.38 ACP Webley-Fosbery Automatic Revolver

Published on November 11, 2020
Duration: 10:50

This video provides an expert-level review of the rare .38 ACP Webley-Fosbery Automatic Revolver, presented by Ian McCollum of Forgotten Weapons. It details the firearm's unique recoil-operated action, historical context as a competitor to early semi-automatic pistols, and its commercial failure due to market conditions and restrictive legislation. The review also touches upon its cultural significance, notably its mention in Dashiell Hammett's 'The Maltese Falcon'.

Quick Summary

The .38 ACP Webley-Fosbery Automatic Revolver is a rare firearm known for its unique recoil-operated action. Despite its innovative design, it was a commercial failure due to market competition and restrictive legislation, with only 341 units produced. It holds cultural significance, notably being mentioned in Dashiell Hammett's 'The Maltese Falcon'.

Chapters

  1. 00:16Introduction to the .38 Webley-Fosbery
  2. 01:12Market Context and Competition
  3. 03:07Technical Features and Markings
  4. 04:52Cylinder and Capacity
  5. 06:15Action and Safety Mechanism
  6. 07:04Production and Commercial Failure
  7. 10:01Pop Culture: The Maltese Falcon

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes the Webley-Fosbery Automatic Revolver unique?

The Webley-Fosbery is a rare example of a recoil-operated automatic revolver, a complex design that used the energy of the fired cartridge to cycle the action, index the cylinder, and recock the hammer, bridging the gap between traditional revolvers and early semi-automatic pistols.

Why was the .38 ACP version of the Webley-Fosbery a commercial failure?

The .38 ACP model faced stiff competition from emerging semi-automatic pistols and was hampered by restrictive British handgun legislation enacted in 1903, leading to very low production numbers and limited market success.

What is the significance of the .38 ACP Webley-Fosbery in popular culture?

The .38 caliber Webley-Fosbery is famously mentioned as the murder weapon in Dashiell Hammett's classic detective novel 'The Maltese Falcon', although film adaptations sometimes feature dialogue discrepancies regarding the specific caliber.

What were the key technical differences in the .38 ACP Webley-Fosbery?

Compared to the .455 model, the .38 ACP version featured an 8-round cylinder capacity (vs. 6), incorporated updates like vulcanite grips and a coil mainspring, and utilized the semi-rimmed .38 ACP cartridge for headspacing.

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