Ned, et al.
With respect to the British War Department military-issue Webley revolvers, we worded the specific GAF provision so that any version up to and including the Mark V is considered acceptable as a GAF main match gun. The Mark IV (adopted in 1899) is just within the "Victorian" timeframe ..... although most revolvers of that model were produced in the 20th Century. However, without having reference to the markings, the Mark V (1913) is virtually indistinguishable from a Mark II, Mark III or Mark IV - the primary differences related to relatively minor modifications, upgrades in steel quality and, finally, a slight thickening of the cylinder walls to better handle smokeless loads - and thus the outward appearance and basic functioning changed very little. Accordingly, on my recommendation the Mark V is deemed acceptable as well. The only military-issue .455 Webley model not "legal" for main match use in GAF (but OK for Era of Expansion shooting) is the Mark VI, adopted in 1915. It is significantly different in appearance from the five earlier versions, so couldn't really be included with the Mark V.
Here is an image comparing a Mark I (1887, note the rounded hump on the upper gripframe - only the Mark I had that), Mark II (1895), and Mark III (1897) -
To illustrate what I mean about the Mark V being pretty much the same as the MKII through IV revolvers, this is my own Mark V revolver, which saw service in Australia:
The inset in the above image shows the markings on the frame ahead of the cylinder - Q/|\G on the left side (denoting Queensland Government ownership) and Q/|\P on the right side (Queensland Police).
All of these earlier models had a birdshead grip shape and a 4" barrels as standard, whereas the Mark VI had a more "modern looking" flared grip configuration, a noticeably different front sight profile and a 6" barrel as standard -
The above summary relates only to
military-issue Webley revolvers - i.e. supplied by the War Department for the use of Other Ranks (enlisted personnel) deemed to require a handgun. Of course, the primary users of revolvers were actually Officers, who were required to supply all of their own kit (including weapons) at personal expense. Although some officers did purchase commercially marketed versions of the official War Department "issue" models, they were in fact permitted considerable leeway with respect to their handguns. Webley had quite a range of other revolver designs over the years and, other than the small Bulldog-type "pocket revolvers", officers purchased and used most of these models.
Here are some of my examples of these other types, all of which pre-date 1898 .....
RIC (Royal Irish Constabulary) New Model, a solid-frame design - 
Webley No. 4 (a.k.a. Webley-Pryse) Model, the first break-action Webley design -
Webley WG Army Model -
Webley WG Target Model -
Finally, there were earlier official War Department issue models of cartridge revolvers - the Adams Mark I, Mark II and Mark III .... and the Enfield Mark I and Mark II. Also, although Webley was undoubtedly the predominant handgun manufacturer in Britain, the designs and products of other manufacturers (Adams, Tranter, etc.) also saw extensive use by officers.
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