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LOT 363 Excellent Webley-Fosbery Model 1903 Automatic Revolver - Serial no. 2212, 455
Webley cal., 6 inch solid rib bbl., blue finish, hard rubber grips. One of approximately 4,237 Model 1903 revolvers manufactured by Webley & Scott. The Webley-Fosbery was meant as a counter-point to the early semi-automatic pistols then emerging on the market, providing the large-bore firepower
and relative mechanical simplicity of a revolver with the smooth single-action operation of an automatic.
While mechanically novel, the tide of history was on the side of the semi-autos, with Browning’s designs in
particular able to scratch the firepower itch. The left side of the top strap is marked “WEBLEY-FOSBERY”. The left side plate is marked with
the “W&S” winged bullet logo followed by “455 CORDITE,” and the right side plate is marked with the serial number. Matching numbers are found on frame under the left grip panel, right side plate, some internal components and cylinder. The pistol is divided into two main
components, an upper frame carrying the barrel, cylinder and the hammer, which is mated to the lower grip frame and single action trigger and disconnector assembly on a spring loaded track. On discharge the recoil energy drives the entire upper frame back along the track, re-cocking the hammer and advancing the cylinder. Included with the lot are five copies of the August 2012 edition of “The Blue Press” (a magazine/catalog published by Dillon Precision) which contains
an article about the Fosbery revolver. CONDITION: Excellent, with 98% plus bright original high polish blue finish, with scattered light spotting, bright edge wear, a shallow drag line on the cylinder, and mild handling marks. The grips are also excellent, with exceptional detail in the “SAFE” marking. Mechanically excellent. One will look a long time to find one as good as this excellent example! Estimate: 12,000 - 18,000
LOT 364
Historic British Webley & Scott Ltd. Mark III Double Action Revolver Inscribed to Major W. Bryan F. Rayner - Serial no. 76522, 455/476 cal., 6 inch solid rib bbl., blue finish, plastic grips. Features fixed oval blade front and notch rear sights, “455/476” marked on the left of the barrel,
manufacturer markings on the left of the frame with serial number on the right, and “bird’s head” pattern grip frame fitted with checkered Vulcanite grip panels, lanyard loop, and inscribed “ W. BRYAN F. RAYNER. OCT.6th
1899.” on the backstrap. W. Bryan F. Rayner was commissioned into the British Royal Fusiliers on October 18, 1899, and
served during the Boer War, participating in the battles of Ladysmith, Colenso, Tugela Heights, Pieter’s Hill, Natal, Transvaal, and Cape Colony. He was initially stationed at Malta after the outbreak of World War I, before being transferred to the Western Front in France and later participating in
action at Fromattes, Bridoux, and at the Battle of the Somme, for which he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) in June 1916. Surviving the war, Rayner retired from the British Army in May 1919 at the rank of major.
CONDITION: Fine, retaining 40% plus original blue finish with light freckling primarily on the left side, light edge wear, minor spitting, thinning on the cylinder, trigger guard, and grip
straps, smooth brown patina, and otherwise mild handling wear. Grips are very fine with mild compression wear to the defined checkering. Mechanically excellent. A storied Webley Mark III revolver bearing character from its service at the side of a veteran of the Boer War and World War I. Estimate: 4,000 - 6,000
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