NZAR # 378 Webley RIC No 1 Revolver

NZART ID:378,   Arm Type: Pistol,            Date of Draft: (V1) 15 January 2013,       Compiled by: Phil Cregeen

Pattern:  Revolver, Webley  RIC No 1 & No 1 New Model, Introduced in to NZ Service: 1870, Withdrawn: End of WWII

Maker: P Webley & Son, Weaman Street, Birmingham. Also copied by the English, Belgium and French gun trade.

Calibres: .442”, .450”, .476”, 320”, 380”,   Bore:  5 groove RH twist.   Barrel length: 4.5 in., OA Length: 9.0 in.      

Type of Action: Solid frame, double action, six shot,   Weight: 1 lb 14 oz.

Sights: foresight blade & U groove in frame,       Ammunition: .476  lead bullet 265 grain and 18 grains black powder

RIC No 1 First Pattern

                   

                                                               RIC No 1 Second Pattern                                                                             

Introduced in 1867 this revolver was adopted the following year by the Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC) and from then on was known as the RIC model. It was purchased by many colonial police forces and became famous all over the world and remained in production for nearly 60 years. A 6 shot solid frame revolver with 4.5 inch ovate barrel, plain cylinder, side loading gate and swivel ejector rod on the RHS and one piece walnut grip with lanyard ring. It was initially made in .442 calibre, but also later in a range of British (.320 to .476)   and American calibres (.45 Colt and .44 UMC).   On the first pattern of RIC the ejector rod was housed in a collar that swivelled around the barrel, in the late 1870s this was changed to a swivel screwed to the front of the frame and the rod has an acorn shaped end, this became the Second Pattern.  A further change was introduced in 1881 with the adoption of the Enfield Mk II cartridge (.476), this included a fluted chamber and was designated RIC No 1 New Model.

                                                               RIC No 1 New Model    

                       

Markings: Typically marked on the LHS of the frame with Webley Logo, Webley RIC No 1, calibre and serial No.

New Zealand service: RIC revolvers were purchased privately by some Officers and NCOs and also by Police Forces in New Zealand.  For military service they would have been in .450, .455/.476 calibre to take service ammunition, for Police service often smaller calibres were used. RIC revolvers were never officially adopted for military service although they were called up for the Home Guard in WW II.

Acknowledgements: John Osborne

Reference:                Webley Revolvers by G Bruce & C Reinhart