Webley & Scott No.1 Mk III Flare Pistol
Webley & Scott Ltd. · Pistol · Out Of Production · 1911
Also known as: Very pistol, 1 inch signal pistol, No.1 Mk III signal pistol
Overview
The Webley & Scott No.1 Mk III is a British 1-inch (26.5mm) break-action single-shot signal pistol that fires Very pyrotechnic flare cartridges for illumination and distress signalling. Adopted in 1911 as an improvement of the Mk II, it served through both World Wars with the British Army, Royal Navy, Royal Air Force and Commonwealth forces. As a flare launcher it lobs a burning signal star rather than a ballistic projectile, so muzzle velocity is low and unspecified.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 1270 g (44.8 oz) |
| Overall Length | 240 mm (9.45") |
| Barrel Length | 144 mm (5.67") |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 1 rounds |
| Barrel Rifling | Smoothbore |
| Frame Material | Brass |
| Barrel Material | Brass |
| Stock Material | Wood |
Calibers
- 1 inch Very signal cartridge (26.5mm) · primary — also known as 1 inch flare, Very light, 26.5mm signal
Features
- Firing modes: Manual
- Feed systems: Single Shot Break Action
- Features: Break Action, Single Shot, Flanged Muzzle, Butt Swivel, Signal Flare Launcher
Variants
- Webley & Scott No.1 Mk II Signal Pistol — Earlier Steel Pattern
- Webley & Scott No.1 Mk III* Signal Pistol — Alloy Butt Swivel
Service history
Operators
- British Army · adopted 1911 · as No.1 Mk III
- Royal Air Force
- Royal Navy
Conflicts
- World War I (1914-1918)
- World War II (1939-1945)
Production
Production years: 1911-1940s
Produced by at least five British makers; the Mk III and Mk III* patterns saw service across both World Wars.
Origin
Country of origin: United Kingdom
Notes
Specifications from a No.1 Mk III* museum example: 26.5mm bore, 240mm overall length, 144mm barrel, 1,270g, with a bronze/brass body and steel lockwork. The Mk III* added a butt swivel (February 1915) and a flanged, extended muzzle (December 1916) to keep the user's hand clear when the barrel is depressed for loading. Built by several makers including Webley & Scott, W. W. Greener, Wolseley, Chubb and Cogswell & Harrison.
Background
Signal pistols of this type are universally nicknamed Very pistols after US Navy ordnance officer Lt. Edward Wilson Very, who patented his snub-nosed single-shot flare pistol in 1877 and gave the burning signal stars their name, Very lights.