Webley MkVI
When the supply of Mark V Revolvers needed to be bolstered for the Great War, a new model with a variety of civilian premium features was adopted.
The Webley MkVI, shown with a P14 Enfield rifle and .455 Webley cartridges
When the Great War began in 1914 the standard sidearm for King George V’s armed forces was the .455 Webley MkV, a single/double action top break revolver. As the attrition of the war, as well as the close quarters co bat that often occurred in trenches, led to an increased demand for pistols, the need for more revolvers was apparent, leading to the War Department to seek an order from Webley and Scott.
A .455 Webley cartridge - Commander Zulu on Wikimedia, cropped and rotated
The MkVI, like its predecessors, chambered the .455 Webley cartridge, which, although now using a smokeless propellant, had originally been a black powder design when the MkI was adopted in 1887. The .455 had seen a number of changes over the years, including a controversial hollow point wadcutter bullet in the MKIII that was withdrawn due to violating the Hague Conventions. The standard service cartridge when the great war broke out was the older roundnose lead MKII, the wadcutter experiment having been abandoned after the MKV in 1914. The MKII would serve throughout the First World War and beyond, replaced on the eve of the Second World War with the full metal jacket MKVI cartridge even as the .455 was being phased out in favor of the .38/200 in British service.
The model designation on the top strap, along with the British War Department Broad Arrow stamp, proof marks and cipher of George V.
When the First World War began the standard MkV that equipped the British Army in 1914 was not available in sufficient numbers, and when the government looked to Webley and Scott for a new order, they took into account a number of features that were available as premium options on private purchase versions, most notably the square butt target grip, longer barrel and replacable front sight. These options were integrated into future service revolvers, now designated as the MkVI. The new grip pattern provided a superior angle and ability to control the weapon, and the longer barrel provided improved balance and an improved sight radius.
With the action partly open the automatic ejector is seen in operation
The MkIV proved popular in the serving in the trenches of the First World War after its adoption in late 1914. The powerful .455 made the revolver popular in the close quarters of the trenches, and the significant size and weight made the MkVI a formidalbe club when the situation called for it. Additionally, the revolver could be fitted with a shoulder stock to be used as a carbine, and a spike bayonet was also available, although both of these saw little if any actual service use.
The hinge of the MkVI showing the tab used to actuate the automatic ejector
The MkVI remained in service through the Second World War, although it was supplanted in that conflict by the .38/200 Enfield No2 Mk1 and Webley MkIV revolvers as standard issue. The .455 remained popular for its superior power, however, and the MkVI remained in service throughout the conflict alongside its smaller cousins. It was finally withdrawn from service after the war, although a few stragglers remained in use through the 1950s.
The release latch on the left side of the upper fram
The Webley MkVI is a standard six chamber revolver firing the .455 Webley cartridge. It is generally loaded with single rounds, although speedloaders existed (albeit quite rarely seen), and like all of the Webley top-break revolvers it also features automatic simultaneous ejection, facilitated via a simple tab on the main hinge. The revolver features a spurred hammer and is capable of both single and double action fire. Its sights consist of a front blade retained by a screw, which can be swapped by an armorer to adjust elevation, and a v-notch rear sight that is integral to the top strap. The somewhat hexagonal shaped barrel measures six inches, and with an overall length of almost 12 inches, this was a fairly long service pistol with a generous weight to match.
The but of the pistol with the left grip removed, showing the lanyard ring and what the author believes is a 1940 Webley factory refurbishment mark
I have always been a fan of the Webley revolver. A simple but effective method to allow for a more efficient opening of the action than the contemporary designs coming from the United States. The MkVI is, in terms of overall dimensions, the largest handgun I have ever owned, but despite that is actually quite comfortable in the hand. The generous grip offers large amount of bearing surface, and is generally well proportioned for operator comfort. The trigger pull on my example is actually rather pleasant as well, notably seeming lighter than the Enfield No2 that replaced it, and actually slightly better than the M1917 Smith and Wesson in the collection. Even the double action pull is actually fairly smooth and light for a military handgun. I also find the recoil with the handloads I use in it to be very light, although the pistol remains quite accurate at the close ranges that I have used it.
This is a good point for a final note on the example in my collection, as well as many of the .455 Webleys in the United States. After being imported into the USA many of these had the back of the cylinder shaved down to allow the use of .45 ACP in moon clips, this being a far more available ammunition type in the United States and thus thought to be more marketable. This conversion can be quite dangerous, however, as the American cartridge has a significantly higher pressure than the British revolvers were constructed for, and it is thus not recommended to fire .45ACP in a Webley. The alternative, however, is that handloading can be accomplished more easily and cheaply, as both standard .45 ACP and .45 Auto Rimmed components are readily available (the current general shortage not withstanding) in this country. I generally load with .45 Auto Rimmed to .455 specifications to be as close as possible to the original.
Trench Raiders of the Liverpool Regiment in 1918. The man in the center holds a MkVI Webley Revolver
Observed Values and Frequency
Updated: February, 2024
AVERAGE VALUE (USD): $500 - $700
FREQUENCY: Uncommon
COLLECTOR’S NOTES: Revolvers in the original .455 chambering command a large premium, price reflects the .45ACP conversions