American Rifleman TV Preview: The Handguns of World War 1, Part 4

Published on September 2, 2014
Duration: 2:55

This episode of American Rifleman TV delves into the handguns of World War I, specifically focusing on revolvers used by the British and Commonwealth forces. It highlights the iconic Webley revolver, detailing its design, caliber, and historical context during the Great War, emphasizing its role as a reliable 'man stopper' despite its underpowered cartridge.

Quick Summary

The Webley revolver, an icon of the British Empire, was a large, six-shot, top-break handgun chambered for the .455 Webley cartridge. Designed as a 'man stopper,' it proved reliable and effective during World War I, despite its cartridge being less powerful and slower than contemporary .45 ACP or .45 Colt rounds.

Chapters

  1. 00:01Introduction to American Rifleman TV
  2. 00:08Focus on WWI Handguns: British & Commonwealth
  3. 00:17Rifleman Review: Stag 3TM FR
  4. 00:26Classic Colt Revolver: The Python
  5. 00:30Other Revolvers: Webley Handguns of WWI
  6. 00:40World War I Context: Armies and Casualties
  7. 00:54Trench Warfare in Winter 1914
  8. 01:01Military Handgun Trends of the Era
  9. 01:04Rise of the Semi-Auto Pistol
  10. 01:06Smokeless Powder Introduction
  11. 01:11Small Caliber, High Velocity Theories
  12. 01:24British Response: The Webley Revolver
  13. 01:30The Webley Revolver: An Icon
  14. 01:36Webley Design: Six-Shot Top Break
  15. 01:39Webley Caliber: .455 Webley Cartridge
  16. 01:43Webley Purpose: Man Stopper
  17. 01:46.455 Webley Cartridge Analysis
  18. 01:48Comparison: .455 Webley vs. .45 ACP
  19. 01:53Comparison: .455 Webley vs. .45 Colt
  20. 01:55.455 Webley Velocity and Energy
  21. 02:01Impact of Low Velocity on Design
  22. 02:05First British Army Adopted Webley: Mark 1
  23. 02:10Distinguishing Webley Marks (Mk 1-5)
  24. 02:26Webley Aesthetics: Ugly is Beautiful
  25. 02:29Webley Revolver: Massive and Reliable
  26. 02:32Webley Bullet Diameter and Energy
  27. 02:43Webley Effectiveness and Reliability
  28. 02:46Webley Performance Summary

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the primary purpose of the Webley revolver during World War I?

The Webley revolver was primarily designed and used as a 'man stopper' by the British and Commonwealth forces during World War I. Its robust construction and .455 caliber were intended to provide significant stopping power in combat situations.

What caliber cartridge did the Webley revolver typically use?

The Webley revolver discussed in the video is chambered for the .455 Webley cartridge. This large-diameter lead bullet was a key feature of the revolver's design for its intended role.

How does the .455 Webley cartridge compare to other contemporary or later handgun cartridges?

The .455 Webley cartridge is described as somewhat underpowered and not particularly fast-moving or high-velocity when compared to cartridges like the .45 ACP or .45 Colt. However, its characteristics allowed for the use of a top-break revolver design.

What were the general trends in military handguns around the turn of the 20th century?

Around the turn of the 20th century, military handgun development saw the rise of the semi-automatic pistol and the increasing use of smokeless powder. There was also a theoretical trend towards smaller caliber bullets driven to higher velocities.

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