History of WWI Primer 059: British Webley Revolvers Documentary 

I purchased a Webley Mk IV in a pawn shop a while back, and the lady could tell I was pleased to have it, going so far as to say, "I'm glad its going to a good home." She then said she wanted to show me something, and went into a side room; she came back holding a battered old Beaumont-Adams conversion. "I knew you'd appreciate that," she said with a smile. The cherry on top, there was a Webley Mk IV 38 next to the bigger one. That was one fun pawn shop excursion.

I never get tired of Mae's patented smile after she shoots one of the classic guns.

Awesome video. Love the history behind the people in addition to that of the firearms. Very relevant and all too often lost to history.

"Served in the battle of Waterloo" unless I'm missing something, it feels absolutely crazy to me that a guy fighting in the age of muskets contributed to a gun that saw use in WWI

.455. For when you want your target's grandchildren to feel the stopping power.

Just an observation for those who were not combat trained on a revolver as I was in the 70s. When loading a swing-out or break-top revolver from a loop ammo belt, medium to small handed shooters should pull two rounds at a time and load them. It halves the reload time. Large handed people can learn to load three at a time which is even faster. For a long time speed loaders for revolvers were discouraged as they frequently failed to work properly dumping shells on the ground instead of in the cylinders or failed to release the shells. As for moon clips , the quality of the clips available was a problem, some full moon clips had similar problems as speed loaders. Partial moon clips had little to no real advantage over combat loading from loops. New moon clips of today are generally of better quality.

Me: this morning I am gonna study and be productive! C&R: not so fast boi!

I've been waiting for this episode for a long time, I knew the Webley would have its day eventually.

Mae and her food analogies.... Too adorable.

Glad you guys weathered the storm, got my shirt in the mail yesterday, looks and feels awesome... Now for some late night infotainment

I've always had an affection for Webley revolvers and this video was just so excellent in so many ways. Great combination of history, lineage, and shooting footage.

So let me get this straight. You could get a .455 caliber top break double action revolver with a shoulder stock, loaded with a speed loader, and fitted with a bayonet. We have discovered the gun cowboys dream of. I'd go through the NFA for that.

Have to fault May for loading the Webley clockwise. Army regulations state Anti-Clockwise incase a colonial native jumps out at you mid reload.

Another wonderful film! I love it when these films drop! Please keep the same format, I love the history behind these brilliant militarily historical firearms and learning about the design process is half the fun. I also thoroughly enjoy your humor. Best regards!

Absolutley love this channel! Firearms, history and Mae. What more can a man ask for on a thursday night after work. Thanks so much from the UK, cant wait to watch more of your videos!!

I've been waiting for this one since the beginning of this series, the Webley may be one of the coolest revolvers ever made (especially the Mark I-V versions with birdhead grips) Thank you so much for your amazing work!

I love my MKVI. its beautiful. 1917 stamped and an absolute beast. Makes me proud to be british

"Third son of a button turner" what a perfect title to tell you how long ago a man lived lmao

Outstanding video! I've been eagerly awaiting an episode featuring the Webley, and your treatment of this iconic revolver was informative and fair.

Thanks for the video! The amount of time and research you guys do is incredible!

I imagine any horse mounted Cavalryman loved his Webley revolver. You could fire it without pulling back the hammer and you could eject the spent cases with one hand.

My grandfather served in the Canadian Army in WW-1 as a Lewis gunner. They issued him a Webley Mk. VI to defend himself if the LG went down. He said that marksmanship training was very basic. Grip the gun with your bird, ring and little fingers, and your index finger ends up above the trigger guard parallel with the barrel. You've been pointing with your finger all your life - that's your means of aiming. Pull the trigger with your bird finger. He said that it worked surprisingly well at close range, which was all he was concerned with.

Patiently waiting for my webley mark 4 in 38 short and weak. Love this show!

I really enjoy this historical look at firearms development!

