Early ones came with either mutton chops or tusks and a Martini Henry rifle. I forgot, they also came with a used, blood coverd assegai, and blood stained Zulu sheild with .45 holes in it.
Lucas Hagg i live in the uk surely I should have the right to own one of these really interesting pieces of British history.... but no it’s too dangerous:(
@@polygondwanaland8390 "I live in the US" "surely my right to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed" that's where the NFA and many state gun laws say you're wrong, citizenerino
Get tired of firing the same old .455 Webley Fosbery every day? Chin up, old chap! Drop by this month's offering from Rock Island Auctions and you can have one for each day of the week!
I'm writing a dissertation on the authenticity of World War One in video games and am including a section on the weapons used in Battlefield 1 and Verdun, and this is exactly the type of video I need right now with all the archives closed to the public. Thanks a bunch Ian, I'll be sure to use this and many of your other videos in my research. Keep up the good work!
Webley-Fosbery seems like how the Citroen cars have been addressed sometimes - perfect solutions to non-existent problems. Don't get me wrong, it's an interesting concept, but it's also adding complexity and weight, and for a handgun that's in general not wanted, at least in military applications.
Bear in mind that they were designed in 1901 - the semi-auto market was still in flux at the time. I've always thought of them as a period equivalent of the modern Chiappa and Mateba revolvers, e.g. a niche product for a small market. If WW1 had never highlighted the concept's flaws we would probably remember them more fondly today.
@@AshleyPomeroy I do not know if comparing them to the Chiappa revolver(s) is fair, unless you are only talking about self-cocking and self-aligning (of the cylinder) revolvers. Since the grip angle on the Chiappa Rhino does offer a significant benefit regarding muzzle clime and possibly felt recoil - at least in theory.
@@jonasstrzyz2469 that's not a theory, a friend of mine has a rhino and there's almost zero muzzle flip, all the recoil comes straight back. Even with full power .357 +p.
A fascinating exploration of what looks like a basic, mark one "revolver" but with so much more. I've read so many books where, at some point, a minor character has a "big old Webley revolver..." as if it were a lesser weapon. No such thing at all. I agree though-- should come issued with big mustache, lanyard and walking stick.
@@Reikianolla Oh, like an old Alistair MacLean book, or other thriller books written in the 60's and 70's. I remember "Webley" mentioned a couple of times. Harder to find those books as libraries around here have taken them off the shelves due to poor circulation.
@@vtbmwbiker In one of Len Deighton's books (Line, I think) the main character uses his father's wartime Webley and another character who doesn't know who it is or what gun it is thinks to himself "...a too damn professional someone with a a god-damn hand-cannon" or something similar when the bullets start flying.
A moustache is grown, not issued. Once a suitably magnificent moustache is grown, then the necessary paperwork can be submitted for the lanyard and walking stick. There is an argument that a Gentleman should already have a suitable walking stick, hence only the lanyard required.
The Lee-Enfield No.4 Mk.1 (T) is widely regarded, across all my books on snipers, sniping, and the rifles used, as being the best sniper rifle made, by Allied and Axis forces both, of WWII. Yes, by today's standards, it's a pretty heavy gun; and it isn't sub-MOA. That saying, in decent hands, a decent five shot group, of within -- iirc -- 1 MOA @ 300+ yrds, is definitely possible, and probable at 400+ yrds. In fact, if you do the Mad Minute with one, you'll be surprised how well you can do, given the famous short-throw bolt ... In fact, there is an apocryphal story, that is more than likely true, that when German troops attacked a BEF position, in the early stages of WWI, those that made it back swore that they were being hit by machine gun fire, such was the rapidity of the incoming shots ... But I digress. If you are serious looking for a No.4 Mk.1, do try and find one, not only with its transport case, but also with the metal tin for the scope itself (the No.23 Mk.3 is the go-to, as that was the best iteration of the telescopic sights for that rifle), plus the full equipment schedule, such as the collapsible spooting scope, and case; rifle bag; and much else besides. Very hard to find, and your bank manager will have an aneurysm, but given its historic value, it will be worth it ...
