Webley Auto self-loading pistol .455″
posted 09 November 2021, 1:16 am
01. Original name | Webley & Scott Mark 1 Self-Loading Pistol | |
02. Other official names | Pistol Self-loading, Webley & Scott .455-inch, Mark 1 | |
03. Popular names | ||
04. Chamberings | .455 Self Loading | |
05. Designed by | Webley & Scott Limited | |
06. Design date | LoC 19 May 1913 | |
07. In service date(s) | 1913 – 1919 until 1945 | |
08. Adopted by | Naval and air services | |
09. Production quantities | Production for the war effort was approximately 8,050, but this included a small quantity for the Australian Navy and a trial production run for the RHA. They were also used by the RFC. It was also manufactured to commercial sale to officers of the commonwealth forces, but these were numbered in the commercial pistol production | |
10. Mechanism | 8 shot recoil operated self-loading operation with locked breech | |
11. Weight | 2 lbs 8 oz (with magazine empty) | |
12. Mountings | Usually, leather holster | |
13. Practicality in action | Sturdy dependable short range weapon for defensive or offensive action. The close-fitting breech locking was unsuited to muddy trenches, hence adoption by Royal Navy and Flying Corps. | |
14. Comments / Other information | 0.455” dedicated semi-rimless ammunition muzzle velocity 710 f.p.s. Overall length 8.5”, barrel length 5”. Magazines had two catch notches to allow selection of single shot use loaded through open breech. Insertion of the magazine to second notch re-engages the automatic loading function.The RHA trials pistols were fitted with a manual side safe on the hammer and a rear-sight with adjustment out to 200 yards, some were also adapted to allow the attachment of a shoulder piece |