The Webley Revolver: Britain’s Service Sidearm from 1887 to 1963

Introduction

The Webley revolver is the quintessential British military sidearm. For over six decades — from the adoption of the Webley Mk I in 1887 to the last official issues in the early 1960s — Webleys served the British Empire in every major conflict and almost every corner of the globe. Robust, reliable, and immensely powerful, the Webley earned a reputation as one of the finest military revolvers ever manufactured. For collectors of British militaria, the Webley is a cornerstone piece: iconic, well-documented, and available across a wide range of budgets. [1]

History of Webley & Scott

The story of the Webley revolver begins with Philip Webley, a Birmingham gunmaker who established P. Webley & Son in the 1830s. The firm became known for high-quality percussion revolvers and, from the 1860s, cartridge revolvers. In 1897, the company merged with W. & C. Scott to form Webley & Scott Revolver and Arms Company Ltd, based at the Weaman Street factory in Birmingham — a facility that would produce military firearms for over 70 years. [2]

Webley had been supplying revolvers to British officers on a private-purchase basis since the 1860s, and the company’s RIC (Royal Irish Constabulary) model of 1868 was the first modern revolver widely adopted by British police and military officers. But it was the formal adoption of the Webley Mk I as the official British service revolver in 1887 that cemented the company’s legacy.

Service Marks: A Complete Guide

The Top-Break Action

All service Webleys share a top-break, self-extracting action. When the barrel catch is released on top of the frame, the barrel and cylinder hinge downward on a pivot at the base of the frame. As the action opens, a star-shaped extractor plate rises, pulling all six spent cartridge cases simultaneously from the cylinder. This allows extremely fast reloading — an experienced shooter can break, extract, reload, and close the action in under five seconds. [1]

The top-break design is often contrasted unfavourably with the side-opening, swing-out cylinder used by Colt and Smith & Wesson revolvers. Critics argue that the hinge point is a structural weakness that limits the power of cartridges that can safely be used. In practice, the Webley action proved robust enough for decades of hard service — the .455 Webley cartridge was one of the most powerful military handgun rounds of its era.

Service Marks Overview

Mk I (1887)

The first official British service revolver. The Mk I featured the characteristic “birds beak” grip shape and a 4-inch barrel. It was chambered in .455 Webley Mk I — a heavy, slow-moving lead bullet that delivered devastating stopping power. Approximately 10,500 Mk I revolvers were produced for military service. Surviving genuine Mk I service revolvers are scarce and command premium prices. [2]

Mk IV (1899) — “The Boer War Webley”

The Mk IV was the most widely-issued Webley of the Second Boer War (1899–1902) and is the first pattern commonly encountered by collectors. It featured a strengthened frame, a more angular grip, and was produced in much larger numbers than earlier marks. The Mk IV also saw service in the Boxer Rebellion (1900), various colonial campaigns, and the early months of World War I. [1]

Mk IVs are often found with South African campaign marks and unit stamps. A Boer War-associated Mk IV with provenance (e.g., named to an officer through the Army List) is a highly desirable piece.

Mk VI (1915) — The Definitive Webley

The Mk VI is the most famous and most commonly collected Webley service revolver. Introduced in May 1915 to meet the enormous demand of the Western Front, it was the first variant with a 6-inch barrel (previous marks had 4-inch barrels). The longer barrel improved accuracy and gave the weapon a more balanced feel. Over 300,000 Mk VI revolvers were produced during the war, making it by far the most common service mark. [2]

Key features of the Mk VI:

• 6-inch barrel with removable blade foresight
• Square grip with vulcanite or wooden grip plates stamped with the Webley winged bullet logo
• Stirrup-type barrel latch
• Lanyard ring
• War Department broad arrow acceptance marks and date stamps

The Mk VI served throughout both World Wars. Although officially replaced by the Enfield No.2 Mk I in 1932, large numbers of Mk VIs remained in service through WWII — particularly with the Royal Navy, the RAF, and colonial forces. Commonwealth forces (Australia, Canada, South Africa, India) used the Mk VI extensively throughout the war.

The Enfield No.2 Mk I: The Official Successor

In 1932, the British Army adopted the Enfield No.2 Mk I as the official replacement for the Webley Mk VI. The Enfield was a .38-calibre revolver — smaller, lighter, and easier to train with than the massive .455 Webley. It was manufactured at the Royal Small Arms Factory at Enfield Lock (hence the name), though the design was heavily based on a Webley & Scott submission that the government modified without paying full royalties — a dispute that embittered the Webley company for decades. [1]

A variant, the No.2 Mk I*, was produced with double-action-only (DAO) mechanism — the hammer spur was removed to prevent snagging in tank turrets and armoured vehicles. This variant was issued to tank crews and vehicle crews.

