABC-CLIO|isbn=978-1-85109-470-7|page=141}}</ref>

The W.G. or Webley-Government models produced from 1885 through to the early 1900s, are the most popular of the commercial top break revolvers and many were the private purchase choice of British military officers and target shooters in the period, coming in a .476/.455 calibre. Other short-barrel solid-frame revolvers, including the [[Webley RIC]] ([[Royal Irish Constabulary]]) model and the [[British Bulldog revolver]], designed to be carried in a coat pocket for self-defence were far more commonplace during the period. Today, the best-known are the range of military revolvers, which were in service use in two World Wars and numerous colonial conflicts.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.phelbs.com/HRFTX/tbbd.htm |access-date=2011-03-28 |last=Ficken |first=Homer R. |title=Webley's 'The British Bull Dog' Revolver: Serial Numbering and Variations |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120223210553/http://www.phelbs.com/HRFTX/tbbd.htm |archive-date=2012-02-23 }}</ref><ref name="Kinard2004"/>

In 1887, the [[British Army]] was searching for a revolver to replace the largely unsatisfactory .476 [[Enfield Revolver|Enfield Mk I & Mk II revolvers]], the Enfield having only replaced the solid frame [[.450 Adams|Adams .450]] revolver which was a late 1860s conversion of the cap and ball [[Beaumont–Adams revolver]] in 1880. Webley & Scott, who were already very well known makers of quality guns and had sold many pistols on a commercial basis to military officers and civilians alike, tendered the .455 calibre Webley Self-Extracting Revolver for trials. The military was suitably impressed with the revolver (it was seen as a vast improvement over the Enfield revolvers then in service, as the American-designed Owen extraction system did not prove particularly satisfactory), and it was adopted on 8 November 1887 as the "Pistol, Webley, Mk I".<ref>''[[List of Changes|List of Changes in British War Material]]'' (hereafter referred to as "List of Changes"), H.M. Stationer's Office, periodical § 6075</ref> The initial contract called for 10,000 Webley revolvers, at a price of [[£sd|£3/1/1]] each, with at least 2,000 revolvers to be supplied within eight months.<ref>{{harvnb|Skennerton|1997|p=6}}</ref>

The Webley revolver went through a number of changes, culminating in the Mk VI, which was in production between 1915 and 1923. The Mk VI was also produced by the Enfield arsenal between 1921 and 1926. The large .455 Webley revolvers were retired in 1947, although the Webley Mk IV .38/200 remained in service until 1963 alongside the Enfield No. 2 Mk I revolver. Commercial versions of all Webley service revolvers were also sold on the civilian market, along with a number of similar designs (such as the Webley-Government and '''Webley-Wilkinson''') that were not officially adopted for service, but were nonetheless purchased privately by military officers. Webley's records show the last Mk VI was sold from the factory in 1957, with "Nigeria" noted against the entry.{{citation needed|date=October 2020}}





<gallery mode="packed" heights="140px">
File:Webley MkI P0.jpg|A Webley Mark I Revolver, circa 1887, from Canada, cal .455 (Mk I) Webley
File:Thinktank Birmingham - object 1949S00001.jpg|Webley Mark VI .455 service revolver
File:Webley-Mk-VI-p1030102.jpg|Close up of the cylinder (including thumb catch) on a Webley Mk VI service revolver
File:Webley W. G. Model.JPG|Webley WG Revolver .455/476 ([[.476 Enfield]])
File:Webley IMG 6793.jpg|A Webley Revolver, opened
File:IOF-32-REV-1.JPG|The [[IOF .32 Revolver]] is a derivative of a Webley produced in India
File:Khyber Pass copy Webley Pocket revolver.jpg|Fake Webley Pocket Pistol (in .38 S&W) at [[Bagram Airfield]], Afghanistan
File:455in SAA Ball - Webley 455 Ammunition.jpg|.455 in SAA Ball ammunition.
File:380RevolverMkIIz Cartridges.JPG|A box of Second World War dated 24 July 1944 in .380 Revolver Mk IIz cartridges
</gallery>