The soothing tones of Othais and the stunning Miss Mae. Good morning World!

You guys always do the coolest old gun stories and reviews. I love the history, and the parts where she fires the gun and then gives her opinions in review are just plain awesome. The visual examples and the CGI bits are a very nice touch. Not to mention the old period music playing in background, really helps with the feel of the old days you're talking about. I don't know if you're actually getting paid to do these episodes or not. But if you're not, I think you should be. These episodes rank up there with those of "Tales of the Gun" or that one of the "Top Ten Combat Rifles" I either own or have owned many of the weapons you guys have had episodes on, and I think that's pretty cool. I love the MkVI Webley revolver, I have one in the original (has not been shaved down) .455 Webley caliber. I've hit targets as far as 50 yards with it. It is without doubt my personal favorite revolver of all time. That's saying something when you think a what all is out there. I wish they were still making them today, with new metallurgy I think they could make a really cool new updated version & even one that still fired those good old man stopper .455 Webley MkII rounds. A real man stopper of a round, and the Webley MkVI just has such a uniquely old school British revolver look to it. I mean nothing else out there looks like it. When you see someone holding one, you know it's a Webley, with that mean old .455 caliber round that will put you on your butt if you're hit with it. Now I've served in Law Enforcement and I can say that when a .45 ACP flies past you it sounds like someone just threw a large heavy metal ash trey past your head at high speed. This thing fires a slightly heavier bullet moving a noticeable bit slower. I can only assume it would sound more like a loaded mini-fridge going by you instead of that heavy metal ash trey. For WWI I'd want the Webley MkVI no doubt however for WWII I'd have a hard time choosing which pistol/revolver I'd want to carry. If my choices were the Webley MkVI & the M1911A1.

Seeing old revolvers like this really make me appreciate my S&W .357

Super job as usual. I am a huge fan love collecting ww1 and ww2 rifles and pistols you guys are always awesome. Thank you :)

Gotta love the Webley Revolver.

I had an Enfield Webley Mark 6 when I was a kid, absolutely loved it. Used .45 acp with moon clips. Great pistol…

Webley Mk.1-5s are the most badass revolvers ever made. Seriously well-made and gorgeous pieces of British craftsmanship

Now if we could get Uberti to make new Mk6's in .45 ACP

Extremely awesome. This is the revolver of my childhood dreams. The MK VI. Those incredible British war movies had me dreaming of this handgun. Many years later I managed to find a MK VI. Sadly shaved but wonderful to shoot with my lite hand loads. It was also inexpensive because of the shaving. Everything else is perfect.

Yay, shirts yesterday and a webley today. You guys are the best.

Just because of the prevalence of hand-to-hand combat with trench raids, I would have figured the MK VI would have rated higher... Being a wonderful club and a nastier belly gun than a .32 Savage 😉

When I returned from Vietnam and separated from the US Army, I was hired on by my home town police department. We had a small grey file cabinet with a locking side door, and inside, I found an old Webley .38. I asked the Chief about the gun, seems it was confiscated from a fellow who used it to try and shoot his wife, and barely missing my eldest sister who was with the guys wife as she tried to get some things from their home. Another gun in storage was an old .22LR rifle cut down with a pistol grip, it was very familiar to me, as it was the first handgun I ever owned. I purchased it from a Combiner who came up from Mexico when I was 15 with money I earned driving tractor for my Uncle who hired us for 5 bucks a day, then worked our assess off, even went so far as to hire us out to his neighbors to dig toilet holes! A few weeks later, I came to work and found the two old guns cut in half and laying in the garbage, the Court had ordered them destroyed, and the cut down rifle was, of course never legal in the first place, even back in the 60's I think it was illegal, but not sure on that. It was one of those Stevens top break .22's with a small lever action, I loved that little gun, no sights but I could hit pretty well just aiming down the barrel If I recall, the barrel was about 10 inches long, and the home carved pistol grip was really very nice for what it was, reminded me of the old dueling pistols of the 18th century. I do remember that Webely though, I thought it a very nice little revolver, while not on line with the mighty .357 Mag that we were issued, in the guise of the S&W Model 19's that the City had recently purchased for us, mine was still new in the box when i received it, since I was the first 4th man on the previously 3 man police department. The only reason they hired me in the first place was because they had a grant from the Fed that paid 2/3 ds of my salary for 1 year so long as they kept me on the PD for 3 years total.

