Archives: File #681052
Subject: Jack Harkness’s Webley MK IV revolver (It was a pain getting this away from Jack long enough to catalog it. Really, you’d think I took the man’s child away from him. – I.J.)
Classification: Weapon
Manufacturers: Webley & Scott
Year Designed: 1932
Production Began: 1932
Production Ended: 1978
Country Of Origin: Great Britain
Weapon Type: Service Revolver
Caliber: .38/200
Overall Length: 10.25 inches
Barrel Length: 5 inches
Weight: 2.4 lbs when unloaded
Magazine/ Cylinder capacity: Six-shot
Maximum Effective Range: 50 yards
Cyclic Rate: 30 rounds per minute
Brief History:
At the end of the First World War, the British military decided that the Webley.455 caliber gun and cartridge was too large for modern military use and after numerous tests and extensive trials discovered that a pistol in .38 caliber firing a 200-grain (13 g) bullet would be just as effective as the .455 for stopping the approaching enemy.
The 38 is identical in appearance to the original Webley though smaller in scale. (Note: No, Jack, I won’t make the comment of ‘it’s not the size that counts, it’s how you use it’. This is going in the archives, not in my diary. – I.J)
The internal appearance of the gun is closer in appearance to the Webley MK III, whose design was modified more for police/civilian use than military.
Due to having a more effective cartridge, the .38/200 became the standard issue British sidearm cartridge in 1932. Due to it’s effectiveness, it remained the standard sidearm used by the Royal Air Force and other British Military Branches until the 1960’s due to a supply shortage.
Comments: It’s unclear if Jack was issued this gun or stole it. Or if it just came with a coat. With Jack, it’s a well kept secret. Though there are more efficient guns out in the market now, this is still the preferred choice of the Captain. (Note: Personally, I think it’s just to keep up appearances with his fashion sense.- I.J)
Known users:
Captain Jack Harkness
Captain John Hart (seen briefly in “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang”)
Doctor Owen Harper (seen briefly in “Dead Man Walking”)