==In military service==
===Boer War===
The Webley Mk IV, chambered in .455 Webley, was introduced in 1899 and soon became known as the "[[Second Boer War|Boer War]] Model",<ref>{{harvnb|Maze|2002|p=44}}</ref> on account of the large numbers of officers and [[non-commissioned officers]] who purchased it on their way to take part in the conflict. The Webley Mk IV served alongside a large number of other handguns, including the [[Mauser C96|Mauser C96 "Broomhandle"]] (as used by [[Winston Churchill]] during the War), earlier [[Beaumont–Adams revolver|Beaumont–Adams]] cartridge revolvers, and other top-break revolvers manufactured by gunmakers such as [[William Tranter]], and [[Kynoch]].{{citation needed|date=October 2020}}

===First World War===
The standard-issue Webley revolver at the outbreak of the First World War was the Webley Mk V (adopted 9 December 1913<ref name=Dowell87_p115>{{harvnb|Dowell|1987|p=115}}</ref>), but there were considerably more Mk IV revolvers in service in 1914,<ref>{{harvnb|Dowell|1987|p=114}}</ref> as the initial order for 20,000 Mk V revolvers had not been completed when hostilities began.<ref name=Dowell87_p115/> They were issued first to officers, pipers and range takers, and later to airmen, naval crews, boarding parties, [[Trench raiding|trench raiders]], machine-gun teams, and [[tank]] crews. They were then issued to many Allied soldiers as a sidearm. The Mk VI proved to be a very reliable and hardy weapon, well suited to the mud and adverse conditions of trench warfare, and several accessories were developed for the Mk VI, including a [[bayonet]] (made from a converted French Gras bayonet),<ref>{{harvnb|Dowell|1987|p=116}}</ref> [[speedloader]] devices (the "Prideaux Device" and the Watson design),<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.classic-arms.com/webley/Webley%201915.pdf |title=Webley 1890 |access-date=2011-08-19 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110215222125/http://www.classic-arms.com/webley/Webley%201915.pdf |archive-date=2011-02-15 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |first=Nigel |last=Utting |url=http://www.utting.org/writing/nvtu/shooting/prideaux-loader.pdf |title=Magazine Loader for Rapidly Loading Revolvers: A historical review |access-date=2011-08-19 |archive-date=2016-03-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303215034/http://www.utting.org/writing/nvtu/shooting/prideaux-loader.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Dowell|1987|p=178}}</ref> and a stock allowing for the revolver to be converted into a [[carbine]].<ref>{{harvnb|Maze|2002|p=49}}</ref>

Demand exceeded production, which was already behind as the war began. This forced the British
government to buy substitute weapons chambered in .455 Webley from neutral countries. America provided the [[Smith & Wesson Triple Lock|Smith & Wesson 2nd Model "Hand Ejector"]] and [[Colt New Service|Colt New Service Revolvers]]. Spanish gunsmiths in [[Eibar]] made acceptable copies of popular guns and were chosen to close the gap cheaply by making a .455 variant of their 11mm ''M1884'' or ''"S&W Model 7 ONÁ"'' revolver, a copy of the [[Smith & Wesson Model 3|Smith & Wesson ''.44 Double Action First Model'']]. The ''Pistol, Revolver, Old Pattern, No. 1 Mk. 1'' was by [[Garate, Anitua y Cia.]] and the ''Pistol, Revolver, Old Pattern, No.2 Mk.1'' was by [[Trocaola, Aranzabal y Cia.]] [[Orbea|Orbea Hermanos y Cia.]] made 10,000 pistols. [[Rexach & Urgoite]] was tapped for an initial order of 500 revolvers, but they were rejected due to defects.{{citation needed|date=October 2020}}

===Second World War===
[[File:Festungsmuseum Reuenthal Sonderausstellung Zuleger Webley Mk IV 38.jpg|thumb|right|Webley Mk IV in .38]]

The official service pistol for the British military during the [[Second World War]] was the [[Enfield No. 2|Enfield No. 2 Mk I]] .38/200 calibre revolver.<ref name=Smith79_p11>{{harvnb|Smith|1979|p=11}}</ref> Owing to a critical shortage of handguns, a number of other weapons were also adopted (first practically, then officially) to alleviate the shortage. As a result, both the Webley Mk IV in .38/200 and Webley Mk VI in .455 calibre were issued to personnel during the war.<ref>{{harvnb|Stamps|Skennerton|1993|p=87}}</ref>

===Post-war use===
The Webley Mk VI (.455) and Mk IV (.38/200) revolvers were still issued to British and Commonwealth forces after the Second World War; there were now extensive stockpiles of the revolvers in military stores, yet they suffered from ammunition shortages. This lack of ammunition was instrumental in keeping the Enfield and Webley revolvers in use so long: they were not wearing out because they were not being used. An armourer stationed in [[West Germany]] joked by the time they were officially retired in 1963, the ammunition allowance was "two cartridges per man, per year."<ref>{{harvnb|Stamps|Skennerton|1993|p=117}}</ref>

