Up until recently I thought the Webley MKVI was the primary sidearm for the commonwealth forces in WW2. The Webley was definitely still around but the new primary revolver was the Enfield No2 mk1

The Enfield No. 2 Mk I is one of the most recognisable British service revolvers of the 20th century. Produced between 1930 and 1957, it fired the .38 S&W cartridge—often referred to in British service as “.380”—and became a standard sidearm across the British Empire during the Second World War.

After World War I, British military planners moved away from the powerful but heavy-recoiling .455 revolvers. The goal was a lighter, more manageable sidearm that could be quickly mastered by soldiers with minimal training. The answer came in the form of a .38 calibre revolver firing a heavy 200-grain bullet, designed to be effective at close range with less recoil and faster follow-up shots.

Although heavily influenced by Webley designs, the Enfield was developed at the Royal Small Arms Factory. It retained the classic top-break design, allowing for very fast reloading thanks to its automatic ejector, one of the defining features of British revolvers

There were three primary versions:

Mk I (1931) – Featured a spurred hammer and could be fired in both single and double action.

Mk I* – The most common wartime variant, with a spurless hammer and double-action-only operation for simplicity and faster training.

Mk I** – A simplified wartime production model introduced in 1942, though short-lived due to safety concerns.

Most Mk I revolvers were later converted to Mk I* standard during wartime servicing.

The Enfield No. 2 excelled in its intended role: close-quarters combat. Its relatively light trigger in double-action mode made it effective for rapid fire at short distances, though it wasn’t ideal for precision shooting beyond about 15 yards.

Soldiers had mixed opinions—while it was practical and easy to use, some preferred alternatives from Smith & Wesson, Colt, or Webley, particularly due to the heavier double-action trigger pull on the Mk I*.

Originally designed for the .38/200 cartridge with a 200-grain lead bullet, the revolver later used a 178-grain full metal jacket round during WWII to comply with international conventions. Both types saw combat use due to wartime supply demands.

Although officially declared obsolete after World War II, the Enfield No. 2 remained in service in some roles until 1969. Its widespread use across the British Empire—and even limited production in places like Australia—cemented its place as a classic military sidearm.

From a collector’s perspective, the Enfield No. 2 offers a fascinating blend of practical wartime design and subtle variation between models. Whether it’s a well-worn Mk I* or a rarer early Mk I, each example tells a story of adaptation and necessity in a changing era of military firearms.

If you spend any time around old service revolvers, sooner or later you’ll come across a Webley—and once you do, it’s hard not to appreciate them. From a collector’s point of view, these aren’t just old British sidearms; they’re some of the most character-filled and mechanically satisfying revolvers ever made.

What Makes a Webley a Webley?

At its core, the Webley is all about that top-break design. Press the latch, hinge the frame open, and the extractor kicks out all the spent cartridges in one smooth motion. It’s quick, practical, and honestly a bit addictive to play with (carefully, of course).

This “self-extracting” system made the Webley incredibly efficient for its time—far faster to reload than most solid-frame revolvers of the late 1800s.

Chambered primarily in .455 Webley, these revolvers packed serious punch. Among top-break designs, they’re about as powerful as it gets, which only adds to their appeal today.

A Bit of History (Without Getting Too Dry)

Webley revolvers go back to the mid-1800s, starting with early cap-and-ball designs in the 1850s. By the 1870s, the company had moved into the hinged-frame revolvers that would define the brand.

Some highlights collectors tend to appreciate:

Webley-Pryse (1877) and Webley-Kaufman (1881): Early steps toward the classic top-break system Webley RIC (Royal Irish Constabulary): A sturdy, solid-frame revolver with real historical charm British Bulldog: A compact, pocket-sized revolver that’s still widely collected today

But the real legacy comes from the military models.

Military Service: Where Webley Earned Its Reputation

The Early Days to the Boer War

The British Army officially adopted the first Webley service revolver—the Mk I—in 1887. It replaced earlier, less reliable designs and quickly proved itself.

By the time of the Boer War (1899–1902), the Mk IV had become the standout model. Officers often purchased them privately, which is why you’ll still find quite a few Mk IVs with interesting service histories.

World War I: The Webley at Its Peak

When the First World War kicked off, the Mk V was technically standard issue—but the older Mk IVs were still everywhere.

Then came the legend: the Mk VI (introduced in 1915).

