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Webley Fosbery SA Revolver

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:1,250.00 USD Estimated At:2,500.00 - 3,500.00 USD
Webley Fosbery SA Revolver
Auction Location:

16600 Aston Street
Irvine, CA
Webley Fosbery Semi-Automatic Revolver, #2944, .455 Webley cal., 6'' barrel, blue finish, smooth walnut stocks with lanyard loop in butt. Revolver named to W.G. Cowley on backstrap; left side of topstrap marked ''Webley Fosbery''; top rib of barrel marked ''P. Webley & Sons. London & Birmingham''; left side of frame ''455 Cordite'' with winged ''W&S'' flying bullet logo; crown-''BV'' proofmarks at all six cylinder lugs. Designed by G.V. Fosbery in 1895 and mfg'd from 1901-1915, with a total of approx. 4750 mfg'd. This recoil-operated semi-automatic revolver can be fired quickly and with much less muzzle climb than a comparable period semi-automatic pistol. Shots were smooth and consistent permitting rapid and accurate shooting. Famed period target shooter Walter Winans preferred the Fosbery, and in 1902 used it to place 6 shots in a 2'' bullseye at 12 paces in seven seconds. Never adopted as an official government sidearm, many privately purchased examples found t!
heir way to the trenches in WWI. The pistol also saw limited use in the Boer Wars. In the classic film ''The Maltese Falcon'', Sam Spade's partner, Miles Archer, was killed with a Fosbery. With correct period military flap holster dated 1914. Condition is very good to near fine retaining approx. 60% original finish. Walnut grips show smoothing and rounding. Action remains crisp, bore is excellent. Holster shows moderate general wear and toning to leather. Est.: $2,500-$3,500.