The records of the British Army’s Director of Army Contracts show that the revolvers cost between 58 and 61 shillings each between 18. Webley sought to maintain parts interchangeability with the earlier MkIII.

The width of the slots in cylinder were increased (from ♰625″ to ♱25″) and the hammer was lightened but retained the same nose profile as the previous pattern. The MkIV embodied a number of important improvements. Webley made the barrel, body, cylinder and the cylinder axis from a special mild steel with the Ratchet teeth of extractor and Lifting point of pawl were case hardened to make them more durable. The first Webley service revolver, the MkI, was adopted officially in 1890 Left side vide Webley MkIV (Matthew Moss)Įxternally, at a glance the Mark IV looks little different to its predecessors retaining the same short 4 inch barrel, the same general layout and the same style birdshead grip of the earlier Mk II and MkIII revolvers it replaced. As such many MkIv’s were issued to enlisted troops. However, in 1878 the British Army began issuing revolvers to specialist troops such as gunners, NCOs and trumpeters.

Traditionally, until the early 1880s, revolvers had been the preserve of officers who provided their own privately purchased side arm.

455 webley cartridge, and is not to be confused with the later. As such the MkIV has become synonymous with the war, becoming known as ‘the Boer War Model’. The British Army adopted the Mark IV in October 1899, with the vast majority of the MKIV revolvers accepted for service by the British Army purchased between 18, entering service just as the Second Anglo-Boer War began.

Webley revolver dates of manufacture