Handguns of The Great War: Webleys, Fosberys and Colts

by
posted on August 12, 2016
** 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. **

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.

Latest

More Suppressors 2
More Suppressors 2

NFA Wait Times Continue to Drop

In early 2021, it took the ATF about 280 days to process a Form 4 NFA transfer. In August 2026, using the recently implemented eForms system, that wait time had dropped to only nine days.

Pelican Air Carry-on Case Review

An industry staple just made air travel more convenient.

The ROSE Program by SIG Sauer: Empowering Women in Shooting Sports Across the Nation

The ROSE Program is a shooting program created specifically for women. It aims to create a community of women in shooting that can learn about shooting and self-defense.

I Have This Old Gun: French MAS-49

Despite being early adopters of several semi-automatic rifles for military use, the French army took several decades to work out a standardized semi-automatic rifle for general service use. The rifle that finally came to being was the MAS-49.

Polite Society Industries Launches with Complete Suppressor Line

"An armed society is a polite society," goes the famous quote, which is also the inspiration behind Polite Society Industries, a new suppressor manufacturer that now has a complete line available to consumers.

NRA-ILA Names Smith & Wesson Official Partner of the 2026 NRA Gun Bus Battleground Tour

Iconic American firearms maker Smith & Wesson will join NRA-ILA on the road as nation's leading firearm group turns out voters ahead of the 2026 midterm.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.