The Webley Mk IV .38 revolver was not completely replaced by the [[Browning Hi-Power]] until 1963, and saw use in the Korean War, the [[Suez Crisis]], [[Malayan Emergency]] and the [[Rhodesian Bush War]]. Many Enfield No. 2 Mk I revolvers were still circulating in British military service as late as 1970.<ref>{{harvnb|Stamps|Skennerton|1993|p=119}}</ref>

===Police use===
The [[Royal Hong Kong Police]] and [[Singapore Police Force]] were issued Webley Mk III & Mk IV (38S&W then.38/200) revolvers from the 1930s. Singaporean police (and some other "officials") Webleys were equipped with safety catches, a rather unusual feature in a revolver. These were gradually retired in the 1970s as they came in for repair, and were replaced with [[Smith & Wesson Model 10]] .38 revolvers. The [[London Metropolitan Police]] were also known to use Webley revolvers, as were most colonial police units until just after the Second World War.{{citation needed|date=October 2020}} The [[Royal Canadian Mounted Police]] and [[Shanghai Municipal Police]] received Webley Mk VI revolvers during the interwar period.{{sfn|Maze|2012|page=57}} 

The [[Ordnance Factories Organisation|Ordnance Factory Board of India]] still manufactures .380 Revolver Mk IIz cartridges,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ofbindia.gov.in/products/data/ammunition/sc/10.htm |access-date=2006-08-03 |title=Cartridge SA .380" Ball Revolver|publisher=Indian Ordnance Factories}}</ref> as well as a [[.32 S&W Long|.32 calibre]] revolver (the [[IOF .32 Revolver]]) with {{convert|2|in|mm|adj=on}} barrel which is clearly based on the Webley Mk IV .38 service pistol.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ofbindia.gov.in/products/data/weapons/wsc/3.htm |access-date=2006-08-03 |title=Revolver 32 (7.65 mm x 23) |publisher=Indian Ordnance Factories}}</ref>

===Military service .455 Webley revolver marks and models===
There were six different marks of .455 calibre Webley British Government Model revolvers approved for British military service at various times between 1887 and the end of the First World War:
* '''Mk I''': The first Webley self-extracting revolver adopted for service, officially adopted 8 November 1887, with a {{convert|4|in|mm|adj=on}} barrel and "bird's beak" style grips. '''Mk I*''' was a factory upgrade of Mk I revolvers to match the Mk II.
* '''Mk II''': Similar to the Mk I, with modifications to the hammer and grip shape, as well as a hardened steel shield for the blast-shield. Officially adopted 21 May 1895, with a {{convert|4|in|mm|adj=on}} barrel.<ref>''List of Changes'' § 7816<!-- WHAT does this mean? -->{{full citation needed|date=October 2020}}</ref>
* '''Mk III''': Identical to Mk II, but with modifications to the cylinder cam and related parts. Officially adopted 5 October 1897, most not issued, with exception of a number that were marked with the "broad arrow" acceptance stamp on the top strap. These few went to the Royal Navy.<ref>''List of Changes'' § 9039</ref>
* '''Mk IV''': The "Boer War" Model. Manufactured using much higher quality steel and case hardened parts, with the cylinder axis being a fixed part of the barrel and modifications to various other parts, including a re-designed blast-shield. Officially adopted 21 July 1899, with a {{convert|4|in|mm|adj=on}} barrel.<ref>''List of Changes'' § 9787</ref>
* '''Mk V''': Similar to the Mk IV, but with cylinders {{convert|0.12|in|mm|adj=on}} wider to allow for the use of nitrocellulose propellant-based cartridges. Officially adopted 9 December 1913, with a {{convert|4|in|mm|adj=on}} barrel, although some models produced in 1915 had {{convert|5|in|mm|adj=on}} and {{convert|6|in|mm|adj=on}} barrels.<ref>''List of Changes'' § 16783</ref>
* '''Mk VI''': Similar to the Mk V, but with a squared-off "target" style grip (as opposed to the "bird's-beak" style found on earlier marks and models) and a {{convert|6|in|mm|adj=on}} barrel. Officially adopted 24 May 1915,<ref>''List of Changes'' § 17319</ref> and also manufactured by RSAF Enfield under the designation '''Pistol, Revolver, Webley, No. 1 Mk VI''' 1921–1926.<ref>{{harvnb|Skennerton|1997|p=10}}</ref>