From a collector’s standpoint, the Mk VI is the Webley to own:

Distinctive square grip Longer 6-inch barrel Built tough for trench warfare

These revolvers were used by everyone—officers, airmen, tank crews, even trench raiding parties. They handled mud, grime, and abuse remarkably well.

There were even some fascinating accessories:

Clip-on bayonets (yes, really) Early speedloaders Shoulder stocks to turn it into a sort of carbine

World War II and the End of Service

By WWII, the British military had moved toward the smaller .38/200 calibre, leading to the Webley Mk IV in .38.

Even though the Enfield No. 2 was the official sidearm, Webleys were still widely issued due to shortages—especially the older .455 Mk VI models.

After the war, Webleys lingered in service for quite a while:

Official British service didn’t fully end until 1963 Some police forces around the world used them even longer Ammunition shortages meant many sat in storage more than they were fired

There’s even a running joke from an armourer in Germany—by the end, soldiers were issued two rounds per year. Hardly wearing them out!

The Different Marks (The Ones Collectors Care About)

The .455 service Webleys went through six main versions:

Mk I (1887): The original Mk II (1895): Improved durability and ergonomics Mk III (1897): Minor internal tweaks (rarer in service) Mk IV (1899): The Boer War favourite Mk V (1913): Designed for newer ammunition Mk VI (1915): The iconic wartime revolver

Each has its quirks, but for most collectors, the Mk IV and Mk VI are the stars of the show.

Beyond the Military Models

Webley didn’t just build military revolvers—they had a strong civilian and police market too.

A few interesting ones:

Webley-Government (WG): Popular private-purchase revolvers for officers British Bulldog: Compact and widely copied worldwide Webley-Fosbery Automatic Revolver: A bizarre but brilliant hybrid—an “automatic revolver” with a sliding upper frame

India even continued the lineage with the IOF .32 revolver, clearly inspired by the Webley design.

Why Collectors Love Them

From a collector’s point of view, Webleys tick a lot of boxes:

Mechanical charm: That top-break action never gets old Historical depth: From colonial wars to both World Wars Variety: Plenty of models, calibres, and variations to chase Affordability (relatively): Compared to some other historic firearms

They’re not just display pieces either—they feel like tools that were genuinely used, carried, and relied upon.

Final Thoughts

Webley revolvers are one of those rare collectibles that balance engineering, history, and personality. Whether it’s a well-worn Mk IV that might’ve seen the Boer War, or a chunky Mk VI straight out of the trenches of WWI, each one tells a story.

And if you ever get the chance to handle one and snap it open—you’ll understand exactly why collectors keep coming back to them.

Did you know that colt, Ithaca and Remington Rand made 1.9 million 1911A1s with Remington Rand making the most at around 800,000. And all production stopped 1945. And that was enough to supply all US military up until 1985 when the Beretta M9 was made standard

The rifle shown here is a replica of the famous American WW2 sniper rifle: The M1903A4. While it is not an original A4, it is built on a genuine M1903A3 action, which gives it real historical credibility. That said, the markings and serial numbers differ from those found on original A4 rifles.

World War II marked the first time sniper rifles were widely used in combat. Early on, the U.S. relied on M1903 National Match rifles that were quickly adapted for sniper duties. Later, the military began converting large numbers of M1903A3 rifles specifically for precision shooting, designating them as the M1903A4. These rifles were produced without iron sights, but the muzzle was still machined to accept a standard front sight base. One-piece Redfield scope bases were mounted using the rear sight location and secured to the front receiver ring.

Although labeled as M1903A3s, true M1903A4 sniper rifles had unique receiver markings. The markings on the front receiver ring were split so they could still be seen with the scope base installed. These rifles also used carefully selected receivers and barrels that met very tight specifications, ensuring consistent accuracy.

The M1903A4 was officially adopted on January 14, 1943, more than a year after the U.S. entered the war. The government initially directed 20,000 M1903A3 actions for sniper rifle production, followed by another order of 8,365 rifles five months later. Production ended less than a year after it began, with just under 30,000 rifles completed. Despite this relatively short production run, the M1903A4 saw service in World War II, the Korean War, and even into the Vietnam War.

In combat, the rifle performed well out to about 600 yards. Beyond that distance, its effectiveness was limited by the optics of the time. Standard-issue Weaver scopes had low magnification, usually 2.2X or 2.75X, and small 0.75-inch tubes that restricted the field of view. While an 8X Unertl scope was approved as an option, it was rarely issued, making long-range target identification difficult.

