Page 379 - 4095-BOOK2

377
LOT 1398
Exceptional British Webley-Fosbery Model 1901
Automatic Revolver in .455 Webley, Inscribed
to J.R. Dyas - Serial no. 357, 455 Webley cal.,
6 inch solid rib bbl., blue finish, walnut grips.
This .455 chambered Webley-Fosbery Model
1901 revolver was manufactured c. 1902-1903
according to production figures listed on page
85 of the book “Webley & Scott Automatic Pistols” by Gordon Bruce. “J.R. DYAS.” neatly inscribed on the
back strap. No further information has been located about J.R. Dyas at the current time. Manufactured in
limited quantities, with approximately 4,000 total between all of
the variations, the Webley-Fosbery
revolver was meant as a counter-point
to the early semi-automatic pistols
then emerging on the market. Many
of these revolvers were known to have
been purchased by officers. These
innovative revolvers cock and rotate
the cylinder automatically under
recoil allowing them to have a rate of
fire similar to a semi-automatic pistol
while firing the more powerful revolver
cartridges of the time and retaining
the light trigger pull of a single action
revolver. Patridge blade front sight
and notch rear sight. Full and partial
matching visible serial numbers
on the barrel, cylinder, right side
of the frame, and a few internal
components, “WEBLEY FOSBERY
AUTOMATIC” on the left side of
the top strap, the “flying bullet”
trademark and “455 CORDITE
ONLY” on the left side plate of the lower frame, and checkered walnut grips with “SAFE” at the top of the
left panel.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, retains 85% original blue finish with smooth gray/brown patina on the
balance, a few patches of minor surface pitting, and sharp markings and edges. Grips are very fine with
tight fitment, a few light handling marks and minor nicks, and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Collection of Clive Cussler.
Estimate: 14,000 - 22,500
LOT 1399
Historic British Webley-Fosbery Model 1903 Automatic Revolver in .455 Webley, Inscribed to Captain R.C.E. Holmes
of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers - Serial no. 1995, 455 Webley cal., 6 inch solid rib bbl., blue finish, hard rubber grips. This .455
chambered Webley-Fosbery Model 1903 revolver was manufactured May 23, 1905, according to production figures listed on page
85 of the book “Webley & Scott Automatic Pistols” by Gordon Bruce. “CAPT. R.C.E. HOLMES./3rd ROYAL INNISKILLING FUS.” neatly
inscribed on the right of the frame. The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers was an Irish line infantry regiment of the British Army, formed in
1881 and active until 1968. The Fermanagh Light Infantry Regiment became the 3rd Battalion, and they were active in the Second
Boer War and World War I. No further information has been located about Captain R.C.E. Holmes at the current time. Manufactured in
limited quantities, with approximately 4,000 total between all of the variations, the Webley-Fosbery revolver was meant as a counter-
point to the early semi-automatic pistols then emerging on the market. Many of these revolvers were known to have been purchased
by officers, including this inscribed example. These innovative revolvers cock and rotate the cylinder automatically under recoil allowing them to have a rate of fire similar to a
semi-automatic pistol while firing the more powerful revolver cartridges of the time and retaining the light trigger pull of a single action revolver. Patridge blade front sight and
notch rear sight. Full and partial matching visible serial numbers on the barrel, cylinder, right side of the frame, left side of the grip strap, and a few internal components, “’WEBLEY
FOSBERY’” on the left side of the top strap, the “flying bullet” trademark
above “W&S” (Webley & Scott) and “455 CORDITE” on the left side plate of
the lower frame, and checkered hard rubber grips with “SAFE” at the top
of the left panel.
CONDITION: Very fine, retains 70% original blue finish with smooth
brown patina on the balance, some scattered light freckling, and
sharp markings and edges. Grips are also very fine with a few light
handling marks, a chip on the bottom surface of the left panel, and crisp
checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Collection of Clive Cussler.
Estimate: 12,000 - 17,000