38 Mk.IV remained in service as a substitute standard weapon into the early 1960s. 455 Mk.VI was declared obsolete in 1945 but the. 38/200, remained in use through World War Two. However, wartime shortages ensured that all marks of the Webley, including models in. 38 inch calibre revolver, became the standard British service revolver. After 1921, however, Webley service revolvers were manufactured by the government-owned Royal Small Arms Factory in Enfield. Webley's revolvers became the official British sidearm in 1887, remaining in British service until 1964.
In 1897 Webley amalgamated with W & C Scott and Sons to become The Webley & Scott Revolver and Arms Company Ltd of Birmingham. The manufacture of revolvers, for which the firm became famous, began twenty years later. It was taken over in 1834 by his son-in-law, Philip Webley, who began producing percussion sporting guns. The Webley company was founded in the late 18th century by William Davies, who made bullet moulds.
