The standard British military sidearm cartridge through both World Wars. Chambered in the Webley top-break revolver — the most widely issued British officer's sidearm in history. Still manufactured by Fiocchi and PolyWad for the large collector market.
Type: Pistol
Introduced: 1887, United Kingdom
Parent case: None
Standardization: Obsolete / Non-standard
Bullet diameter: 0.455" (11.56 mm)
Case length: 0.77" (19.56 mm)
Overall length: 1.18" (29.97 mm)
Max pressure: 13,000 PSI
Rim type: Rimmed
Primer: Small Pistol
Typical twist rate: 1:20
Muzzle velocity: 600–700 fps
Muzzle energy: 175–288 ft-lbs
Effective range: 50 yd
Common bullet weights: 220, 265 gr
Primary use: Military, Self-Defense
Production status: Limited
Also known as: .455 Webley Revolver · .455 Eley · .455 Mk II · 11.6x19.3mmR
History: Adopted in 1887 for the Webley Mk I revolver, the .455 Webley became the defining British military pistol cartridge for 60 years. The Webley top-break revolver in .455 was issued to British and Commonwealth officers through the Boer War, WWI, and WWII. Trench warfare of WWI produced legendary accounts of Webley revolvers continuing to function under the most appalling mud and grime conditions…
Notable firearms: Webley Mk I–VI, Colt New Service (.455 contract), Smith & Wesson Hand Ejector (.455 contract)
Military use: {"country":"United Kingdom","years":"1887-1947","notes":"Standard British military sidearm cartridge through both World Wars; Webley Mk I through Mk VI revolvers"}, {"country":"British Commonwealth","years":"1887-1947","notes":"Canada, Australia, New Zealand, India — all British imperial forces"}
Similar cartridges: .45 ACP, .44 S&W Russian, .450 Adams