Great job on the video. Love the Webley. The marl IV in 38 is my favorite. Best looking revolver ever, in my opinion, and all that wonderful British history.

Fantastic in depth review, much appreciated. Its good to get a point of view from your gorgeous assistant who makes intelligent and calculated comments.

Out of power in Florida, still watching !

Interesting that your Mk V has a small farsi marking on the right side. These indicate sale to the Egypt Military/Police. Great video!

The Webley is one of my favorite revolvers. There's just something especially delightful about it. They handle and point very well, and the top break action is particularly fun to operate. I sometimes carry my War Finish Mk IV .38-200 as a street gun. They can even cope with black powder fouling just fine. I've fired 50 rounds of black powder loaded cartridges continuously through mine with no trouble at all. Colt cap and ball revolvers are usually too fouled to keep working without oiling after only 18 rounds. But the Webley sails right along. Once in a while I like to load some black powder cartridges just for fun.

Thank you I have been waiting for this one for a long time.

I love the looks of the Webley revolvers.

I still maintain that the MkVI Webley is one of the finest revolvers ever made; still a viable weapon today too.

really great video. I haven't had the chance to fire any Webley and only knew a little about them. That made the show doubly interesting. What a beast of a pistol. Thanks for the presentation.

Excellent smooth, informative presentation by the gentleman. Very good shooting analysis by the lady. The graphics and X-ray displays were well done. All in all, good job! I subscribe to C&Rsenal.

How did I just find this channel now? Fantastic, keep it up - loved the Ross rifle video as well, I have fired and handled several here in Canada, but don't own one.

Good show as always, love me some large frame revolvers, I use an N frame 44 for my carry gun, love them.

I enjoy watching both of you the knowledge you two offer and chemistry you two bring is unmatched

Great job guys showing the Guns the awesome commentary jam-packed full of knowledge on background of company gun firing mechanisms in attachments I myself is a big history buff it was fun see you guys with plenty of knowledge to share thank you once again and can't wait to see more upcoming videos keep up the great work 👍🗽

This is the first time I'm ever laying eyes on a Webley Pryse, I have to say that is one of the most beautiful revolvers I've ever seen.

Thomas Shelby will be pleased with this episode.

Still used the Webley for water ops till the late 70's in the unit i was in (Australian Army), more reliable than the 9mm in such evironment. I got so attached to it, that I've got one (dectivated 😞) as a wall plaque in my 'war room'.

Thank you guys - a terrific video!

Thank you Othais and Mae! Very informative AND entertaining.

Who else hits like before the video even starts?

I have a Mark VI, of 1918 manufacture in original unaltered condition and I shoot it regularly. I reload using hollow-base cast-lead bullets of the standard Mk II design. Excellent new brass is available from Starline so I'm doing great for ammo despite there being essentially none to be found anywhere on the commercial market. The pistol is a GREAT shooter, and a good fit for my large hand. I certainly understand May's viewpoint, the pistol is not good for small hands and it's heavy as a brick, a bit of a chore to lug around. Nonetheless I love this old thing and despite its value as an antique I would never quit firing it. It's just too good to leave lying in the gun safe. It goes to the range with me at regular intervals.

I couldn't look away. The Webley is my favorite. The iterative process of refinement is fascinating. The end product is perfection. I own a Mk. VI (made by Enfield), a Singapore Police Mk. IV (with safety), and a standard Mk. IV. These Mk. IVs are the WW2 vintage Mk. IVs, not the earlier iteration that led to the Mk. VI. All three are shooters--- still, I wish they would go back into production. About as likely as Player's Navy Cut Medium coming back on the market, I suppose.

