Since the show first made an appearance on our screens in 2013, viewers have been enthralled with Thomas Shelby and the Peaky Blinders.

For anyone interested in historical weapons, or the 1920s and 30s in general, this show is a must! As you’d expect with any good gangsta drama, there are great shootouts, fight scenes and plenty of guns.

We take a look at one of the most famous guns of the series, along with the corresponding air pistols and airsoft replicas, so you can get a feel for the weapons favoured in the period.

The Guns of Peaky Blinders

The show is set in Birmingham after the first World War meaning many of the firearms you’ll see are surplus arms from the war, which would have been readily available and affordable during this time – ideal for up-and-coming gangsters.

There have been several eye-catching guns which have popped up since the drama first aired four years ago, including:

  • Lewis machine guns
  • Luger P08s
  • Smith & Wesson Victory Model revolvers
  • Various Webley guns, including the RIC and Bulldog
  • Colt M1911

Of course, there are various other guns used on the show, with more advanced guns appearing in later seasons.

However, one of the most popular guns to appear on the show is Thomas Shelby’s personal weapon, a Webley revolver.

The shadow of someone shooting a gun

Which Gun Does Thomas Shelby From Peaky Blinders Use?

In many episodes, Shelby uses a Webley .455 Mk VI revolver. Later seasons also see Thomas Shelby turn to the Colt M1911 for use as his personal weapon.

Webley & Scott, formerly Webley & Sons, was a manufacturer founded in Birmingham in 1790 – providing another connection to the Birmingham-based Peaky Blinders.

They produced handguns and long guns up to 1979 before switching to air pistol and air rifle production.

Real Steel Webley Revolvers

Webley Revolvers, in various marks, were used as a standard issue service pistol for the armed forces in the UK between 1887 and 1963.

As Thomas Shelby and his brothers served in the British army in WW1, it is no surprise that he would have such a gun in his possession, especially as the Mk VI was introduced in 1915 and adopted as the standard sidearm for British and Commonwealth troops.

The revolvers fired large .455 Webley cartridges, making them among the most powerful top-break revolvers ever produced. The Mk VI had a squared-off ‘target’ style grip, differing from the ‘bird-beak’ style of earlier marks and models, a six-inch barrel and removable front sight.

Webley & Scott manufactured the pistol until 1923 at Enfield Lock in London, turning out some 125,000 Mk’s between 1921 and 1926.

Though it was declared obsolete in 1932, the familiar .455 Mk VI was still the favoured sidearm of many British officers through WWII, with the last models retiring in 1947.

Webley Mk VI Air Pistol Replicas

If you’re here, you’re likely seeking a replica version of this classic gun to experience it for yourself!

We have several Webley air pistols and Webley Licenced Replicas in store, including an Mk VI replica – i.e. Thomas Shelby’s gun.

You can see that the Webley Mk VI replica air pistol provides the look of the real steel gun and is, in fact, built from the original blueprints, so it fires and ejects just like the real thing.

Webley Mk VI replica air pistol

Webley Mk VI Airsoft Replicas

And if you want to add a Webley replica to your airsoft repertoire, you’ll also find a 6mm BB Co2 powered pistol version of the Webley Mk VI service revolver.

Like the air gun, this is a full 1:1 scale replica that is weighted the same as the original. This kind of replica is ideal for airsoft players interested in WWI and those who take part in historically themed milsims.

Colt M1911 Replicas Air and Airsoft Guns

If you want to follow Thomas Shelby’s firearm journey, you may also be interested in the Colt M1911, which he starts using in season four.

We stock various Colt 1911 replicas from numerous brands including, Tokyo Marui, Umarex, Cybergun and more, with both airsoft and air gun options available. Browse the selection now to find a make that suits you!

 Colt 1911 replica gun

We stock various realistic replica airsoft pistols, rifles and air weapons based on iconic historical models, so if Thomas Shelby’s favourite isn’t for you, you’re bound to discover something that is.

Header image credit: Imfdb