.38 ACP Webley-Fosbery Automatic Revolver

Published on November 11, 2020
Duration: 10:50

The .38 ACP Webley-Fosbery Automatic Revolver was a commercial attempt to compete with early semi-automatic pistols, offering an 8-round capacity and a unique recoil-operated automatic action. Despite its innovative design, it was a commercial failure due to limited military interest and restrictive legislation. It gained notoriety as the murder weapon in Dashiell Hammett's 'The Maltese Falcon'.

Quick Summary

The .38 ACP Webley-Fosbery Automatic Revolver was a rare commercial attempt to compete with early semi-automatic pistols, featuring an 8-round capacity and a unique recoil-operated action. Despite its innovations, it was a commercial failure and is famously known as the murder weapon in 'The Maltese Falcon'.

Chapters

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What made the .38 ACP Webley-Fosbery Automatic Revolver unique?

The .38 ACP Webley-Fosbery was unique for its recoil-operated automatic action, an 8-round cylinder capacity (vs. 6 in the .455 model), and its use of .38 ACP semi-rimmed cartridges, often loaded with full moon clips for rapid reloading.

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

It failed commercially due to a lack of military interest, as forces preferred .45 caliber, and the introduction of restrictive British handgun legislation in 1903. Only 341 units were produced.

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

The .38 Webley-Fosbery gained significant recognition as the murder weapon in Dashiell Hammett's classic detective novel, 'The Maltese Falcon', cementing its place in literary and crime history.

How did the .38 ACP Webley-Fosbery function?

It operated automatically via recoil; the upper frame recoiled, cycling the action, indexing the cylinder, and recocking the hammer. It featured a safety that locked the hammer and frame when cocked.

Related News

All News →

More Reviews Videos You Might Like

More from Forgotten Weapons

View all →