The .455 version was adopted by the Royal Navy in 1912 as the first automatic pistol in British service.

[2] While principally issued as sidearms there was some intent that they be used to shoot other planes.

[2] The pistol's original cordite cartridge left a lot of residue in the barrel causing frequent jamming.

Had Webley invested in more research and development of its pistol and ammunition and new technologies, the result would have been a better firearm produced more quickly.

Particularly given the increasing adoption of the semi-automatic pistol by foreign armed forces and the extensive testing and development data available from previous efforts by other manufacturers.