Webley Fosbery

Published on October 22, 2025
Duration: 2:13

This video provides an in-depth look at the Webley Fosbery, specifically a Model 1901. It highlights the unique recoil-operated mechanism that rotates the cylinder and recocks the hammer after each shot, allowing for repeated single-action firing without manual cocking. The presenter notes the gun's historical context, its innovative design attempting to blend revolver and semi-automatic features, and its reputation for being delicate and not well-liked at the time of its production, despite being a valuable collector's item today.

Quick Summary

The Webley Fosbery Model 1901 is a unique recoil-operated revolver where the cylinder rotates and the hammer recocks automatically after each shot, thanks to grooves on the cylinder interacting with a stationary frame pin. This design aimed to combine revolver and semi-automatic pistol features but was often unreliable and unpopular at the time.

Chapters

  1. 00:01Introduction to the Webley Fosbery
  2. 00:10Identifying the Model 1901
  3. 00:22Unique Operation: Recoil-Fired Revolver
  4. 00:40How the Mechanism Works
  5. 01:01Manual Safety and Trigger Pull
  6. 01:17Detailed Mechanism Explanation
  7. 01:37Cylinder Lock-Up
  8. 01:46Historical Reception and Value
  9. 01:51Why it Wasn't Well-Liked
  10. 02:06Collector's Appeal

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes the Webley Fosbery a unique firearm?

The Webley Fosbery is unique because it's a single-action-only revolver that automatically rotates its cylinder and recocks the hammer after each shot, utilizing the recoil of the fired cartridge to achieve this. This allows for repeated firing without manual cocking.

How does the Webley Fosbery's recoil-operated mechanism function?

The firearm's mechanism involves grooves on the cylinder that interact with a stationary pin in the frame. When a cartridge is fired, the recoil forces the cylinder to rotate, which in turn recocks the hammer, preparing it for the next single-action shot.

What are the distinguishing features of the Webley Fosbery Model 1901?

The Model 1901 variant of the Webley Fosbery is identifiable by its distinctive large, dished-out flutes located at the rear of the cylinder. It also features a manual safety, though these are often stiff.

Why was the Webley Fosbery not popular when it was first produced?

Despite its innovative design, the Webley Fosbery was not well-liked at the time because it was considered a delicate system prone to jamming, especially if grit entered the mechanism. It also suffered from accuracy issues, shooting too high or too low.

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