Scotland Yard CID Service Revolvers?

[Wolfgang_Parker]

Hello!

I'm having a hard time finding any photographic reference for the model of pistol issued to officers of Scotland Yard's CID division during the Whitechapel murders. Any and all help would be greatly appreciated.

[Scott Nelson]

Pistols weren't invented then. Everyone who wanted to threaten somebody else had to wheel around a cannon or two.

[Ally]

I think Scott was being funny. Obviously pistols had been invented then, however, I think that as firearms were never a large part of the British police force, I don't think they carried them. Most of them don't carry firearms now.

[Simon Wood]

Hi All,

Police Firearms History [pfoa.co.uk]

"Historically, officers on night patrols in some London divisions were frequently armed with Webley revolvers. These were introduced following the murder of two officers in 1884, although individual officers were able to choose whether to carry the weapons. After the Battle of Stepney in 1911, Webley semi-automatics were issued to officers, armed police were rare by the turn of the century, and were retired formally in July 1936. From that point on, firearms could only be issued by a Sergeant with good reason, and only then to officers who had been trained in their usage."

Hope it helps.

Regards,

Simon

[Wolfgang_Parker]

Pistols weren't invented then. Everyone who wanted to threaten somebody else had to wheel around a cannon or two.

I had pondered dressing the police in pith helmets and monocles, and giving them bluderbusses, but I want to avoid too much slap-stick in my story.

[Wolfgang_Parker]

I think Scott was being funny. Obviously pistols had been invented then, however, I think that as firearms were never a large part of the British police force, I don't think they carried them. Most of them don't carry firearms now.

Thank you, Ally. Indeed, as far as I know, service pistols were rarely carried. However, for the story I am writing I have the CID officers carrying them, and since I get bothered by firearm inaccuracies in fiction, I wanted to see if I could nail down the model that the Yard issued.

Of course, I could always go the Hollywood route and give them Tek-9 automatics.

[Wolfgang_Parker]

Hi All,

Police Firearms History [pfoa.co.uk]

"Historically, officers on night patrols in some London divisions were frequently armed with Webley revolvers. These were introduced following the murder of two officers in 1884, although individual officers were able to choose whether to carry the weapons. After the Battle of Stepney in 1911, Webley semi-automatics were issued to officers, armed police were rare by the turn of the century, and were retired formally in July 1936. From that point on, firearms could only be issued by a Sergeant with good reason, and only then to officers who had been trained in their usage."

Hope it helps.

Regards,

Simon

Thank you, Simon! This is a great help! Just did some reading about the Webley--if anyone is interested. It was .455 caliber (or a modern .38), and could actually be converted to fire .45 caliber rounds with a little retooling. Although from the looks of the monster, I wouldn't want the powder burns. Cool looking revolver though!

[Ally]

Fairly sure Webley weren't available during the Whitechapel murders.

[Wolfgang_Parker]

Fairly sure Webley weren't available during the Whitechapel murders.

Could be, but according to the Webley Revolver Wikipedia entry, the Webley was designed, produced, and in service beginning in 1887. They might have been brand new to London police in 1888.

[Simon Wood]

Hi All,



Regards,

Simon

[Ally]

For the military. Don't know about the cop on the street.

[The Grave Maurice]

Ally is seldom wrong when it comes to questions of packin' heat. We know that Dr Watson had a Webley but he, of course, was ex-mil.

[Supe]

Wolfgang,

It was .455 caliber (or a modern .38),

Say what? A .455 caliber was just that, .455 of an inch bore diameter, and .38 caliber is roughly .38 of an inch.

I had one for a while out of Holmesian interest. Recoil wasn't actually bad at all nor did it spew much powder. Finding ammunition was a bit difficult, though, so I swapped it years ago.

Don

[Harry the Hawker]

period revolvers

A little more detail (& some photos) from good old wikipedia.

I have heard the Royal Irish Constabulary revolver was quite popular (on both sides of the law) during this period.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Webley_Revolver

[ChrisGeorge]

Pistols weren't invented then. Everyone who wanted to threaten somebody else had to wheel around a cannon or two.

Hi Scott

Tell that one to John Wilkes Booth.

Chris