Webley RIC

The Webley Royal Irish Constabulary revolver is a British double-action, centerfire cartridge revolver designed in 1867.

Key Information

Webley Royal Irish Constabulary revolver
Webley Royal Irish Constabulary revolver No 1
Type	Revolver
Place of origin	United Kingdom
Service history
In service	1867–1918
Wars	Fenian Raid Anglo-Zulu War Second Afghan War
Production history
Designed	1867
Manufacturer	Webley & Scott, Birmingham
Produced	1867-1898
Variants	No 1 & No 2 Model
Specifications
Mass	30 oz (0.85 kg), unloaded[1]
Length	9.25 in. (235 mm)[1]
Barrel length	4.5 in. (114 mm)[1]
Cartridge	.442 Webley cartridge
Action	Double-action
Muzzle velocity	c650 ft/s (198 m/s)[1]
Effective firing range	25 yd (23 m)
Maximum firing range	100 yd (91 m)
Feed system	6 shot cylinder
Sights	Fixed front post and rear notch
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British armsmaker Philip Webley and Son of Birmingham produced their first caplock revolvers (Webley Longspur) in 1853 with limited success, due to the popularity of the already established Adams revolvers.

Taking lead in the new (at the time) centerfire metal cartridge technology, they produced their first breachloading, centerfire cartridge revolvers in 1867.

They were the first popular Webley product that made the firm famous. Due to their quality, they remained in production for more than 30 years.^[1]

In 1868, the Royal Irish Constabulary was formed as a paramilitary force armed with carbines and revolvers. As the Webley revolver was adopted as their first service weapon, it was known after that as the Royal Irish Constabulary revolver.^[1][2]

Designed in 1867 for .442 centerfire cartridge, it was one of the earliest British breachloading revolvers. Solid frame revolver, with a round barrel screwed into the frame, and a one piece wooden grip held by two vertical screws.

The foresight is sloted in, mostly semi-round, while the backsight is a long, V-shaped groove on the top strap above the cylinder. It has a loading gate hinged at the bottom that opens sideways, held by a flat spring.

The six cambered cylinder is plain in the early models, while in later ones it was fluted to achieve a small reduction in weight. The ejector rod is mounted on a yoke (swivel) under the barrel and mostly housed in the hollow cylinder arbor, so it can be pulled out and swung to the right when needed. When the ejector rod is drawn out, the cylinder may be removed after drawing the arbor forward.

The revolver has a double-action lock, with a half-cock position for loading.^[1][2]

These revolvers were made in a variety of calibers, but no less than .410 in (10.4 mm). They were widely used all over the British Empire, and copied in various European countries.

In 1872, a pocket model (.442 in) with a 2.5 in barrel was produced, which was the precursor of the famous British Buldog revolvers.^[1]

Produced from 1872, slightly smaller (8.25 in length, 3.5 in barrel) and lighter (0.76 kg) model, with the same overall characteristics.^[1][2]

They were made in a variety of calibers, from .320 and .380 to .450. Service revolvers were six-shot, but smaller commercial 5-shot variants were also very popular.^[3]

Aside from the Royal Irish Constabulary, Webley RIC revolvers were massively used by United Kingdom and former colonial forces.

They immediately became popular with British Army officers, who at the time were expected to purchase their own personal weapons (swords and pistols) on their own expense, as very robust, compact and reliable weapons.

They were deployed by British officers and horsemen in the Anglo-Zulu War (1879). Practical use in combat showed that they were mostly effective on the distance of less than 25 yards.^[4]

The Webley RIC was one of the earliest British breachloading revolvers and one of the most popular British revolvers of the 19th century.^[1]

• Myatt, Major Frederick (1981). An Illustrated Guide to Pistols and Revolvers. London: Salamander Books Limited. ISBN 0861010973.
• Zhuk, A.B. (1995). Walter, John (ed.). The illustrated encyclopedia of HANDGUNS, pistols and revolvers of the world, 1870 to 1995. Translated by Bobrov, N.N. London: Greenhill Books. pp. 60–61. ISBN 1-85367-187-8.
• Kinard, Jeff (2003). Pistols, An Illustrated History of Their Impact. Santa Barbara, California: ABC-CLIO, Inc. ISBN 1-85109-475-X.
• Laband, John (2009). Historical dictionary of the Zulu wars. Historical dictionaries of war, revolution, and civil unrest. Lanham, Md: Scarecrow Press. ISBN 978-0-8108-6078-0. OCLC 276930370.