1901 Webley .38 Cal info

mattyh · June 11, 2018, 11:11 PM

G'Day folks,

I am trying to find out info for a relative on this revolver he has

He states it’s a 1901 Webley .38 calibre Royal Irish Constabulary "British Bulldog", has a 5 round cylinder, 4" nickel plated barrel and wooden handle.

I have tried google to no avail, I can find out about the 6 round Webley, but not the 5.

I was wondering if any of you knowledgeable people know anything about this particular revolver.

Thanks in advance

RJay · June 12, 2018, 12:10 AM

I do believe we are going to need pictures, However, if has British Bulldog rollmarked on it, it is not a British gun, If it is nickel plated it is not a Webley RIC unless it was plated after market.

mattyh · June 12, 2018, 12:23 AM

Thanks, I'll try and get some photos up in the next week.

T. O'Heir · June 12, 2018, 01:01 PM

"...it is no a British gun..." Could be. Webley made .38(may be .38 S&W) Bulldogs, but didn't mark 'em. Absolutely would not be marked 'British' if sold to the RIC.
Mind you, everybody, his brother and all his cousins made a copy or variant of the Bulldog.

Bob Wright · June 12, 2018, 01:38 PM

My guess would be Iver Johnson or Forehand & Wadsworth.

Bob Wright

RickB · June 12, 2018, 02:34 PM

"British Bulldog" is about as specific as "cowboy gun"; could be just about anything.
RICs did have some plated small parts.

RJay · June 12, 2018, 04:19 PM

Mr. T O Heir Is correct, No Webley was ever marked " British Bulldog " and certainly no Webley RIC revolver. The name British Bulldog was used by Forehand and Wadsworth, Johnson and Bye and several Belgium firms, never by Webley

Every one in the world called the large frame, large caliber, short barrel guns British Bulldogs except the British, I guess they just called them big honking short barrel guns', Webley made a smaller frame gun in 320 and 380, both based on the Colt 32 and 38 Cartridges and later of course Webley chambered their revolvers in plain 38 S&W and the 38/200 S&W cartridge ( same cartridge, different bullets ) Which in the US we called the Super Police Load. none of those loads were offered in the RIC

RJay · June 13, 2018, 01:49 PM

mattyn, I hope you come back and post pictures, I'm really curious on what you have

Lavan · June 13, 2018, 08:02 PM

It wouldn't be a Webley but if it is, then 38 S&W should work fine.

https://thefiringline.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=375088

mattyh · July 15, 2018, 11:11 PM

Finally got around to getting some pics, will post up when I get home.
Definatley has Webley RIC engraved in it
Serial Number is either 51522 or 51528 (its a bit faded)
There is also another number stamped below the Webley RIC stmp
Says No2 380CF
And is definatley a 5 round cylinder.The barrel is also smooth on the outside (no indents around where the rounds go in)
Pictures up in a few hours.

June 11, 2018, 11:11 PM	#1
mattyh Junior Member Join Date: June 11, 2018 Posts: 3	1901 Webley .38 Cal info G'Day folks, I am trying to find out info for a relative on this revolver he has He states it’s a 1901 Webley .38 calibre Royal Irish Constabulary "British Bulldog", has a 5 round cylinder, 4" nickel plated barrel and wooden handle. I have tried google to no avail, I can find out about the 6 round Webley, but not the 5. I was wondering if any of you knowledgeable people know anything about this particular revolver. Thanks in advance

June 12, 2018, 12:10 AM	#2
RJay Senior Member Join Date: November 2, 2005 Location: Arizona Posts: 1,936	I do believe we are going to need pictures, However, if has British Bulldog rollmarked on it, it is not a British gun, If it is nickel plated it is not a Webley RIC unless it was plated after market. __________________ Ron James Last edited by RJay; June 12, 2018 at 04:33 PM.

June 12, 2018, 01:01 PM	#4
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	"...it is no a British gun..." Could be. Webley made .38(may be .38 S&W) Bulldogs, but didn't mark 'em. Absolutely would not be marked 'British' if sold to the RIC. Mind you, everybody, his brother and all his cousins made a copy or variant of the Bulldog. __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

June 12, 2018, 01:38 PM	#5
Bob Wright Senior Member Join Date: July 10, 2012 Location: Memphis, Tennessee Posts: 2,989	My guess would be Iver Johnson or Forehand & Wadsworth. Bob Wright __________________ Time spent at the reloading bench is an investment in contentment.

June 12, 2018, 02:34 PM	#6
RickB Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2000 Location: Boise, ID Posts: 8,518	"British Bulldog" is about as specific as "cowboy gun"; could be just about anything. RICs did have some plated small parts. __________________ Runs off at the mouth about anything 1911 related on this site and half the time is flat out wrong.

June 12, 2018, 12:23 AM	#3
mattyh Junior Member Join Date: June 11, 2018 Posts: 3	Thanks, I'll try and get some photos up in the next week.

June 12, 2018, 04:19 PM	#7
RJay Senior Member Join Date: November 2, 2005 Location: Arizona Posts: 1,936	Mr. T O Heir Is correct, No Webley was ever marked " British Bulldog " and certainly no Webley RIC revolver. The name British Bulldog was used by Forehand and Wadsworth, Johnson and Bye and several Belgium firms, never by Webley Every one in the world called the large frame, large caliber, short barrel guns British Bulldogs except the British, I guess they just called them big honking short barrel guns', Webley made a smaller frame gun in 320 and 380, both based on the Colt 32 and 38 Cartridges and later of course Webley chambered their revolvers in plain 38 S&W and the 38/200 S&W cartridge ( same cartridge, different bullets ) Which in the US we called the Super Police Load. none of those loads were offered in the RIC __________________ Ron James Last edited by RJay; June 13, 2018 at 12:45 PM.

June 13, 2018, 01:49 PM	#8
RJay Senior Member Join Date: November 2, 2005 Location: Arizona Posts: 1,936	mattyn, I hope you come back and post pictures, I'm really curious on what you have __________________ Ron James

June 13, 2018, 08:02 PM	#9
Lavan Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 1999 Location: California Posts: 2,716	It wouldn't be a Webley but if it is, then 38 S&W should work fine. https://thefiringline.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=375088

July 15, 2018, 11:11 PM	#10
mattyh Junior Member Join Date: June 11, 2018 Posts: 3	Finally got around to getting some pics, will post up when I get home. Definatley has Webley RIC engraved in it Serial Number is either 51522 or 51528 (its a bit faded) There is also another number stamped below the Webley RIC stmp Says No2 380CF And is definatley a 5 round cylinder.The barrel is also smooth on the outside (no indents around where the rounds go in) Pictures up in a few hours.