Years later, Gibbs Rifle Company began producing faithful M1903A4 replicas. These rifles used newly manufactured parts combined with original Remington M1903A3 actions. The actions came from deactivated drill rifles acquired when Gibbs purchased Parker-Hale’s rifle division in the 1990s. Each action was carefully restored and tested for proper hardness, and original, unissued World War II-era bolts were fitted.

New four-groove barrels were installed, receivers were correctly drilled and tapped, and replica mounts and rings were added. The rifles were finished with a Hi-Lux/Leatherwood reproduction of the M73B1 scope, which closely matches the original except for being waterproof.

Me and my dad got my Gibbs M1903A4 rifle back in 2011.

The U.S. Model 1903 is a bolt-action rifle with dual locking lugs, a large Mauser-style claw extractor, and a three-position safety mounted on the bolt. It feeds from a five-round internal magazine that can be loaded one round at a time or by stripper clips. While stripper clips are still available today, they can’t be used on the 1903A4 because the scope mount blocks the guide. A small lever at the rear left of the action acts as both a bolt release and a magazine cutoff, allowing the rifle to be fired as a single shot while keeping a full magazine in reserve.

Its time to talk about the weapon of the ANZAC’s! Up until recently I thought that this rifle was only used in WW1. As I have always been well aware of the Lee Enfield No.4 which was the upgraded model. I thought that all commonwealth forces went into WW2 carrying No4’s but actually it turns out Australia only carried Lee Enfield No1 Mk3s. New Zealand apparently started with No1’s but slowly upgraded to the new No’4s as the war went on.

Now let’s dive into what makes this iconic rifle so legendary!

This rifle is by far the most well-known Lee–Enfield was rifle, it was introduced on 26 January 1907 with the Pattern 1907 bayonet. It featured simplified sights, a fixed charger guide, improved handguards and magazine design, and was adapted to fire the new Mk VII high-velocity .303 ammunition. Many earlier Lee–Enfield and Lee–Metford rifles were rebuilt to this standard, known as “Mk IV Cond.”

The No. 1 Mk III also included a cleaning kit stored in the buttstock, with a pull-through, cloths, and an oil bottle.

During World War I, the Mk III was considered too complex and costly to produce, so the simplified Mk III* was introduced in 1915. It removed features like the magazine cut-off, volley sights, and windage adjustment. Some changes were added gradually across factories. The magazine cut-off returned after the war and wasn’t fully phased out until 1933, with some rifles still using it into the 1960s.

The rifle was later adapted for grenade launching, using a removable cup and blank rounds to fire modified Mills Bomb grenades up to about 200 yards.

Because major factories couldn’t meet wartime demand, Britain used the “peddled scheme,” outsourcing production and quadrupling output in the first year of the war.

The Mk III* served widely in World War II across North Africa, Italy, the Pacific, and Burma. Australia and India continued producing it as a standard rifle, with Australia keeping it through the Korean War until replaced by the L1A1 SLR in the late 1950s. Lithgow stopped production in 1953.

India’s Ishapore factory later developed the 2A and 2A1 models, strengthened to fire 7.62×51mm NATO, and production continued into the 1980s.

The rifle became widely known simply as the “three-oh-three.”

I enjoyed writing about the pattern 1914 Enfield so much I must talk about US adaptation of that very rifle.

From a collector’s point of view, the M1917 Enfield is one of those rifles that quietly did the hard work of history, yet never quite got the credit it deserved.

Officially known as the United States Rifle, Calibre .30, Model of 1917, the M1917 is essentially an American adaptation of the British Pattern 1914 Enfield. Despite the name, it has nothing to do with the Lee–Enfield. Instead, it is a big, strong Mauser-inspired bolt-action rifle that became the most widely issued American rifle of the First World War.

Before the Great War, Britain was already questioning the limits of the SMLE and its .303 cartridge, especially after facing accurate long-range fire from Mauser rifles during the Boer War. This led to the development of a new rifle at Enfield, heavily influenced by Mauser design principles. The original plan was to chamber it for a powerful new .276 Enfield cartridge, but the round proved impractical under wartime conditions.

When war broke out, Britain urgently needed rifles and turned to American manufacturers. The design was reworked to fire the familiar .303 British cartridge and became the Pattern 14. Winchester, Remington, and Remington’s Eddystone plant all produced the rifle.

