.38 Webley - Cdn Police
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BlackPowderBurner
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Winnipeg Police as late as the 1960's.
Calgary City Police Force uniform issue up to mid to late 1970s.
Also known then as "wobbly Webleys", and some were definitely badly worn and wobbly, but the one I was lucky (?) enough have issued in 1969 was in quite good condition.
Also known then as "wobbly Webleys", and some were definitely badly worn and wobbly, but the one I was lucky (?) enough have issued in 1969 was in quite good condition.
Friend of mine has a great story of a constable showing up for qualifications and pulling his Webley out of the holster in two pieces. How long had it been in two pieces? Sometime since last qualifications. Different times in policing I guess when you never drew your gun except for quals...
WPD had a policy of allowing personally owned firearms to be carried as long as they were .38 special, 6 shot S&W or Colt revolvers. Many members purchased their own guns rather than carry the wobbly Webley. Most of the smaller suburban departments that were brought in by amalgamation in 1970's had issued S&W revolvers and these were "inherited" by WPD.
Once the decision was made by the Calgary City Police Force to transition away from Webleys and before any decision on a replacement revolver was made, the brass made an 'anything goes - within reason' unwritten policy allowing personally owned sidearms to be carried, but they supposedly had to fit the issued uniform flap holsters. This was in effect for about 12 months or so up to when the chosen S&W 4" Model 10 .38 Specials started to be issued to uniform members.
In the interim, needless to say, quite a few holsters were 'slightly modified' or replaced, and I saw many instances of various Colt and S&W revolvers being carried, along with more exotic pieces such as Browning Hi-Powers, Lugers, various 1911 Colts including one with a nickel finish and pearl grips, and even one broomhandle Mauser. I personally carried my S&W 6" K-38.
In the interim, needless to say, quite a few holsters were 'slightly modified' or replaced, and I saw many instances of various Colt and S&W revolvers being carried, along with more exotic pieces such as Browning Hi-Powers, Lugers, various 1911 Colts including one with a nickel finish and pearl grips, and even one broomhandle Mauser. I personally carried my S&W 6" K-38.