@@gunsandblanks706 Actually what he says is: Yes. Webley-Fosbery Automatic Revolver, FORTY-FIVE, eight shot. They don't make them anymore.» (yes, it's technically incorrect)
Gin Soaked Boy -- Whoops, sorry, man, I didn't read ahead before I made my reference to the Maltese Falcon movie script. No copy-catting intended. ;) I should have known someone else watching this would beat me to it. ;)
@@elgringosupremo Swing ou cylinders are much more durable and are much stronger than the break open. The various Webleys and a few American made 22 LR revolvers were the last of the break-open designs and the 22s went the way of all the others in the 1980s. The break-open could be faster on the reload, (and probably was with the vast majority of humans) but even the relatively low-powered late-model Webleys were too weak to reliably hold up to such high-pressure cartridges as the 38 Special and the .44 Special. The advent of the .357 Magnum was the death knell of almost all of the less-than-robust revolver designs., it didn't matter that a specific maker had no intention to build .357 Magnum revolvers, it was that it showed that technology had made a significant change. As to the question of durability, for the most part, the revolver as a martial design was phased out by the British Empire, as the last wide-spread user of the design starting in the 1930sto be replaced by semi-autos. The last major hold-outs for revolvers for police and law-enforcement uses were the thousands of US law enforcement organizations, federal, state and local of which virtually none used the faster-to-reload break open designs. The reasons for the lack of break-open designs? Testing had found a lack of the robustness of the design, the fragility of the components and the comparative ease of access of dirt, sand, and dust into the actions. This was added to the fact that full-powered loads even with such low-pressure cartridges such as the British .38-200 could 'stretch' the frame under prolonged use. Oh, almost forgot, the Japanese police hung onto the double-action pistol design for some of their officers until well into the 1980s as well. But they had used swing-out cylinders, not the break open designs. BTW, for me, I really like shooting a break-open revolver and it is pretty nice to be able to fire the rounds, hit the release, let the barrel to pivot away, and lever the barrel open to eject the empties, then be able to quickly load new cartridges.
@igor šajinović the design is fundimentally flawed in terms of how forces are distributed through the frame. With today's metallurgy it would be technically possible to make higher chamber pressure top-break revolvers, _but they would always be heavier and bulkier_ than the swing-out version of the same calibur. On a durability vs weight basis the swing-out is superior, and weight is an important factor in the practicality of a gun. I would say the third most important factor, after caliber and capacity.
@@KingHalbatorix I forget the correct name of the revolvers that fire out the bottom of the cylinder vs the top of the cylinder, but if someone had to have it and wanted to spend the money it would seem that moving the hinge point as close to the barrel axis as possible would reduce strain on the locking latch.
If you ever get to Australia the War Memorial Canberra, Lithgow Factory Museum and Ron Owens museum in Gympie Queensland would be a must for you. There was also a fantastic museum in Illfracombe Queensland of a working specimen of nearly every small arm used in WW2.
If you ever get the chance, watch "Zardoz" with Sean Connery. There is a scene in the movie where Sean picks up a pistol from a pile of weapons and it is one of these, you can clearly see the recoil groves in the cylinder.
I have the film on blu-ray - the director's commentary is priceless. It was shot in Ireland and John Boorman found it very difficult to get hold of huge quantities of blank-firing guns until some local outdoors enthusiasts helped him.
For some reason I was thinking it was a regular Webley, not a Fosbery so I went looking for photos and at first I thought I was right since I found a good close up of Connery holding it and I couldn't see the slide part. Then I realized I couldn't see it because his grip was so high that if he actually fired it like that, he would lose half his hand.
The first time I ever heard about the Webley Fosbery was watching the Maltese Falcon with my Dad and I wondered what type of firearm that was for years. Sam Spade says they were unique and that they don't make them anymore. I had no idea how unique they were until years later. Thanks for the video.
Automatic revolver... hmmm very unique and every time I see these (I have never seen one in person but Ian’s amazing content has shown these before I think...). I wish good health and all the best to you and yours!
"Got him right through the pump--with this." "Webley-Fosbery automatic revolver. That's it. Thirty-eight, eight shot. They don't make them any more. How many gone out of it?" ~The Maltese Falcon 1941
I know my face lit up when i saw 7 of them on the table. All in great condition too, except for 1. I did not know there were so many variations. I always assumed they were a standard pattern. I should know better, given how many changes there were in Webleys over just a few years. British officer had to provide their own sidearms prior to WW1, so it is remotely possible that a few of them saw action in outposts of the Empire. The British were big believers in large bore revolvers for 'wog-smashing', and sometimes the locals took a lot of killing (see .577 Adams). Hamilton Bowen knows a few things about the .577, and has converted some Redhawks. Anyway, great video as always. Thank you
An odd gun and fun to shoot. I don't think they went over all that well and probably wouldn't have been a player at all had the Webleys not had such a horrendously hard double action trigger pull. The wonderful trigger pull (all things are relative) was the biggest thing I noticed shooting the Fosbury versus a standard Webley (which I typically shoot single only). Would like to see the 4-inch barrel version, as those are my favorite Webleys generally speaking.
I am no gun-nut and not a weapons expert but... i was surprised that there was so much mechanicals (for the lack of a better word) to a simple thing like a revolver - i really thought of them to be something like in wild west without much improvement - i didnt knew about the automatic cocking action and sliding upper part and all the details... i sort of got a new respect now for it. (yes im a gun welp i only fired my dads stg90 at the range way back when he still was alive and the ammo manager for the shooting sports club)
Hey Ian or whoever, I'm wondering how much you think Battlefield 1 influenced interest in WWI firearms and history. While I can't say the same for Battlefield V, you mentioned Bf 1 resurrected the Hellriegel and I can imagine it did the same for other weapons. Playing Bf 1 is a part of why I'm here, and maybe it is for other people too.