When the United States entered the war in 1917, it faced the same problem: not enough rifles! Rather than retool factories to make more M1903 Springfields, the U.S. wisely adapted the existing Enfield design to the .30-06 Springfield cartridge. The result was the M1917 Enfield.

Production was enormous. Between Winchester, Remington, and Eddystone, over two million M1917s were built, easily outnumbering the M1903. By the end of the war, around three-quarters of American troops in France were carrying the M1917.

The rifle earned a solid reputation for strength, reliability, and accuracy. One of the most famous users was Sergeant Alvin C. York, who carried an M1917 during the action that earned him the Medal of Honor.

Despite this, the M1917 never quite shook its “stand-in” status, even though it was arguably better suited to mass wartime production than the Springfield.

After the armistice, most M1917s went into storage, though many were later sold as surplus. A large number were sporterised, and the action proved so strong and popular that Remington built new sporting rifles from it as the Remington Model 30.

Various countries adopted or experimented with the rifle, including Honduras, which fielded a 7×57mm version, and others who rechambered surplus rifles to different calibres.

At the start of the Second World War, the M1917 returned to service in secondary roles. It armed artillery crews, chemical mortarmen, training units, and Home Guard forces in Britain. Canada also purchased tens of thousands to cover shortages.

The rifle saw service in surprising places long after its supposed retirement. It appeared with Chinese forces in Korea, in various post-war conflicts, and even today remains in active service with the Danish Sirius Dog Sled Patrol in Greenland, chosen for its reliability in extreme Arctic conditions.

From a collector’s perspective, the M1917 has real presence. It is long, heavy, and unapologetically robust. The action was originally designed for a very powerful cartridge, which explains its strength and smooth bolt operation.

A Mauser-style action with a distinctive dog-leg bolt handle Cock-on-closing operation, inherited from British practice An excellent rear aperture sight protected by sturdy “ears” A six-round magazine capacity in .30-06 A long, heavy barrel that contributes to excellent long-range accuracy

It is heavier than the M1903 Springfield, and its length made it awkward in trenches, but on the range it shines. The sight picture is superb, and the rifle has a solid, confidence-inspiring feel that collectors quickly appreciate.

Often overlooked in favour of the 1903 Springfield or the M1 Garand, the M1917 deserves far more respect. In many ways, it was the rifle that actually won America’s first modern war.

The .303 Pattern 1914 Rifle, better known simply as the P14, is one of those rifles that just looks right. Big, purposeful, and unapologetically overbuilt, it has a presence that immediately sets it apart from other First World War service rifles. With its distinctive dog leg bolt handle, massive receiver, and unmistakable protective sight ears, the P14 looks every bit the serious military tool it was designed to be.

Born out of hard lessons learned during the Boer War, the P14 was originally intended to fire the powerful .276 Enfield cartridge. War intervened and practicality won out, so the rifle was adapted to the familiar .303 British round. Because British industry was already stretched thin, production was handed off to American manufacturers, Winchester, Remington, and Eddystone, resulting in over a million rifles built across the Atlantic. Each maker left subtle differences, which only adds to the appeal for collectors today.

Although it never replaced the Short Magazine Lee Enfield as Britain’s primary infantry rifle, the P14 carved out a well earned reputation for strength and accuracy. It was heavier and slower to feed, but it was incredibly solid, and many shooters then and now consider it one of the most accurate rifles of the era. It is no surprise it was favoured as a sniper rifle in both world wars.

The design itself is fascinating. The action is large, smooth, and confidence inspiring, clearly descended from the Mauser system but refined with British ideas about rapid fire and ergonomics. Everything about it feels deliberate and robust, from the long bolt throw to the deep, well protected aperture sights. Pick one up and you immediately understand why people often describe it as being over engineered, in the best possible way.

For me, the P14 also has a personal pull. My uncle has a few examples, and I am genuinely looking forward to getting a proper look at them. Rifles like these are not just pieces of steel and wood. They are physical links to a period when military design was evolving rapidly under the pressure of global war. Seeing multiple P14s side by side, each with its own markings, wear, and character, is exactly the sort of thing that reminds you why collecting is so rewarding.

Officially declared obsolete in 1947, the P14 refused to fade quietly into history. Surplus rifles spread throughout the Commonwealth, where many were cherished by shooters and collectors alike. Today, the Pattern 1914 Enfield stands as one of the most interesting and visually striking bolt action service rifles ever produced. It may not have been the fastest or most practical, but it undeniably has style, substance, and soul.

