Webley Mk III .38
Webley & Scott · Revolver · Discontinued · 1897
Also known as: Webley .38 Mk III, Webley Mark III .38, Webley .38 inch revolver Mk III
Overview
The Webley Mk III .38 is a British six-shot, top-break double-action revolver chambered in .38 S&W, introduced by Webley & Scott in 1897. Mechanically identical to the preceding .38 Mk II save for revised cylinder-cam parts, it was officially adopted on 5 October 1897 but intended primarily for police and commercial sale rather than military issue. Breaking the barrel open operates a star extractor that ejects all six spent cases simultaneously, and the rebounding hammer permits safe double-action carry. It was produced with 3-inch commercial and 4-inch contract barrels.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 600 g (21.2 oz) |
| Overall Length | 190 mm (7.48") |
| Barrel Length | 102 mm (4.02") |
| Action Type | Revolving |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Double Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 6 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Revolving Cylinder |
| Muzzle Velocity | 190 m/s (623 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 235 J (173 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 18 m (20 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Number of Grooves | 7 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Vulcanite |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- .38 S&W · primary — also known as .38/200, .380 Revolver Mk I, 9x20mmR
Features
- Firing modes: Repeating
- Feed systems: Revolver Cylinder
- Safety mechanisms: Rebounding Hammer
- Features: Top Break Action, Automatic Extractor, Six Round Cylinder, Fixed Sights
Service history
Operators
- British police forces · adopted 1897
Conflicts
- World War I (1914-1918)
Production
Production years: 1897-1900s
Made in Birmingham; superseded by the .38 Mk IV pattern that became the basis of the wartime .38/200 service revolver.
Origin
Country of origin: United Kingdom
Notes
Built on the small-frame .38 top-break pocket/police design rather than the large-frame .455 service Webley of the same Mk III designation. A handful were stamped with the British 'broad arrow' acceptance mark; one example was carried by Lieutenant-Colonel Murray of the King's Own Scottish Borderers at the 1917 Battle of Cambrai.
Background
Although adopted on the same 1897 date as the heavier .455 Webley Mk III service revolver, the .38 Mk III was a compact top-break aimed at police and civilian buyers, and so rarely appeared in front-line military hands during the Great War.