Meanwhile, Webley responded by producing the Webley Mk IV .38 (not to be confused with the earlier .455 Mk IV) — a commercial revolver chambered in .38/200 that was widely purchased by officers and issued to police and auxiliary forces throughout the Empire.

Wartime Service

World War I

The Mk VI Webley was the standard officer’s and NCO’s sidearm on the Western Front. In the close-quarter fighting of the trenches, the revolver was a vital weapon — more practical than a rifle in the confined spaces of trenches, dugouts, and communication trenches. Officers carried their Webleys in leather holsters (the Sam Browne belt holster being standard), and the revolver was often the primary weapon during trench raids, night patrols, and hand-to-hand fighting. [2]

Two unusual WWI accessories are highly sought by collectors:

• Pritchard-Greener bayonet: A short blade that attached to the Mk VI’s barrel, turning the revolver into a combination firearm and stabbing weapon. Fewer than 8,000 were produced, making them extremely rare and valuable (£2,000–£5,000+).
• Shoulder stock: A detachable wooden stock that converted the Mk VI into a short carbine. Intended for use in trench warfare, it was issued in small numbers and is scarce today.

World War II

Both the Enfield No.2 and the Webley Mk VI (and .38 Mk IV) served throughout WWII. The revolvers were carried by officers, NCOs, vehicle crews, signallers, dispatch riders, and many specialist roles. In the Far East, where conditions were harsh, the revolvers’ resistance to mud, dust, and moisture was particularly valued compared to semi-automatic pistols. [1]

Identifying and Authenticating Webleys

Markings

Genuine service Webleys carry a wealth of markings:

• Manufacturer’s mark: “WEBLEY & SCOTT LTD” or “WEBLEY PATENTS” on the top strap, with the Birmingham address. Early marks show “P. WEBLEY & SON.”
• War Department marks: Broad arrow (↑), inspector’s marks, and date stamps (year of acceptance) on the frame. WW1-era Mk VIs typically show dates between 1915 and 1918.
• Proof marks: Birmingham Proof House marks on the cylinder and barrel — crossed sceptres (view mark) and crown over “BV” or “BP” (nitro proof).
• Serial numbers: Stamped on the frame, barrel, and cylinder. All numbers should match; mismatched numbers significantly reduce value.
• Unit marks: Some revolvers carry unit stamps (regiment, ship, or station) that can be researched to add provenance. [2]

Common Fakes and Pitfalls

• Commercial revolvers sold as military: Webley produced many commercial and police variants alongside military contracts. Commercial revolvers lack WD acceptance marks. They are legitimate pieces in their own right but should not be sold at military prices.
• Re-numbered revolvers: Revolvers with mismatched serial numbers may have been re-numbered (stamping new numbers over old). Examine under magnification for evidence of over-stamping.
• Deactivated revolvers: In the UK, most Webleys available for sale are deactivated (rendered permanently incapable of firing). The deactivation standard (current EU/UK Spec or older “old spec”) significantly affects value: old-spec deactivated Webleys (which look more original and retain moving parts) command a premium over current-spec examples.
• Rechambered revolvers: Some .455 Webleys have been rechambered to .45 ACP or .45 Auto Rim. This is considered a detrimental modification for collectors and may compromise safety. [1]

Collecting Webleys

Price Guide

UK Legal Position

In the UK, antique firearms (those manufactured before 1939 and chambered in obsolete calibres) may be held without a Firearms Certificate as “curiosities or ornaments.” The .455 Webley cartridge is generally accepted as obsolete, meaning pre-1939 .455 revolvers (Mk I through Mk VI) can usually be held as antiques. However, the law is complex and the interpretation varies by police force — always seek legal advice before acquiring any firearm, and be aware that possession of live ammunition for any calibre requires a Firearms Certificate. [2]

Deactivated revolvers (rendered permanently incapable of firing under Home Office specifications) may be held by anyone without a licence. Most Webleys in the collectors’ market are deactivated.

The Webley Legacy

The Webley revolver served the British Empire from the Khyber Pass to the Rhine, from the Boer veldt to the Burmese jungle. It was carried by officers, NCOs, pilots, tank crews, commandos, and secret agents. More than any other weapon, it represents the British military sidearm — and it remains one of the most recognisable and desirable pieces of British militaria. [1]

The Webley in Combat: Personal Accounts

The Webley’s combat record is richly documented in personal accounts, official reports, and regimental histories. These accounts bring the revolver to life as a weapon rather than merely a collector’s item — and understanding its battlefield role enhances the appreciation of any Webley in a collection. [2]

The Western Front: Officers and the Webley

In the trenches of the First World War, the Webley Mk VI was the constant companion of every British and Commonwealth officer. Junior officers — subalterns and lieutenants commanding platoons — carried the Webley as their primary weapon during trench raids, patrols, and over-the-top attacks. The revolver was supplemented by whatever additional weapons the officer chose to carry — many adopted rifles, shotguns, or improvised clubs for trench warfare — but the Webley remained the official sidearm. [2]

