Original Item: Only One Available. The Webley Royal Irish Constabulary revolver is a British double-action, centerfire cartridge revolver designed in 1867. It was one of the earliest British breechloading revolvers and one of the most popular British revolvers of the 19th century. 

British gunmaker Philip Webley and Son of Birmingham produced their first cap lock revolvers, known as Webley Longspurs, in 1853 with limited success, due to the popularity of the already established Adams revolvers. Taking lead in the new centerfire metal cartridge technology, they produced their first breechloading, centerfire cartridge revolvers in 1867. They immediately became popular with British Army officers, who at the time were expected to purchase their own personal weapons (swords and pistols) on their own expense, as very robust, compact and reliable weapons. They were the first popular Webley product that made the firm famous. Due to their quality, they remained in production for more than 30 years.

In 1868, the Royal Irish Constabulary was formed as a paramilitary force armed with carbines and revolvers. As the Webley revolver was adopted as their first service weapon, that specific model was known after that as the Royal Irish Constabulary revolver. This continued after 1884, when Webley merged with W.&C. Scott & Son and Richard Ellis & Son to become the firm of Webley & Scott. This amalgamated firm continued to produce various "Webley" style revolvers in different configurations well into the second world war.

Here is a lovely R.I.C. No.1 Revolver, a solid frame design, marked on the top of the cylinder strap with the retailer information:

This is a well known retailer that operated in both Great Britain and the Indian Subcontinent, supplying the British military as well as the public. The left side of the revolver is marked with the model and maker information:

The revolver is fitted with a 4 ½ inch barrel, correct for the larger R.I.C. No.1 revolver, which is marked on the left side with small CROWN / CROSSED SCEPTERS / B P C "black powder proof" and CROWN / CROSSED SCEPTERS / V "viewed" marks from the city of Birmingham. Below the model designation is the "Winged Bullet" over W & S logo of Webley & Scott, and below this is serial number 85252, which according to serial number records indicates manufacture in 1889. There is the number 7102 on the right side of the frame, which we do not know the meaning of. The cylinder takes 6 cartridges, and is marked with small CROWN / CROSSED SCEPTERS / V "viewed" markings on each flute. There is also shortened number 252 on the rear, along with a number 2.

The revolver operates in both Double Action and Single Action, and the wood grip is fully checkered. Folding side gate on the right hand side provides access to the chambers for ejection and reloading using the attached ejection rod. Overall condition is very good, still retaining the original bluing in many areas, though it definitely does look to have seen a good amount of use judging by the wear to the sides. The lanyard ring is still present, and the grip is in good shape, still retaining strong checkering.

The action works very well, and we did not notice any finicky behavior in either double or single action, just a bit of slop in the lockup. The bore is in very good condition, showing clear lands and grooves with a mostly bright finish. There are a few spots of oxidation and fouling, but overall it's really a great bore for a black powder cartridge revolver. The revolver breaks down correctly, with the only issue being that the retaining screw for the ejector rod is missing, so the rod can be removed.

In fine working condition with metalwork mostly turned to a mottled grey and all markings crisp. "A CLASSIC", ready to research and display!

Specifications: 

Year of Manufacture: circa 1889
Caliber:  .476 Enfield / Eley
Ammunition Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Overall Length: 9 ½ inches
Barrel Length: 4 ½ inches
Action: External Hammer Double/Single Action
Feed System: 6 Shot Revolver

More on the Webley Royal Irish Constabulary Revolvers:
Webley R.I.C. revolver No 1
Designed in 1867 for .442 centerfire cartridge, it was one of the earliest British breechloading revolvers. Solid frame revolver, with a round barrel screwed into the frame, and a one piece wooden grip held by two vertical screws. The foresight is slotted in, mostly semi-round, while the backsight is a long, V-shaped groove on the top strap above the cylinder. It has a loading gate hinged at the bottom that opens sideways, held by a flat spring. The six cambered cylinder is plain in the early models, while in later ones it was fluted to achieve a small reduction in weight. The ejector rod is mounted on a yoke (swivel) under the barrel and mostly housed in the hollow cylinder arbor, so it can be pulled out and swung to the right when needed. When the ejector rod is drawn out, the cylinder may be removed after drawing the arbor forward. The revolver has a double-action lock, with a half-cock position for loading.

These revolvers were made in a variety of calibers, but no less than .410 in (10.4 mm). They were widely used all over the British Empire, and copied in various European countries. In 1872, a pocket model (.442 in) with a 2.5 in barrel was produced, which was the precursor of the famous British Bulldog revolvers.

Webley R.I.C. revolver No 2
Produced from 1872, slightly smaller (8.25 in length, 3.5 in barrel) and lighter (0.76 kg) model, with the same overall characteristics. They were made in a variety of calibers, from .320 and .380 to .450. Service revolvers were six-shot, but smaller commercial 5-shot variants were also very popular.

Service history
These revolvers were massively used by British officers and horsemen in the Anglo-Zulu War (1879). Practical use in combat showed that they were mostly effective on the distance of less than 25 yards.