Webley RIC 1st Issue Second Model

The Webley RIC (Royal Irish Constabulary) model was Webley's first double-action revolver, and adopted by the RIC in 1868, hence the name.

It was a solid frame, gate-loaded revolver, chambered in .442 Webley. General George Armstrong Custer was known to have owned a pair, which he is believed to have used at the Battle of the Little Bighorn in 1876.

A small number of early examples were produced in the huge .500 Tranter calibre, and later models were available chambered for the .450 Adams and other cartridges.

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,

Second Pattern 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.

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.

Given the serial number is 567 suggests that this revolver was made in the first year of production.