Captain Noel Chavasse VC and Bar, the most decorated British officer in the First World War (other than the unknown warrior), carried a Webley during his heroic rescue of wounded men at Guillemont in August 1916 and at Wieltje in August 1917. Chavasse’s example illustrates a broader truth: for officers, the Webley was less a fighting weapon than a badge of rank and a means of personal defence in emergencies. Officers were expected to lead, direct, and encourage their men, not to engage the enemy with their revolvers. [2]

However, there were circumstances in which the Webley was used offensively and with devastating effect. Trench raiding — in which small parties entered enemy trenches at night to capture prisoners, gather intelligence, or destroy positions — was one such context. In the confined space of a trench, the Webley’s stopping power was lethal at point-blank range. The standard .455 cartridge fired a 265-grain lead bullet at approximately 620 feet per second — a heavy, slow round that delivered enormous energy transfer on impact. [2]

Lawrence of Arabia and the Webley

T.E. Lawrence — “Lawrence of Arabia” — famously carried a Webley during the Arab Revolt of 1916–1918. In his account Seven Pillars of Wisdom, Lawrence describes several incidents involving his revolver, including the accidental shooting of his own camel during the charge at Aba el Lissan. Lawrence’s preference for the Webley over the various captured Turkish and German weapons available to him speaks to the revolver’s reliability in the extreme conditions of desert warfare — sand, heat, and the complete absence of armourer support. [2]

The Second World War: Webley’s Last Major Conflict

By 1939, the Webley Mk IV .38 and the Enfield No. 2 Mk I shared the sidearm role. The lighter .38 calibre revolvers were issued to officers, NCOs, tank crews, signallers, military police, and all personnel whose primary duties precluded carrying a rifle. The revolver was not primarily a fighting weapon for these soldiers — it was a defensive weapon of last resort. [3]

One notable exception was the use of revolvers by Commando and Special Operations Executive (SOE) agents, who operated behind enemy lines and needed compact, reliable, silent-capable weapons. The Webley .38 could be fitted with a Maxim silencer for covert operations, though this was rare. More commonly, SOE agents were issued the Hi-Standard .22 pistol for silent work and the Webley .38 for more robust personal defence. [3]

Technical Analysis: Comparing the Webleys

A detailed technical comparison of the principal service models helps collectors distinguish between them and understand the design evolution:

Ammunition and Ballistics

Understanding the ammunition used in Webley revolvers is important for both collectors and those who shoot original or reproduction examples under licence. The two principal calibres are:

• .455 Webley (also known as .455 Mk II): A large, rimmed, straight-walled cartridge firing a 265-grain lead bullet. The original Mk II loading used a hollow-base bullet with a rounded nose profile. This round was notorious for its stopping power — at close range it could knock a man down with a single hit. The .455 cartridge was produced in several marks with different bullet profiles, and collectors differentiate between Mk II (round nose), Mk III (manstopper, hollow point), Mk IV (wadcutter), Mk V (commercial expanding), and Mk VI (flat nose, the most common wartime loading).
• .38 S&W 200 (also known as .38/200): Adopted in 1932, this is a standard .38 Smith & Wesson cartridge loaded with a heavy 200-grain lead bullet. The original loading used a flat-nosed or hollow-point bullet with outstanding stopping power for its calibre. In 1940, this was replaced with a 178-grain full-metal-jacket loading to comply with the Hague Convention’s prohibition of expanding bullets — a change that significantly reduced the cartridge’s effectiveness and was deeply unpopular with front-line troops.

Holsters and Accessories

A Webley revolver is ideally collected as part of a complete outfit — revolver, holster, lanyard, cleaning kit, and accessories. The standard British military holster evolved significantly through the Webley’s service life:

• Victorian–Edwardian: Brown leather closed-top holster, worn on the Sam Browne belt on the left hip (for cross-draw) or the right hip. These holsters are often found with the 1903 pattern Sam Browne belt.
• WWI: The 1908 pattern holster in brown leather, worn on the Sam Browne belt. A holster for the Mk VI with a detachable stock was also produced — the stock converting the revolver into a short carbine for use by cavalry and mounted troops.
• WWII: The 1937 pattern webbing holster in khaki canvas, part of the 1937 pattern web equipment set. This enclosed holster with a press-stud flap is the most commonly encountered and least expensive type for collectors.

A complete outfit — matching revolver and holster with a lanyard and cleaning kit — is significantly more valuable than the revolver alone. Originality is key: ensure the holster is the correct pattern for the revolver model and that any ancillary items are period-appropriate. [3]