Great episode guys! I've been waiting for this one. The mk.VI what a club of a gun! Imagine getting wacked across the noggin with that barrel.

.455 Webley. For when you don't want just a wounded enemy.

Yaeh! First for bedtime story night!

Got my shirt today and another video tonight. Thanks guys, great work!

Wow , very very good video ...you covered everything, even the crazy bayonet attachment....thanks for posting it

I received my shirts on Saturday... Sweet!

Good show. Love your Hair Mae!

Throughly enjoyed your presentation very informative. As being a Brit I am green with envy that you able to own and fire these national treasures that we can't.

New episodes of C&Rsenal are one of the two best things about the weeks that I get paid.

Sarah Davies might be the first woman to have hand in things even mentioned in these segments, which is still one more than I expected there to be. It's not exactly crowded with women in the 19th century arms industry so it's always interesting when one pops up!

The shirts are great!

"Shaved" - Anger inducing. . . Also in the accessories was a .22 caliber trainer that was not popular, yet very interesting. Love to read david thomas' research paper on the use of sidearms in the first world war.

I don't know if it's been mentioned before, but from viewing various patents and early military manuals, that "hump" or "knuckle" at the top if the grip came to be technically termed the "Recoil Shoulder." I believe that this what we have learned to consider normal for revolvers came about as a result of competition shooting where the birds head grip might not allow the repeatability in target shooting.

Pronunciation note (information not criticism): Berkshire is pronounced (with typical English flim-flammery) as Barkshire, where the 'shire' part is more of a 'sha' sound with a slight 'r' roll-off- Barkshar.

