The workhouse handgun of the British army at the start of World War I in 1914 was the Webley, big, ugly top-breaks chambered in .455. While not likely to win a beauty contest, Webley’s revolvers—from the Mk I through the Mk VI—were chambered for a man-stopping cartridge and were extremely reliable. Not so reliable was the Webley-Fosbery Automatic Revolver (not to be confused with Cruncberries)—that’s right a semi-automatic revolver. Additionally, the British and their Commonwealth allies bought Colts and Smith & Wessons, including the ubiquitous Government Model chambered in .455.
For more American Rifleman TV segments, go to americanrifleman.org/artv.
Handguns of The Great War: Webleys, Fosberys and Colts
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
Interests
Federal Ammunition Awarded Contracts to Provide Rifle and Shotgun Ammunition to the Canadian Government | An Official Journal Of The NRA
- New for 2026: KJI K950 Tripod and Titan Inverted Ball Head | An Official Journal Of The NRA
- Federal Ammunition Awarded Contracts to Provide Rifle and Shotgun Ammunition to the Canadian Government | An Official Journal Of The NRA
- Buckmasters’ New Record Book Reveals Hot Spots, Revamped Rankings | An Official Journal Of The NRA












