item details
NameRevolver, 'R.I.C. No. 1', .455 calibre.
ProductionWestley Richards; manufacturer(s); circa 1900; United Kingdom
Classificationrevolvers, firearms
Materialssteel, wood, brass, leather
DimensionsOverall: 40mm (width), 160mm (height), 220mm (length)
Registration NumberDM000606
Credit lineGift of New Zealand Police, 1966-74
Overview
This revolver is on display at Te Papa in Gallipoli: The scale of our war.
It is an ' R.I.C. No. 1' revolver. The initials stand for the 'Royal Irish Constabulary', the police force that maintained law and order in Ireland under British rule.
These revolvers were first made by the Birmingham firm of P. Webley & Sons in 1867 and were used by the R.I.C. the next year. This example was made by the Liverpool firm of Westley Richards. They were not officially adopted for service in New Zealand as officers' 'sidearms' although some military and Police officers did purchase them privately.