History Primer 178: Webley No.5 Army Express Documentary

Published on May 30, 2023
Duration: 54:55

This documentary provides an in-depth historical and technical analysis of the Webley No.5 Army Express revolver. It details its design evolution, mechanical features, and service history, particularly in colonial South Africa. The video highlights its role as a rugged, albeit mechanically simplified, sidearm suited for its intended environment.

Quick Summary

The Webley No.5 Army Express is a triple-action revolver with a 6-round capacity, 11-inch overall length, and weighing 2.4 lbs. Chambered in calibers like .450 Adams and .455 Enfield, it saw significant service in Southern Africa. Its design prioritized ruggedness and cost-effectiveness for colonial use, featuring manual cylinder indexing.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction to the Webley No.5
  2. 00:39Technical Specifications Overview
  3. 02:45Historical Context: The Adams Legacy
  4. 03:24Philip Webley and the RIC Market
  5. 04:16Military Competition and the Enfield Adoption
  6. 07:25Evolution of the Webley No.5
  7. 11:16Mechanical Features and Safeties
  8. 13:58The New Model Army Express
  9. 20:09Service History in South Africa
  10. 23:51Range Performance and Final Assessment

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the key technical specifications of the Webley No.5 Army Express?

The Webley No.5 Army Express (New Model) is a triple-action revolver with a 6-round capacity, a barrel length of 5.5 inches, and an overall length of 11 inches. It weighs approximately 2.4 lbs (1.07 kg) and was chambered in calibers like .450 Adams, .455 Enfield, and .476 Enfield.

Where did the Webley No.5 Army Express see significant service?

The Webley No.5 Army Express saw considerable service in Southern Africa, particularly with forces like the Transvaal government, Cape Police, and the Orange Free State, playing a role in conflicts such as the Boer War.

How did the Webley No.5 Army Express evolve?

The 'New Model' Webley No.5 evolved from earlier designs by simplifying features like the hammer block safety and auto-rebounding hammer to reduce manufacturing costs and improve durability for its intended rugged service, featuring a squared-off frame and a two-piece grip.

What makes the Webley No.5 Army Express's action unique?

The Webley No.5 Army Express features a triple-action mechanism, allowing for single-action, double-action, and importantly, manual indexing of the cylinder. This manual indexing is a key characteristic differentiating it from many later, automatically rotating revolvers.

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