==The Webley Mk IV .38/200 Service Revolver==
{{Infobox weapon
| name               = Webley Mk IV .38/200 Service Revolver
| image              = File:Webley revolver IMG 1524.jpg
| caption            = 
| origin             = [[British Empire]]
| type               = [[Service pistol|Service revolver]]
<!-- Type selection -->| is_ranged          = yes
| is_UK              = yes
<!-- Service history -->| service            = 1932–1963
| used_by            = [[British Empire|United Kingdom & Colonies]], [[Commonwealth of Nations|British Commonwealth]]
| wars               = Second World War, Korean War, British colonial conflicts
<!-- Production history -->| designer           = [[Webley & Scott]]
| design_date        = 1932
| manufacturer       = [[Webley & Scott]]
| production_date    = 1932–1978
| number             = approx. 500,000
| variants           = <!-- General specifications -->
| weight             = 2.3 lb (995 g), unloaded
| length             = 10.25 in (260 mm)
| part_length        = 5 in. (125 mm)
<!-- Ranged weapon specifications -->| cartridge          = [[.38/200|.380" Revolver Mk IIz]]
| caliber            = .38 (9 mm)
| action             = Double action
| rate               = 20–30 rounds/minute
| velocity           = 620 ft/s (190 m/s)
| range              = {{convert|50|yd|abbr=on}}
| max_range          = {{convert|300|yd|abbr=on}}
| feed               = 6-round cylinder
| sights             = fixed front post and rear notch
}}

At the end of the First World War, the British military decided that the .455 calibre gun and cartridge was too large for modern military use and concluded after numerous tests and extensive trials, that a pistol in .38 calibre firing a 200-grain (13&nbsp;g) bullet would be just as effective as the .455 for stopping an enemy.<ref>{{harvnb|Stamps|Skennerton|1993|p=9}}</ref><ref name=Smith79_p11/>

Webley & Scott immediately tendered the [[.38/200]] calibre Webley Mk IV revolver, which as well as being nearly identical in appearance to the .455 calibre Mk VI revolver (albeit scaled down for the smaller cartridge), was based on their .38 calibre Webley Mk III pistol, designed for the police and civilian markets.<ref>{{harvnb|Maze|2002|p=103}}</ref> (The .38 Webley Mk III used black powder cartridges, as did the .455 Webley Mk IV; they should not be fired with the smokeless powder cartridges developed for the .38 Webley Mk IV and .455 Webley Mk V and Mk VI.)

Much to their surprise, the British Government took the design to the [[Royal Small Arms Factory]] at [[Enfield Lock]], which<!--removed "used the design" as this is denied in the next paragraph--> came up with a revolver that was externally very similar looking to the .38/200 calibre Webley Mk IV, but was internally different enough that no parts from the Webley could be used in the Enfield and vice versa.{{citation needed|date=October 2020}}

The Enfield-designed pistol was quickly accepted under the designation ''[[Enfield No. 2|Pistol, Revolver, No. 2 Mk I]]'', and was adopted in 1932,<ref>§ A6862, LoC</ref> followed in 1938 by the Mk I* (spurless hammer, double action only),<ref>§ B2289, LoC</ref> and finally the Mk I** (simplified for wartime production) in 1942.<ref>§ B6712, LoC</ref>
[[File:Enfield No. 2 Mk 1 1938.jpg|left|thumb|Enfield No. 2 Mk I]]
Webley & Scott sued the British Government over the incident, claiming £2250 as "costs involved in the research and design" of the revolver.

This was contested by RSAF Enfield, which quite firmly stated that the Enfield No. 2 Mk I was designed by Captain Boys (the Assistant Superintendent of Design, later of [[Rifle, Anti-Tank, .55 in, Boys|Boys Anti-Tank Rifle]] fame) with assistance from Webley & Scott, and not the other way around. Accordingly, their claim was denied.{{Citation needed|date=October 2020}}

By way of compensation, the Royal Commission on Awards to Inventors eventually awarded Webley & Scott £1250 for their work.<ref>{{harvnb|Stamps|Skennerton|1993|p=12}}</ref>

RSAF Enfield proved unable to manufacture enough No. 2 revolvers to meet the military's wartime demands, and as a result Webley's Mk IV was also widely used within the [[British Army]] in World War Two.