Bought this book recently as I have enjoyed researching the rare New Zealand carbine in my possession. It really does have it all. Everything you need to know about anything to do with the production and many variations of Lee Enfield rifles is in this book.

This is an impressive book. It weighs 2kg and measures 30.5 × 22 × 3.5 cm. It cost a pretty penny. I was lucky to find it on eBay secondhand for about $130 AUD but they are going from around $150 to $200 usually.

The exterior is excellent. The heavier dust jacket feels sturdy and comfortable to hold, and the built-in red, white, and blue ribbon markers are a thoughtful and helpful touch.

Going through the book it starts with the opening chapter, which covers basic model identification, is new and very useful, especially for practical reference. Placing it at the front of the book was a smart decision.

The book then returns to the origins of the Lee-Enfield, detailing why it was developed and who was involved. This section is with more information on Lee himself

I’ve only begun reading in depth, so I won’t attempt a full chapter-by-chapter review However, even a brief flick through shows the wealth of knowledge this book has. With a lot of content, photographs, and extensive use of colour throughout. I’m very much looking forward to spending more time with it.

In short, this is the definitive work on the Lee-Enfield. It sets a new standard not only for books on this rifle, but for firearms reference books in general. I highly recommend it.

I have been researching the American civil war and some of the Defining Battles also infantry rifle used in the conflict.

It’s Over a hundred 160 years since the American civil war started, and raged for (4 long years, 1 month and 2 weeks) what a hell of a thing it must have been, so many casualties and lives lost.

While searching infantry rifle I came across the Remington 1863 which was of interest to me because 

I have a Armi Jager .58 cal Percussion rifle which I believe is a replica of the Remington 1863 rifle.

Also known as the “Zouave Rifle,.58-caliber muzzle loading 1863 Remington ,Although over 11,000 were manufactured, exactly who used them and how they acquired the name Zouave is a bit of a mysteries.The Zouaves were a class of light infantry regiments of the French Army serving from 1830 to 1962 so I am thinking the rifle might have got its name from that, (light infantry) but really not sure.

I stumbled across this information which I found very interesting.

While collectors have long referred to the Remington Zouave Rifle as the US Model 1863, information published by arms researcher and author George Moller indicates that the correct terminology is the Model 1862 Rifle. These 33” barreled percussion rifles are among the most attractive and best built of all the Civil War era US military long arms. In July of 1861, the US government contracted with the Remington Arms Company of Ilion, NY to produce 10,000 rifles of the Harper’s Ferry pattern, complete with brass handled saber bayonets for $20.00 each. The term Harper’s Ferry pattern during the period referred to either the Harper’s Ferry long-range altered Mississippi Rifle or the US Model 1855 rifle that had been in production at the rifle works in Harper’s Ferry prior to the burning of the armory and its subsequent capture by the Confederacy. In reality the rifle was a simplified and improved version of the US M1855 rifle. It eliminated the Maynard mechanical tape priming system and included older M1841 features like brass furniture and seven-groove rifling on some of the rifles, while others were rifled with the standard US three-groove rifling system. 

 Due to manufacturing delays, probably due to the tooling up process at the factory, Remington did not actually deliver any arms until April of 1863. While testifying before the Holt-Owens Commission in April of 1862, Remington requested that the contract be enlarged to 40,000 or 50,000 rifles and offered to reduce the per unit price from $20 to $17, complete with bayonet. The Ordnance Department agreed to a new contract for an additional 10,000 rifles in August of 1862, but it appears that this contract simply replaced the contract from 1861. Additional manufacturing delays prevented the last 2,500 rifles from the contract from being delivered before the contract expired. In order to receive these rifles, the Ordnance Department authorized a new contract in December of 1863 for 2,500 rifles. This allowed the guns to be delivered but has led to the misconception that Remington actually produced 12,500 rifles, when in fact they only delivered 10,001 between April of 1863 and January of 1864. All of the rifles were delivered to the Watervliet Arsenal in New York, but none were ever issued during the course of the war. All of the rifles were sold to Francis Bannerman & Company on August 8, 1907 for $0.54 each, having never seen any military service, and essentially becoming a footnote in Civil War military arms history. It is interesting that when the Centennial of the American Civil War brought Civil War re-enacting to a large number of new participants, it was the Remington “Zouave” that was chosen as the representative Civil War long arm to have reproduced for the new living historians. A truly ironic choice for those involved in a hobby that would be plagued with historical pitfalls and misconceptions from its very beginnings!