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LOT 447
Scarce Webley-Fosbery Automatic Revolver - Serial no. 4404, 455 cal., 6 inch
solid rib bbl., blue finish, hardwood grips. Manufactured in limited quantity (approximately
4,000 total, all variations), 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. Patridge blade front sight and drift adjustable raised notch rear sight. Matching numbers on the barrel,
cylinder and frame, “P. WEBLEY & SON LONDON AND BIRMINGHAM” on top of the rib, “WEBLEY-FOSBERY” on the left side
of the top strap, the “flying bullet” trademark ahead of “455 CORDITE” on the left side of the frame, and a metal “SAFE” panel
inlaid into the left grip. Fitted with a lanyard ring. Two medals are included, one WWI Allied Victory Medal and a 1914-1918 British War Medal; both are inscribed on the rim to a Private J. Dusek of the Royal Fusiliers, though no additional information is available on Dusek.
CONDITION: Fine, with 40% of the original blue finish, concentrated in the protected areas with the remainder turning a mixed brown and gray patina, with mild spotting, handling marks and edge wear overall. The grips are very good, with a few minor dings and crisp checkering. The medals are fair as modified, with the pins removed from the ribbons and traces of glued paper on the backs, likely from installation in a frame or similar display. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 5,000 - 7,000
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NOTICE THE NEAR IDENTICAL MECHANICAL OPERATION OF THE UNION FIRE ARMS AND WEBLEY-FOSBERY REVOLVERS
LOT 448
Very Scarce Union Fire Arms Automatic Revolver in Nickel - Serial no. 38, 32 cal., 3 inch solid rib bbl., nickel finish, hard rubber grips. Manufactured around 1909-1912, the Union Automatic Revolver bears a strong mechanical resemblance to the Webley- Fosbery Automatic to the point where the base principles are virtually identical: a top-break revolver frame is mounted in a spring-loaded housing and grip assembly, and on discharge, the frame is driven backwards by recoil, revolving the cylinder and re-cocking the hammer. The main deviations are that the hammer is mounted to the housing on the Union, no manual safety is included, and the mechanism is capable
of a double action fire. Only a limited number (less than 300 by some sources) were made, and much like the Webley-Fosbery it had a hard time competing with standard revolvers and automatic pistols. Fixed sights, with “36” on the barrel and cylinder, “38” on the butt”, two-line address on the right sideplate and checkered grips.
CONDITION: Fine, with 60% of the original nickel finish, with flaking to exposed brown and gray steel concentrated on the grip straps and the back of the housing, mild handling marks and light spotting. The grips are very good, with some dings and flat spots. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 3,000 - 4,500
Fewer than approximately 300 Union Fire Arms automatic revolvers were produced