Mae sans cheaters!! quite a different look without them (not better or worse, of course, just different). also, i noticed no "blissfully goofy .32 grin" while detonating these micro-nukes, lol, though it did appear at string end in both clips. kinda like shooting a buick, no? ok, on to the revolvers. let's expand a bit on the grip variation between the mks V and VI, from birdshead to colt trooper-esque profiles. previously (i think even with another huge honking revolver, lol) i commented on the design difference between "ergonomics" and "dynamic kinematics", and this transition (as well as the earlier humpectomy) illustrates that fairly perfectly. the mk VI is shaped by ergonomics, shaping and profiling to fit as extension of human form in NATURAL motion and stances. practical use had found exactly what Mae did, a tad too much wanderlust in use when actually firing the mk V, so the grip was reangled to a more acute angle, and "stop surfaces" that naturally bore on hand common features were added. result, a "homebody grip", lol. it also points more naturally, and "feels more balanced" (like a coffee pot handle versus an iron skillet). ergonomic. our mk V is designed to conform to contortions already drilled into the anatomy of our soldiery. the grip is "idealized for presentation" ala sabers (which is, technically, what a pistol was in military arms, a real buck rogers style saber), in all forms of drill. it's a cutlass grip on the mk V, which is why the earlier "humpectomy" was performed, it "interfered with conformity of presentation". also, our late 19th century hussar had honestly small concern of "grouping" or even accuracy at range in "real world use", as their employment of pistols was against the same foes they would swing a saber at, or gore with a pike. as huckleberry hound said "i rarely miss at THIS range", lol. shoot foe a, downward club the skull of foe b, uppercut the skull of foe c, your grip is reset, lol. the grip is made to capitalize on the already required completely stylized, unnatural motions of "accepted drill practices", dynamic kinematics. of course, modern eyes give us the advantage to see the obvious folly of dynamic kinematics, but, like most "procedural doctrine", it's moribound antiquity was a creeping menace. it sprung forth when one handed firearms showed practicality, and tradition is HUGE in military drill doctrine. having to alter loading drill probably did more to stall acceptance of breech loaders among the "old beards" than any technical difficulties, honestly. pistols were the fodder of the mounted troops that fought close, so were designed to emulate employment of the "traditional weapons" those troops used. toss around that mk V and a calvary sword of similar vintage, you will find similar balance. pikes, same thing. calvary swords and pikes died in the trenches, so did the appeal of those pistols that imitated their handling. then the influences of those who had stood off colonial walls of angry flesh charging fixed lines of brits were able to influence design for obvious practical reasons. as for "shaved" cylinders, my opinion is highly influenced by that of nonte, in his tome on pistolsmithing. a well done example on a mk V or later will in no way be dangerous, even with mil-spec .45 acp. every one of those revolvers went through a brit proof house, and passed at pressures far exceeding acp spec. nitro proofed cylinders have all the oomph needed, plus. however, bubba got his paws on most shavers. many were shaved by draw filing, a process whose precision is entirely resting in the talented hands of the file wielding bubba, cheeto stained t-shirt and all, lol. but, tons of them were cut on lathes, so it isnt guaranteed that "bubba precision" rules. the problem is actually the acp round itself, the rim cut is entirely unsupported but for the clip, which only bears on half (outer, fortunately, lol). so 50% of the extractor groove is guaranteed unsupported, even if built by swiss clock makers. soft case head, powee! failure. arrrgh, doom? nope, a problem with an easy solution the .45 "auto rim" case (yes, still available). it is a .45 acp case with a rim of .45 colt diameter, but clipped acp headspace thickness. it was developed for our own 1917 revolvers, to obsolete the need for half moon clips. .45 colt WILL NOT WORK, the rim is not thick enough, it HAS to be auto rim, or clipped acp. also, with bright light to highlight, an auto rim case allows actually eyeballing how rough the fit is in individual chambers, so allows the mk I eyeball gauge to assess worthiness of investing in the gunsmith inspection before firing. if you see scalloped fit around the rims, accept the wall hanger status. flat planar breech end, pass the inspection. bubba topography? parts gun. of final note, i also cant help but notice the "harder yes possibilities" for the mk VI design Mae speculates about basically describe the replacement .38 caliber examples, so her opinion was obviously shared by many bigwigs, at the very least. of course, as usual, impossible to have a complaint. another superb episode from about the best channel on youtube! if you dont stop rocking, i wont stop watching, lol! edit: like # 950 even, lol

Interested in you observations of the Webley WG at 10 mins into the video. I used to have a very similar one (serial No 1503) - the main difference was a knurled wheel to release the cylinder rather than the slotted screw on your one. As far as I could find out mine was made between May and July of 1886. Whilst the finish on mine was quite worn, mechanically, the pistol was effectively new and shot superbly. True it was not the most accurate revolver I have ever tried/owned, but it was the fastest functioning and most instinctive shooting revolver that I have ever held. At the time it was far ahead (in handling/functionality) of the modern Ruger and Smith & Wesson revolvers that I had at the time. I also liked the fact that, when it was made, British Service revolvers had to be able to use any British service cartridge so it would happily digest a wide range of cartridges from 450 Adams to the 476 + a few others. Unfortunately I live in the UK - so back in 98 this piece of history ended up being confiscated and melted down! All I am now left with is happy memories.

amazing. Great vid. Well prepared, and well executed.

Mae: I rush to say that my enthusiastic appreciation of your contributions to the show have nothing at all to do with the increasingly glamorous changes in your appearance. Certainly not. Your new hair style (nice cut), your ditching of the frame glasses, and certain delicate "adjustments" to your costumes are all things I hardly notice. I continue to hold you in the highest esteem as a firearms expert, and in that regard, your keen analysis based on hands-on, visually documented range experience speaks for itself. My engagement with your academic approach is so complete that I totally failed to notice you saying, "You're a dick!" at 55:06 of current video. Kudos to you, Mae, and to that other guy, whoever he is.

39:35 No it is clearly Boba Fetts Blaster from The Empire Strikes back and Return of the Jedi!

