Friday, September 03, 2010

Had a chance to look at one of these yesterday


though I didn't get to fire it: Webley-Fosbery Automatic Revolver. Yes, 'auto revolver'. See those zig-zag tracks machined in the cylinder? When you fire the upper receiver slides back on the lower and both cocks the hammer and rotates the cylinder to bring the next chamber into battery. That lever at the top of the grip is the safety; it was intended that you could carry it cocked & locked(though I have no idea how solid the safety was).

Good history of it and 'how it works' at the link. I'll say take the Webley Mark VI, make it taller and you've got an idea how it feels. And cocking the hammer does nothing but; to rotate the cylinder you have to hold the barrel and rack the upper back and forward.

Interesting old piece, this is the first one I've been able to handle and only the third I've ever seen. The one I looked at was in .455, six shots; the .38 version held eight.

A fine example of the things people have dreamed up with firearms. I was told that it shoots very well and quite accurately; I hope someday to find out for myself.

1 comment:

Keith said...

You luck, lucky ba....!

Emilio Ghisoni's "Mateba" makes his up to date take on a fosberry.

I might get to see one in Italy or Switzerland some day :-(