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LOT 3437
Exceptional British Webley-Fosbery Model 1902 Automatic Revolver in Rare .38 ACP with Holster - Serial
no. 1106, 38 ACP cal., 6 inch solid rib bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. This rare .38 ACP chambered Webley-Fosbery Model
1902 revolver was manufactured on June 23, 1903, according to production figures listed on page 60 of the book “Webley & Scott
Automatic Pistols” by Gordon Bruce. Produced in limited quantities in the early 1900s, the Webley-Fosbery uses a novel recoil driven operating system.
Around early 1904, many of these .38 ACP chambered Webley-Fosbery revolvers were stripped for parts at the factory in order to utilize their components
in production of the newer .455 caliber Webley-Fosbery variants in an attempt to garner more military interest, lending to their scarcity today. The revolver
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
recocking the hammer and advancing the cylinder. While this mechanism combines many of the positive features of both a revolver and an automatic
pistol, it did not catch on, and the revolver was supplanted by the automatic pistol (today known as a semi-automatic pistol) as the primary sidearm of the
military, police and civilians. Blade front and notch rear sights, an 8-shot cylinder, “P. WEBLEY & SON.LONDON & BIRMINGHAM.” address on the barrel
rib, full and partial matching visible serial number “1106” on the barrel, cylinder, right side of the frame, and a few internal
components, “’WEBLEY FOSBERY’” on the left side of the top strap, and the flying bullet trademark above “W&S” next to
“38 AUTOMATIC” on the left side plate of the lower frame. The hammer is checkered on three sides, with Birmingham
proofs, a safety switch on the left side of the lower frame, a pair of checkered grips with “SAFE” at the top of the left
panel and a lanyard swivel on the butt. Includes a period brown leather military pattern flap holster with a small
circular stamp on the belt loop that appears to read “12|01/RLR”.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, retains 85% plus original blue finish with fading concentrated on the grip straps
with smooth gray/brown patina on the balance, and sharp markings and edges. Grips are very fine with tight
fitment, a few light handling marks, minor nicks, and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. Holster is very fine
with some minor age related wear.
Provenance: The Collection of Clive Cussler.
Estimate: 18,000 - 27,500