The Welrod silent pistol

Very little is known about this pistol, which more resembles a repeating rifle than a pistol if you look at the mechanism. The first prototypes were called Model I.

A number of examples were made and tested In November 1942 on behalf of the Chief of Combined Operations (CCO) and Capt. Sykes. Captain Sykes was also know from the Fairbairn-Sykes Fighting knife.

A number of test examples were evaluated the following months. These tests resulted in what we know as Mk II. 500 were ordered for Station XII Very soon the production changed to Mk II which you can see here on the pictures.

A manual from 1943 explains the technique to shoot with this pistol: For these deliberate shot, extreme accuracy is required. It can only be obtained by correct trigger squeeze, that is by gradual squeeze of the whole hand. With training and practice it will be found quite possible to get very accurate groups at the distances mentioned. The gun should be held with the thumb and forefinger as close up to the muzzle as possible, the pistol grip being held by the right hand no harder than is necessary to compress the safety catch. For standing shots, the left elbow should be held as close in to the body as possible.

Above the single shot Welrod Mk IIA pistol in 7,65 mm Browning (32 ACP)

The pistol is equipped with a permanent silencer. The bolt has to be twisted and pulled back for each shot like a bolt action rifle. This eliminates the mechanical sound to a minimum. The gun is very silent. One of these was used by Reidar Nielsen on an operation in Norway towards a radar station. This pistol has been used in Norway. Below the Welrod Mk IIA pistol with open bolt.

This Welrod was made by BSA GUNS Ltd. in England in the later part of 1943 and has a matching serial number of the gun and the magazine 43xx. It is marked with the typical 5 corned star.

For more information about Welrod guns we recommend Anders Thygesens excellent article in Guns Review or his website http://www.timelapse.dk/welrod.php

There are some unconfirmed reports about Welrod guns used during both during the Falklands War and Operation Desert Storm

Odds and ends.

The Sleeve Gun

This is only a copy of the Sleeve gun.

Courtesy of Richard Karlsson

There are not many guns existing of this gun. It was like the Welrod Mk II also made by BSA GUNS Ltd. in England. This weapon appeared very late during WW2. It is not known if any of these actually were ever used in a combat situation. Some found their way to Norway. Sleeve gun with serial No 8 can be seen in Bergenhus Festningsmuseeum in Norway. It exists in the S.O.E. catalogue: Descriptive Catalogue Of Special Devices And Supplies, Product No. N 254. There it was written: The gun is intended for use in contact with the target, but may be used at ranges up to about three yards; the silencing element cannot be removed for replacement since the gun is not intended for prolonged use.