.380 inch Revolver

The origins of the.380 inch stem from a desire after WWI for a lighter revolver than the .455 inch Webley Mark VI the in service. In late 1921 Webley & Scott Ltd submitted a .380 inch revolver to the Small Arms Committee which was considered of sufficient interest to warrant a trial. There were concerns about the stopping power of the lighter calibre but the trial was carried out using "Trade" pattern cartridges with a 200 grain bullet and results were encouraging.

In 1923 the SAC recommended that ammunition designs be prepared and Woolwich manufactured 2,000 rounds for further trials. Trials had shown that for accuracy, a 145 grain bullet was ideal but a 200 grain design was retained due to its increased lethality.

Trials continued in 1927 with six revolvers manufactured at Enfield and with government ammunition. This ammunition was not completely satisfactory and when in 1928 it was shot against Kynoch made rounds the latter was found to be superior.

A larger troop trial took place in 1930 with seventy six revolvers and 20,000 rounds of ammunition made by Kynoch and as a result the "Revolver .380 inch No.2" was approved for sevice. It generall became known as the ".380 inch Enfield".

The adoption of the revolver and its manufacture at RSAF Enfield without any recognition of the original design by Webley & Scott Ltd caused considerable friction between Webley and the government which continued for a number of years.

Later in WW2 and post war the round was used in Smith & Wesson and colt revolvers.