Description
2/25/26 - This is a very rare Webley-Fosbery Automatic Revolver Model 1901 complete with a period-correct wooden case. The Fosbery was produced from 1901 to 1924, with a total of less than 4,200 known to be produced, and less than 1000 of those being the 1901 variation. This particular example has an interesting history as underneath the right grip panel is stamped "F G Crick RMA". After doing some research, we were able to identify that this particular Webley-Fosbery was owned by Capt. Frederick G. Crick, who was part of the Royal Marine Artillery. We were even able to find records showing that Crick died in a drowning accident.
The automatic revolver design introduced with this firearm was one of the earliest competitors to today's automatic sidearms. Competing directly with the Borchardt C-93, this Webley utilized a sliding frame to take advantage of the short recoil to rotate the cylinder and re-cock the hammer for another shot. While the concept of the Webley-Fosbery Automatic Revolver was intended for military purposes, the complicated mechanisms, slow reload times, and sensitivity of the exposed channels to properly allow the cylinder to rotate and re-cock the hammer during recoil made it a poor choice for soldiers in the field. Despite this, the Webley-Fosbery was still purchased as the private sidearms of many military officers. The 1901 variation was the shortest produced variation before switching to the 1902 model, which was chambered in .38 ACP and featured a rare 8-shot cylinder. The 1902 came with many improvements to the design itself, including a V mainspring (1901 operated with a coil mainspring) and an easier cylinder release button on the top strap. In 1903, the .455 Webley Mk II caliber was brought back, while keeping many of the 1902's design improvements. Both the 1902 and 1903 also offered either a 6" or 7.5" (Target Model) length barrel.
This Webley is all-matching with the 6" barrel, cylinder, both grip panels, and correct small parts all serialized to the frame. This revolver has retained about 80% of its original finish. There is some thinning on the front strap, as well as a scratch inside of the trigger well which seems to continue to a small area underneath the left side of the frame. Other than those two areas, there is general high-edge wear and some patina on the cylinder. The serialized wood grip panels are in great shape with no signs of chips or cracks. The bore is bright with strong rifling, but does show light frosting throughout. This unique firearm comes with the period-correct wooden case (cannot verify it is the original to the gun), a cleaning rod, key, tool, and oil jar. Also comes with 24 rounds of .455 Webley MK II. All functionality tests passed with proper timing and lock-up.
