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Amongst Sherlockian scholars the model of Dr. Watson's revolver is an issue which has provoked some debate and produced a number of different opinions. In all the stories of Conan Doyle, Watson's gun is never specifically identified by name or calibre and even its dimensions are uncertain. The only substantive comment is a reference to an "Eley's No. 2" in The Adventure of the Speckled Band. With Eley manufacturing ammunition rather than handguns this is not a helpful identifier.

While there is no consensus, opinion splits into two camps - single gun or "multi-gun." There is a general belief that Watson (and Holmes) used Webley revolvers (S. A. Shalet, C. A. Meyer, G. James, etc.) in various marks. Suggestions include the Webley No. 2 .320-bore and the Webley No. 4 (Webley-Pryce). Both would require rather capacious pockets and other scholars contend that, while Watson had a revolver from his army service, he used a more handy weapon during his time with Holmes.

The revolver Dr. Watson was issued for his army service has been variously identified. Watson was wounded in the Battle of Maiwand, which took place in July 1880, before being invalided home to London; the standard officer's sidearm at the time was a solid-frame Adams revolver. Baring-Gould and other scholars have narrowed that to an Adams Model 1872 Mark III — the standard of the 1870s. Others have posited different sidearms that were also 'in circulation' at the time, such as an Adams Mark II (G. James), a Tranter .455, or Adams Centre-fire (H. Curjel). Dr. Watson's revolver during his time with Holmes has been stated as a Webley CPM, a Webley Metro-Police, a Webley "Bullpup" or, later, a Webley Hammerless Model 1898.