Page 270 - 88-BOOK1

LOT 305
Historic Webley-Fosbery
Automatic Revolver
Inscribed to World War I Captain Nigel D.R. Hunter
- Serial no. 3935, 455 Webley cal., 6 inch solid rib bbl., blue finish, hard rubber grips.
This revolver is inscribed on the back strap “N.D.R. Hunter”. Included with the revolver is
research indicating that the inscription is that of Captain Nigel Duncan Ratcliffe Hunter, of the British Royal Engineers, who was killed in action at Biefvillers on 25 March 1918. These
interesting revolvers were designed by Lt. Col. G. V. Fosbery and utilize a novel “automatic” mechanism that turns the cylinder and cocks the hammer by harnessing recoil which
drives the upper assembly rewards in a similar fashion to the slide of a semi-automatic
pistol. This mechanism allows for faster firing while maintaining the low trigger pull of a
single action revolver. The Fosbery design was reported to have been as fast if not faster
than its magazine fed counterparts in regard to the rate of fire and as fast to load if a speed loader was used. It has a blade front sight, notch rear sight integral to the top strap latch, “WEBLEY·FOSBERY” on the left side of the top strap, the “winged bullet/W&S” trademark followed by “455 CORDITE” on the left side of the frame, “3935” on the
right side of the frame, partial matching serial number “935” on the rear of the cylinder and the barrel lug, safety lever on the left side of the frame, checkered hard rubber grips, and a lanyard loop on the butt.
CONDITION: Very fine, retains 90% of the period refinished blue finish with some light edge wear and a few scattered patches of light pitting, some under the finish. The grips are also very fine with a few scattered light handling marks
and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 9,000 - 12,000
AS PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK WEBLEY & SCOTT AUTOMATIC
PISTOLS BY BRUCE
LOT 306
Documented British William J. Whiting Experimental Prototype Webley Model
1903 Striker Fired Semi-Automatic Pistol - Serial no. 3C, 38 CF cal., 5 5/8 inch
round bbl., bright finish, absent grips. This unique Webley prototype semi-automatic striker fired pistol remains in the
white, and, although it is incomplete, it appears to function using two locking lugs located at the rear of the barrel that are grabbed by
arms located on the sides of the bolt when it is in the closed position. When fired
(if it were in a complete functional state), the pressure initiates a rearward motion, and
after recoiling a short distance, the locking arms are pushed upwards utilizing a camming system in order to unlock the bolt from the rear of the barrel, allowing the bolt to separate and continue
its motion rearward for ejection while the barrel hits a stopping point. No spring is currently present, but a spring would act on the bolt in order to push it forward to feed another round into
the chamber and lock. Simpson import marked on the bottom front flat area of the frame above
“WEBLEY M-1903 .38 CAL ENGLAND”. This pistol follows the same basic mechanical principals of the September 4th,
1903 dated British patent number 19,032, granted to Webley & Scott Revolver and Arms Co. and William John Whiting,
although the pistol depicted in said patent has general visual differences and utilizes a hammer fired system as opposed
to the striker fired system in this example, indicating this is likely an improved variation. The inventor of this pistol, William J.
Whiting, took out a total of 34 patents during his career, notably the more well-recognized production variations of Webley & Scott automatic pistols of the early 20th century. This exact pistol is described in detail and pictured on pages 87-92 of the book “Webley
& Scott Automatic Pistols” by Gordon Bruce in which it mentions that this design was likely made in an attempt to interest the British military after their rejection of the .455 Webley Fosbery automatic revolver.
CONDITION: Very good, exhibiting bright exposed metal surfaces with a few small patches of light pitting visible. Mechanically able to be manipulated by hand, but is incomplete in its current state. This likely one-of-a-kind Webley Model 1903 prototype semi-automatic pistol serves as an important evolutionary piece in early semi-automatic pistol development and would make a fine addition to any advanced firearms collection!
268 Estimate: 4,500 - 6,500
Captain Nigel Duncan Ratcliffe Hunter