Webley–Fosbery Automatic Revolver

Semi-automatic pistols were just beginning to appear when Colonel Fosbery (1832–1907) devised a revolver that cocked the hammer and rotated the cylinder by sliding the action, cylinder and barrel assembly back on the frame. The prototype was a modified Colt Single Action Army revolver. However, Colt was uninterested in the automatic design. Fosbery patented his invention 16 August 1895 and further improvements were patented in June and October 1896.{{cite book|last=Kinard|first=Jeff|title=Pistols: An Illustrated History of Their Impact|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZVnuHX_6bG0C&pg=PA144|year=2004|publisher=ABC-CLIO|isbn=978-1-85109-470-7|page=144}}

Fosbery took his design to P. Webley & Son of Birmingham. P. Webley & Son, which merged with W.C. Scott & Sons and Richard Ellis & Son in 1897 to form the Webley & Scott Revolver and Arms Co., was the primary manufacturer of service pistols for the British Army as well as producing firearms for civilian use. Webley further developed the design and the Webley–Fosbery Automatic Revolver was introduced at the matches at Bisley in July 1900.

In civilian use, the Webley–Fosbery was popular with target shooters. Because the trigger mechanism did not rotate the cylinder, shots were smooth and consistent, permitting rapid and accurate shooting. Walter Winans, a famous contemporary target shooter, preferred the Webley–Fosbery,{{cite book | title=The Art of Revolver Shooting | publisher=G. P. Putnam's Sons | author=Winans, Walter | year=1911 | location=New York and London | pages=215}} and in 1902 he used it to place six shots in a {{convert|2|in|cm|adj=on|spell=in}} bull's-eye at 12 paces in seven seconds. Using a Prideaux speedloader he was able to fire twelve shots into a {{convert|3|in|cm|adj=on|spell=in}} bull's-eye in approximately 15 seconds.{{cite book |last=Foltz |first=Frederick |editor=Rodenbough |title=Journal of the Military Service Institution |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iIgmAQAAIAAJ&pg=PA436 |volume=23 |year=1903 |publisher=Military Service Institution of the United States |pages=434–436 |chapter=Webley-Fosbery Revolver}}

Though Webley viewed this weapon as an ideal sidearm for cavalry troops, the Webley–Fosbery was never adopted as an official government sidearm. At over {{convert|11|in|cm}} long and weighing some 44 ounces (1,239 grammes) unloaded, the Webley–Fosbery was a heavy and unwieldy sidearm even by the standards of the day. Several models of Webley–Fosbery revolvers were produced, and the type saw limited action in the Boer Wars as well as World War I, where some privately purchased examples were carried by British officers in the .455 service chambering."[http://world.guns.ru/handguns/double-action-revolvers/brit/webley-fosbery-e.html Webley-Fosbery automatic revolver]". World Guns, Modern Firearms. Retrieved 31-03-2011. Reports from the field suggested that the Webley–Fosbery, with its precisely machined recoil surfaces, was more susceptible to jamming in wartime conditions of mud and rain than comparable sidearms of the period. It has been commonly alleged that the Webley–Fosbery required a tight hold in order for the cylinder to properly cycle and cock the weapon.

Production ceased in 1924, with a total production of less than 5,000. Many revolvers remained unsold, and the model was carried in Webley's catalogues as late as 1939.{{cite book|last=Gordon|first=Bruce|title=Webley & Scott Automatic Pistols |year=1992|publisher=Verlag Stocker Schmid|pages=85}}

A Webley–Fosbery figures prominently in the 1941 picture The Maltese Falcon, starring Humphrey Bogart and Mary Astor.{{cite web | url=https://www.guns.com/news/review/dear-santa-i-want-webley-fosbery-automatic-revolver | title=Dear Santa: I want Webley-Fosbery Automatic Revolver | accessdate=10 January 2025 | author=Higginbotham, David}}

Webley-Fosbery Patent.jpg|Webley-Fosbery patent 1897

Webley-Fosbery.png|Webley-Fosbery .455

Webley-Fosbery short bbl.jpg|Webley-Fosbery .455, short-barreled variant

455in SAA Ball - Webley 455 Ammunition.jpg|.455 SAA Ball ammunition

• Mateba Autorevolver, a contemporary automatic revolver
• Mauser M78, a revolver from the same era, with a zig-zag grooved cylinder
• Pancor Jackhammer, a select-fire shotgun based on the action type
• Zulaica Automatic Revolver, a small-bore (.22LR) automatic revolver from the same era

{{reflist}}

• {{cite book | title=The Webley Story | publisher=Commonwealth Heritage Foundation | author=Dowell, William Chipcase | year=1987 | location=Kirkland, Washington | isbn=9780939683048|url=https://www.collezionareexordinanza.it/uploads/downloads/2018-02-17_252860192-the-webley-story-wc-dowell-1987.pdf}}

• [https://www.indaginibalistiche.it/utlities/manuali/webley_fosbery_automatic_revolver_EN.pdf Instruction Manual]
• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52t2jdLDHHg&ab_channel=ForgottenWeapons Major Fosbery's Automatic Revolver: History and Mechanics]
• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HSPIhHFtLX0 Video of a Webley–Fosbery, showing self-cocking action]
• [http://www.securityarms.com/20010315/galleryfiles/2900/2956.htm Webley Fosbery Automatic Revolver Caliber .455 (UK)]

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Category:.38 ACP firearms

Category:Automatic revolvers

Category:Early revolvers

Category:Military revolvers

Category:Revolvers of the United Kingdom

Category:World War I British infantry weapons

Category:Short recoil firearms

Category:Weapons and ammunition introduced in 1901

Category:Single-action revolvers