Welrod

Welrod
Welrod 9mm Mk I
TypePistol
Place of originUnited Kingdom
Service history
WarsWorld War II, Vietnam War, Falklands War, The Troubles, Desert Storm
Production history
DesignerInter-Services Research Bureau
Designed1942
ManufacturerBSA; unnamed other manufacturers
ProducedWorld War II and onwards
No. builtaround 14,000[1]
VariantsWelrod Mk I; Welrod Mk IIA
Specifications
Barrel length3.25 in (83 mm)

Calibre.32 ACP (Mk II) / 9×19mm Parabellum (Mk I)
Effective firing range25 yd (23 m) (Day)
7–8 yd (6.4–7.3 m) (Night)
Feed system6-round (9x19 Parabellum); 8-round (.32 ACP)

The Welrod is a British bolt-action, magazine-fed, suppressed pistol devised during the Second World War by Major Hugh Reeves at the Inter-Services Research Bureau (later Station IX). Station IX, being based in Welwyn, gave the Welrod its unusual name, being derived from "Wel" from "Welwyn" (a prefix used by covert equipment designed by Station IX) and "rod", gangland slang for gun, as a way to obscure its purpose.[1]

Designed for use by irregular forces and resistance groups, the Welrod is an extremely quiet gun thanks to its integrated suppressor. Approximately 2,800 were made in wartime and perhaps 14,000 in total when post-war examples are included.[1]

  1. ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference FW was invoked but never defined (see the help page).