One interesting tidbit: my Webley Hurricane air pistol in .177, in which the barrel acts as a lever to arm the piston spring, still uses such a stirrup to retain the barrel in battery.

Great, guess I'll have to add some kind of Webly/Enfield's to my collection now. Loved the history.

The idea of assembly lines starting as an automotive thing is a common misunderstanding. I was taught that firearms were first - because of the need for interchangeable parts - and fast, reliable, less-expensive manufacture of comparatively huge orders in times of war. Henry Ford's contribution was mostly to realise that even something as complex as a car could be build in the same fashion, when everyone else believed it had too many parts for them to all be interchangeable and reliable. if they were build in this fashion.

No shame in taking the 32. A hit with a 22 is better than a miss with a 44.

Yo, seriously, you guys are awesome and hilarious. Keep up the great work, cheers!

I love how much you are dedicated to sound fidelity. I can say, from your videos, tye .455 Webley is my favorite sounding pistol l, well that's not black powder. Your reprecussions series is great and I can't wait until you cover my favorite sounding firearm, the Remington 1858 in black powder form. I have also realized that I will never own a .32 pistol, not because they fire an underpowered cartridge, but the sound too peaky for my ears. Either way, it's nice to hear something other than .22LR, 9mm or .45 ACP like I hear at the range all the time. Great job with the sound ❤

If presented with only World War I small arms to fight in the trenches, I think I would choose the MK VI Webley for it's combination of reliability and one shot stopping power... Simplicity matters in those conditions, and the Webley definitely took the cake with that. To me, the heft of the revolver makes for very little perceived recoil, but at 6'1 and over 220 lbs, I guess I am much bigger than your average British soldier.

The army taught instinctive shooting from the hip with revolvers, maybe that has something to do with the Webley grip shape. I once borrowed a MK5 and entered a full bore shooting competition with it,never shot one before came second against people with modern weapons. The person who came first was using a Swiss made gun in a smaller bore with light hand loads, so the Webley can shoot well.

Very good presentation,thanks.

Fair comments on usability, the final reference to Savage v. Webley, the size and weight is key. May is a very experienced shooter, and has shot all sorts of different handguns, but she is not he type of person the Webley was designed for, it’s perfectly understandable that she would go for a more handy weapon.

The British decision to go to a .38 caliber round might have been excusable if they went to .38 Special instead of picking an already obsolete and underpowered cartridge in the form of the .38 S&W.

I don't understand why Uberti or one of the other Italian replica makers has not made a replica of the Webley Mk6, chambered for .45ACP with clips, or .45 Auto Rim.

I know a lot of people think the idea of a bayonet on a revolver is weird, but if you get a chance do visit the WW1 museum in Ypres to understand what a horrifyingly medieval thing trench warfare was! Trench raids must have been terrifying.

Love you guys interactions!!!

Love Mail from a very bemused Savage Owner :D

C&R please do the mosin nagant i know your probably going to do the m1911 but i think you could save that for after plus you have not done any russian weapons yet and you should take a little break from pistols for a bit

I came over here on Ian Mc Cullum's recommendation. Love the channel.

Great collection there!

One thing, this is a platoon leaders weapon. You’re relying on on your section for accuracy.

mae got contacts (or lasik). whichever it is, mazel tov. and did I hear correctly that we're doing webley automatics next episode?

Thanks again guys!

I was consigned a Webley (I think it was Mk VI ?) in 38 SW short when I was an armored truck driver in South Africa in 1978. It holds a spot in my heart for nostalgia.

Great video. Sorry about the hate mail. But the mark 5 was the old point blank and shoot era from the hip, either horse back or fighting CQB. The mark 6 was base on Bisley target match shootings before the war. Where tight groups at longer ranges. Also, 455. was a man stopper, compare to the 32. you needed one or two bullets of 455. then the whole clip of 32. 32's are considered coup de grace pistols.