{{Clear}}

==Other Webley revolvers==
Whilst the top-break, self-extracting revolvers used by the British and other Commonwealth militaries are the best-known examples of Webley revolvers, the company produced a number of other highly popular revolvers largely intended for the police and civilian markets.

===Webley RIC===
{{Main article|Webley RIC}}
[[File:George Armstrong Custer and wife Fort Lincoln Dakota Territory.jpg|thumb|left|Custer and his wife at [[Fort Abraham Lincoln]], [[Dakota Territory]], 1874. Reportedly at right in gunrack is a Webley Revolver used by Custer<ref>{{cite web|date=31 August 2015|first1=Garry|last1=James|url=https://www.gunsandammo.com/editorial/custers-last-gun-webley-ric-revolver/248900|title=Custer's Last Gun: Webley RIC Revolver|website=Guns & Ammo}}</ref>]]

[[File:Webley 1868 RIC.JPG|thumb|Webley Royal Irish Constabulary Revolver]]
The Webley RIC ([[Royal Irish Constabulary]]) model was Webley's first double-action revolver, and adopted by the RIC in 1868,<ref>{{harvnb|Maze|2002|p=30}}</ref> hence the name. It was a solid frame, gate-loaded revolver, chambered in .442 Webley. General [[George Armstrong Custer]] was known to have owned a pair, which he is believed to have used at the [[Battle of the Little Bighorn]] in 1876.<ref>{{cite book |first=Robert |last=Elman |title=Fired In Anger |publisher=Doubleday |date=1968 |oclc=436122 }}{{page needed|date=February 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.geocities.com/burntumber60/MPdoerner.html |title=Lt. Col. George Armstrong Custer at the Battle of the Little Bighorn |last=Doerner |first=John A |publisher=Martin Pate |access-date =2006-08-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030924041023/http://www.geocities.com/burntumber60/MPdoerner.html |archive-date=2003-09-24}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.westernerspublications.ltd.uk/CAGB%20Guns%20at%20the%20LBH.htm |title=Guns at the Little Bighorn |last=Gallear |first=Mark |access-date=2006-08-03 |year=2001 |publisher=Custer Association of Great Britain |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060908225428/http://www.westernerspublications.ltd.uk/CAGB%20Guns%20at%20the%20LBH.htm |archive-date=2006-09-08 }}</ref>

A small number of early examples were produced in the huge .500 [[Tranter (revolver)|Tranter]] calibre, and later models were available chambered for the .450 Adams and other cartridges.  They were also widely copied in Belgium.{{citation needed|date=October 2020}}

===British Bull Dog===
{{Main article|British Bull Dog revolver}}
[[Image:GarfieldBD.jpg|thumb|right|Smithsonian file photograph of the British Bulldog revolver used by [[Charles Guiteau]] to assassinate President [[James Garfield]] in 1881]]
The British Bull Dog model was an enormously successful solid-frame design introduced by Webley in 1872. It featured a {{convert|2.5|in|mm|adj=on}} barrel and was chambered for five .44 Short Rimfire, .442 Webley, or .450 Adams cartridges. (Webley later added smaller scaled five chambered versions in .320 and .380 calibres, but did not mark them British Bull Dog.) A .44 calibre Belgian-made British Bulldog revolver was used to assassinate US President [[James Garfield]] on 2 July 1881 by [[Charles Guiteau]].

It was designed to be carried in a coat pocket or kept on a bedside table, and many have survived to the present day in good condition, having seen little actual use.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.phelbs.com/HRFTX/tbbd.htm |access-date=2011-04-02 |last=Ficken |first=Homer R. |title=Webley's The British Bull Dog Revolver, Serial Numbering and Variations |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120223210553/http://www.phelbs.com/HRFTX/tbbd.htm |archive-date=2012-02-23}}</ref> Numerous copies of this design were made during the late 19th century in Belgium, with smaller numbers also produced in Spain, France and the US.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://guns.connect.fi/gow/QA14.html |access-date=2006-08-03 |publisher= Gunwriters | last=Kekkonen |first=P.T. |title=British Bulldog revolver}}</ref> They remained reasonably popular until the Second World War, but are now generally sought after only as collectors' pieces, since ammunition for them is for the most part no longer commercially manufactured.

