Webley Model 1913
Webley & Scott Ltd. · Pistol · Discontinued · 1913
Also known as: Webley & Scott Self-Loading Pistol Mark I N, Webley .455 Self-Loading, Webley & Scott Mark I Navy
Overview
The Webley Model 1913 is a short-recoil, locked-breech self-loading pistol designed by William John Whiting and produced by Webley & Scott. Chambered for the powerful .455 Webley Auto semi-rimmed cartridge, it was adopted by the Royal Navy in 1913 as the first automatic pistol in British service. It has a distinctive slab-sided, angular profile with a vertically fluted slide rear, an exposed hammer, and a grip safety; on firing, side lugs cam the barrel downward to unlock the breech before the slide cycles. Fed from a seven-round detachable box magazine, it was the largest production Webley automatic and saw limited service through both World Wars.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 1131 g (39.9 oz) |
| Overall Length | 216 mm (8.50") |
| Barrel Length | 127 mm (5.00") |
| Action Type | Short Recoil |
| Firing Mechanism | Single Action |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 7 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 235 m/s (771 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 400 J (295 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 45 m (49 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Slide Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- .455 Webley Auto · primary — also known as .455 Webley Self-Loading, .455 Webley Automatic, 11.43x23SR
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Grip Safety
- Features: Exposed Hammer, Fluted Slide Rear, Lanyard Loop, Slab Sided Profile, Camming Barrel Lockup
Base model
Service history
Operators
- Royal Navy · adopted 1913 · as Pistol Self-Loading .455 Mark I N
- Royal Marines · adopted 1913
- British Army
Conflicts
- World War I (1914-1918)
- World War II (1939-1945)
Production
Production years: 1912-1932
Around 8,000 purchased by the Royal Navy during WWI; the British Army acquired only a few hundred, preferring its revolvers.
Origin
Country of origin: United Kingdom
Designer: William John Whiting
Discontinued: 1932
Notes
Service designation entry corresponding to the Webley & Scott Mark I Navy self-loading pistol. Muzzle energy calculated from bullet mass and velocity (~700-770 ft/s sources). Distinct from the Webley revolvers and the Webley-Fosbery automatic revolver.
Background
After the poor showing of his 1904 prototype at military trials, designer William Whiting was determined that his next pistol would be fully developed before reaching the military's hands. The resulting 1913 design impressed the Royal Navy, which adopted it enthusiastically, but the Army remained wedded to its trusted Webley revolvers, so the powerful self-loader never achieved widespread land service.