Armed pilots?

[Kongo-Otto]

Originally Posted by MB_Avro_UK

And sailors weren't issued with hand guns.

Well yes and no, there was always a certain amount of Rifles and/or Pistols on board of a ship, for Guard Duties etc.

For example this one was issued to the Royal Navy:
Webley & Scott Pistol Self-Loading .455 Mk.I N (N=Naval)

these pistols were used by the Royal Navy during WW1 and WW2, as well as being issued in small numbers to the Royal Flying Corps and Royal Horse Artillery during WW1. The RN discontinued their use shortly after the end of WWII.
There was also a Version Webley & Scott Pistol Self-Loading .455 Mk.I D(D= Dominion) which was issued to the Royal Australian Navy in about 500 pieces.
The Model D is even rarer as an collectors item then the N Version.

Also issued to the Royal Navy, Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Horse Artillery was an US Produced Model of the Colt M1911 in .455 Webley
The remainig guns were transfered after WW1 to the Royal Air Force which used them in limited Numbers until the end of WW2.


And here is a example of an RAF issued web belt shoulder holster for an Webley Service Revolver.
Its stamps are marked AM which stands for Air Minstery