===Webley-Fosbery Automatic Revolver===
{{Main article|Webley–Fosbery Automatic Revolver}}
[[File:Webley-Fosbery Handgun.jpg|thumb|right|Webley-Fosbery Automatic Revolver]]
A highly unusual example of an "automatic revolver", the Webley-Fosbery Automatic Revolver was produced between 1900 and 1915, and available in both a six-shot .455 Webley version, and an eight-shot [[.38 ACP]] (not to be confused with [[.380 ACP]]) version.<ref>{{harvnb|Dowell|1987|p=128}}</ref>
Unusually for a revolver, the Webley-Fosbery had a safety catch, and the light trigger pull and reputation for accuracy ensured that the Webley-Fosbery remained popular with target shooters long after production had finished.<ref>{{harvnb|Maze|2002|p=78}}</ref>

==Users==
<!--READ FIRST: This section is for cited entries only. Please do not add entries into this list without a citation from a reliable source. All entries without a citation will be removed. Thank you.-->
<!-- removed Canada (per section warning & attached cite): http://www.canadiansoldiers.com/weapons/pistols.htm. "Webley revolvers have never been primary issue Canadian sidearms." Commonwealth soldiers acquired Webleys as mentioned in cite. -->
{{div col|colwidth=20em}} 
* {{flag|Australia}}{{sfn|Maze|2012|page=59}}
* {{flag|Bangladesh}}{{sfn|Hogg|1987|page=976}}
* {{BAR}}{{sfn|Hogg|1987|page=976}}
* {{flag|British Empire}}<ref name="bishop1998">{{cite book |last=Bishop |first=Chris |year=1998 |title=Guns in Combat |publisher=Chartwell Books |isbn=0-7858-0844-2}}</ref>
* {{flag|Canada|1921}} − Used by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police{{sfn|Maze|2012|page=57}} 
* {{flag|British Hong Kong}}{{sfn|Maze|2012|pages=63−70}} 
* {{flag|British Raj}}{{sfn|Maze|2012|page=58}}
* {{flag|Gambia}}{{sfn|Hogg|1987|page=978}}
* {{flag|India}} − .455 Webleys were used by police forces as late as 1988{{sfn|Ezell|1988|page=202}}
* {{flag|Imperial State of Iran}}{{sfn|Maze|2012|page=57}}
* {{flag|Ireland}}{{sfn|Maze|2012|pages=63−70}} 
* {{flag|Jordan}}{{sfn|Ezell|1988|page=225}}
* {{flag|Kenya}}{{sfn|Ezell|1988|page=229}}
* {{flag|Malaysia}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://17thdivision.tripod.com/thepeacethatwasnt/id17.html|title=Weapons of the Police and Auxiliary Forces in Malaya}}</ref>
* {{flag|Myanmar}} − Retired<ref>{{cite book|isbn=978-981-230-848-1 |title=Building the Tatmadaw: Myanmar Armed Forces Since 1948|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/272092747|last=Maung|first= Aung Myoe|year=2009|publisher=Institute of Southeast Asian Studies }}</ref>
* {{flag|New Zealand}}{{sfn|Maze|2012|page=59}}
* {{flag|Nigeria}}{{sfn|Ezell|1988|page=288}}
* {{flag|Pakistan}} − Some .455 Webleys were built locally{{sfn|Ezell|1988|page=297}}
* {{flag|Rhodesia}}<ref>{{cite book|page=49|title=Rhodesia's Hangover: An African Dilemma|first=P.P.K. |last=Walther |date=2011 |publisher=AuthorHouse |isbn=978-1-4567-8485-0}}</ref>
*{{SEY}}{{sfn|Hogg|1987|page=982}}
*{{flagicon image|Flag_of_the_Shanghai_International_Settlement_pre-WWI.svg}} [[Shanghai Municipal Police]]{{sfn|Maze|2012|page=57}} 
* {{flag|Siam}}{{sfn|Maze|2012|page=57}} 
* {{flag|Sierra Leone}}{{sfn|Hogg|1987|page=982}}{{sfn|Ezell|1988|page=322}}
* {{flag|Singapore}}<ref>{{cite web |title=Singapore Police Force Marked Webley & Scott Mark IV Revolver |url=https://www.rockislandauction.com/detail/2078/279/singapore-police-force-marked-webley-scott-mark-iv-revolver |website=Rock Island Auction Company |access-date=11 April 2025 |language=en}}</ref>
* {{flag|Tanzania}}{{sfn|Ezell|1988|page=354}}
* {{flag|Uganda}}{{sfn|Ezell|1988|page=366}}
* {{flag|Union of South Africa}}{{sfn|Maze|2012|pages=58−59}}
* {{flag|United Arab Emirates}} − Used only in [[Abu Dhabi]]{{sfn|Ezell|1988|page=377}}
* {{ZIM}}{{sfn|Hogg|1987|page=985}}
{{div col end}}

