Webley 1913 Semiauto Pistol: History and Disassembly

Published on May 25, 2017
Duration: 22:52

This guide details the field stripping process for the Webley 1913 Semiauto Pistol, as demonstrated by Ian McCollum of Forgotten Weapons. The process is straightforward, involving locking the slide, depressing a button, and sliding the upper assembly forward. This procedure is crucial for maintenance and understanding the internal mechanics of this historically significant WWI-era firearm.

Quick Summary

The Webley 1913 Semiauto Pistol, chambered in .455 Webley Self-Loading, was the only semi-automatic adopted by the British military in WWI. Its field stripping involves locking the slide, pressing a button, and sliding the upper assembly forward. It underwent rigorous testing, proving highly reliable, and uses a unique cartridge distinct from revolver rounds.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction and Early History
  2. 01:26Military Trials and Development
  3. 03:10Torture Testing and Service Branch Rivalry
  4. 06:06Adoption and Production Numbers
  5. 10:45Technical Features and Markings
  6. 15:31The .455 Webley Self-Loading Cartridge
  7. 18:03Disassembly and Internal Mechanics

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Webley 1913 Semiauto Pistol?

The Webley 1913 Semiauto Pistol, chambered in .455 Webley Self-Loading, was the sole semi-automatic pistol adopted by the British military during World War I. It featured a grip safety and a unique magazine cutoff system.

How do you field strip the Webley 1913?

Field stripping involves locking the slide back, depressing the disassembly button, and then sliding the barrel and slide assembly forward off the frame. This allows for separation of the slide from the barrel for cleaning and maintenance.

What caliber does the Webley 1913 use?

The Webley 1913 uses the .455 Webley Self-Loading cartridge. This is a distinct round from the .455 Webley Revolver cartridge and should not be interchanged due to pressure differences.

What were the key features of the Webley 1913 during military trials?

During its trials, the Webley 1913 demonstrated exceptional reliability, functioning flawlessly even after water immersion and drop tests. It also passed endurance tests firing over 1,250 rounds without cleaning.

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