Welrod
| Welrod | |
|---|---|
Welrod 9mm Mk I | |
| Type | Integrally suppressed pistol |
| Place of origin | United Kingdom |
| Service history | |
| Wars | World War II, Vietnam War, Falklands War, The Troubles, Desert Storm |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Inter-Services Research Bureau |
| Designed | 1942 |
| Manufacturer | BSA; unnamed other manufacturers |
| Produced | World War II and onwards |
| No. built | around 14,000 |
| Variants | Welrod Mk I (Prototype), Welrod Mk II / IIA (.32 ACP) Welrod Mk I (9mm) |
| Specifications | |
| Barrel length | 3.25 in (83 mm) |
| Calibre | .32 ACP (Mk I, II/IIA) / 9×19mm Parabellum (9mm Mk I) |
| Action | Bolt action |
| Effective firing range | 25 yd (23 m) (Day) 7–8 yd (6.4–7.3 m) (Night) |
| Feed system | 6-round (9x19 Parabellum); 8-round (.32 ACP) |
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The Welrod is a British bolt-action, magazine-fed pistol with an integrated silencer that was devised for covert operations during the Second World War by Major Hugh Reeves at the Inter-Services Research Bureau (later Station IX).
Station IX is based in Welwyn, and gave the Welrod its unusual name. It is 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.
The Welrod is designed for use by irregular forces and resistance groups, and is an extremely quiet gun due to its integrated silencer. Approximately 2,800 were made in wartime and perhaps 14,000 in total when post-war examples are included.