==Notes==
{{reflist}}

==References==
{{refbegin}}
*{{cite book |first=William Chipchase |last=Dowell |title=The Webley Story |publisher=Commonwealth Heritage Foundation |location=Kirkland, WA |date=1987 |isbn=0-939683-04-0 }}
*{{cite book |last1=Ezell |first1=Edward Clinton |title=Small Arms Today: Latest Reports on the World's Weapons and Ammunition |date=1988 |publisher=Stackpole Books |location=Harrisburg, PA |isbn=978-0-8117-2280-3 |edition=2nd |url=https://archive.org/details/smallarmstodayla0000ezel/}}
*H.M. Stationer's Office, ''[[List of Changes]] in British War Material'', H.M.S.O, London, Periodical.
*{{cite book |first=Gerard |last=Henrotin |title=The Webley service revolvers |publisher=H&L Publishing |location=Belgium |date=2007 |isbn= |pages= |url=https://www.scribd.com/document/498171841/The-Webley-Service-Revolvers}}
*{{cite book |editor1-last=Hogg |editor1-first=Ian V |editor1-link=Ian V. Hogg |title=Jane's Infantry Weapons, 1987-88 |date=1987 |publisher=Jane's Information Group, Incorporated |location=London |isbn=978-0-7106-0843-7 |edition=13th |language=en}}
*{{cite book |first=Robert J. |last=Maze |title=Howdah to High Power: A Century of Breechloading Service Pistols (1867–1967) |publisher=Excalibur |location=Tucson, AZ |date=2002 |isbn=1-880677-17-2 |pages= |url=}}
*{{cite book |last1=Maze |first1=Robert |title=The Webley Service Revolver |date=2012 |publisher=Bloomsbury |isbn=978-1-84908-804-6 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gOa6CwAAQBAJ |access-date=19 August 2023 }}
*{{cite book |first=Ian D. |last=Skennerton |title=.455 Pistol, Revolver No. 1 Mk VI |series=Small Arms Identification Series |volume=9 |publisher=Arms & Militaria Press |location=Gold Coast, QLD (Australia) |date=1997 |isbn=0-949749-30-3 |pages= |url=}}
*{{cite book |first=W.H.B. |last=Smith |title=1943 Basic Manual of Military Small Arms |publisher=Stackpole Books |location=Harrisburg, PA |date=1979 |isbn=0-8117-1699-6 |pages= |url=}}
*{{cite book |last1=Stamps |first1=Mark |last2=Skennerton |first2=Ian D. |title=.380 Enfield Revolver No. 2 |publisher=Greenhill Books |location=London |date=1993 |isbn=1-85367-139-8 |pages= |url=}}
*{{cite journal |last=Wilson |first=Royce |title=A Tale of Two Collectables |journal=Australian Shooter |date=March 2006 |issn=1442-7354}}
{{refend}}

==External links==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090227055330/http://www.rememuseum.org.uk/arms/pistols/armpr.htm#268 The Weapons Collection: Pistols Revolver], [[REME Museum of Technology]].
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110911131736/http://www.americanrifleman.org/ArticlePage.aspx?id=1359&cid=28 Historical Overview of the Webley Mk 4 Revolver from ''American Rifleman'']
* [https://www.scribd.com/doc/73267250 (1947) E.B. 962 – Identification List for Pistol, Revolver, Webley, .38-inch, Mark 4]{{dead link|date=October 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
* [http://hlebooks.com/pinterest/webley2.htm Webley revolver Model VI internal mechanism (technical drawing)]
{{VictorianEraBritishWeapons}}
{{WWI British Empire small arms}}
{{WW2_Brit_Comm_Infantry_Guns}}
{{.38 Calibre}}

[[Category:Revolvers of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Early revolvers]]
[[Category:Military revolvers]]
[[Category:Double-action revolvers]]
[[Category:.45 ACP revolvers]]
[[Category:Victorian-era weapons of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:World War I British infantry weapons]]
[[Category:World War II infantry weapons of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Weapons of the Philippine Army]]