MODEL I
Preceding any successful invention there are always one or several prototypes, as is the case with the Welrod pistol. The following is a brief description of the Welrod's predecessor, the Model-1.


(Photo - Anders Thygesen courtesy of the Royal Armouries)


(Photo - Anders Thygesen courtesy of the Royal Armouries)

One of the more notable differences is found in the bolt action, a conventional reloading mechanism similar to that of the Mauser K98. The bolt itself has been tilted in a further downward angle, placing it snugly to the side of the pistol in order to prevent it from snagging on the operator´s clothing. The difference in the trigger also distinctly stands out as it is positioned on the left side of the pistol and therefore must be activated with a forward movement of the thumb.


(Photo - Anders Thygesen courtesy of the Royal Armouries)

Unfortunately this results in the loss of an otherwise relatively good grip on the pistol at the moment of trigger activation. The last major difference has to do with the magazine. It is made from sheet metal and doubly functions as the pistols grip, though noticeably shorter than on the later Mk II and furthermore here, an integrated part of the pistol thus not removable. This means that the pistol had to be loaded from the top and with the breech open, as with e.g. the Mauser C96. The double stack magazine holds 5 rounds of calibre .32 ACP.


The double stack magazine holds 5 rounds of calibre .32 ACP. (Photo - Courtesy of the Royal Armouries)


(Photo - Anders Thygesen courtesy of the Royal Armouries)

On the aesthetical side, the main difference is probably that the suppressor is not carried through the length of the pistol, which makes for a somewhat clumsy and disharmonic design. Generally the design was met with satisfaction, but the fact that the pistol had to be loaded from the top, the clumsy bolt-action system, the reduced grip upon trigger activation and the disproportionate size of the pistol grip all combined to lead to redesign of the construction around March 1943, ending with the model we know today as the Welrod Mk II.


Close-up of trigger mechanism. (Photo - Courtesy of the Royal Armouries)

In November 1942 on behalf of the Chief of Combined Operations (CCO) and Capt. Sykes a number of examples were made and tested the following month. After the trials it was decided to manufacture 500 for stock at Station XII. If this order was actually executed before the Mk.II went into production, I have been unable to determine.