I wish some out fit in Turkey, Brazil or the Philippines would start making the short frame versions in .38 Special. I love the mechanism but will never be able to afford one. Probably can't afford a reissue either. Looks like a lot of machining and assembly work in one of those. A nickel plated Webley Fozbery, that must be a wondrous sight to behold.
n the 'Maltese Falcon", when Spade is discussing the murder of Archer with Tom Polhaus, Polhaus says the murder weapon is a "Webley." Spade then goes on to describe the weapon as a "Webley-Forsby (sic), .45 Automatic, 8-shot.", In the book, the weapon is correctly referred to as a .38 caliber, 8-shot.
When I see Ian with an array of very similar looking guns in a row on the table I get parallel thoughts about when I open an entire tube of tennis balls and dump them all out on the floor for my dog and watch the mayhem.
I’d have to watch the film again. I remember Spade (Bogey) pulling the gun off a dead body near the base of the Golden Gate Bridge. He looks at it and comments “Webley -Fosbury”. Just a clever film detail to let the audience know Spade knew his stuff.
Absolutely beautiful! I wish you had put this video out before I modeled this thing, it would've been great for reference images. In my opinion the 1901 looks far more elegant than the later models.
A bit of a minor advantage these have over a typical semi auto pistol, a double action trigger pull will still advance to the next chamber if the gun fails to cycle. That said, magazine fed pistols have achieved a level of reliability where there’s probably a better chance of this getting stuck between chambers than of a semi auto malfunctioning.
I kid you not: Connecticut's original "adult weapons" ban included automatic revolvers, because gangsters be using rare firearms with obscure cartages.
"A Webley. English, ain't it?" "Yes. A Webley-Fosbery automatic revolver, thirty-eight, eight shot. They don't make them anymore." And that is a sad, sad thing, indeed. I love early turn-of-the-Twentieth-Century designs when pretty much everything was some sort of wild idea or innovation, practical or not. Late Steam Punk, I suppose. Beautiful examples and I don't know if I'd be able to sit at a table with seven such fine examples and not feel that life could hold no more wonder. ;)
The first book I owned that detailed mentioned its usability along the lines of "...susceptible to mud, of which there was no shortage on the Western Front."
The problem with this revolver is that if the grooves get dirty the gun can't work proprely. If i remember correctly this is the same reason that doomed the Pancor Jackhammer shotgun, the cyliinder was to susceptible to dirt.
I’m British live in UK. Every time I see something about this auto-revolver It just makes me want one even more but nope anyone who wants gun in the UK is a crazy person or a terrorist :/ so unfair...
Only handguns, A mate of mine has a collection of old military black powder rifles, martini-henrys and such like. So if you want to get into guns in the UK there's avenues you can follow.
I think you'll find firearms ownership in the UK is at it's highest since the 70's and is still on the up. Change only happens by campaigning and reasoning, not by acceptance of what is "the norm"
@@parallel-knight If you seriously want to get into it join a club and look into the law. Shotguns are relatively easy to get licences for but you can also get licences for things like old military bolt action rifles or even modern stuff as long as it's not semi-automatic
I had to look twice, but it seems to work as intended. Extracts the empties then snaps back out of the way for reloading. Sure looked like it launched across the room though, it snaps forward again so fast the movement mostly happened between video frames.
When my father was training in the British army around the mid 50s, his sargeant major told him in a real fight not use his revolver, it would make him stick out like a sore thumb, it was an excellent man stopper apparently though. These webleys seem overly complex.
The only one of these I ever saw up close belonged to a cowboy in South Dakota. He got drunk one night and shot his big toe off with the blasted gun. He was not a happy cowboy, the bartender at the bar where it happened was not all that happy either, you were not allowed to carry in bars back then, so the dude got a ticket as well as loosing his big toe. What a nimrod.
I almost want to design an aerna shooter game wherein every weapon is just a strange and niche gun from this channel. Best part is licensing would be a lot easier given how many are genuinely "Forgotten weapons"
Weird question here, since these are recoil operated revolvers, technically, could you make them full auto? I know that would be pointless, would be hilarious.
In theory yes, tho I do wonder how the fire control group would be installed since it'll probably take a big space to fit it in Or we just skip the fire select part and make it safe/FA only lel
I fired a couple cylinders of .45ACP ball from my non-reciprocating Webley, and God knows how many essentially proof loads had been fired in the 60 years before I got it, but it was still going strog when I got reloading dies and made up factory-pressure loads. Really need to get so .45 Auto Rim brass so I can have the proper shower of cases on ejection, the moonclips are kinda boring.
I want one of these wonderful revolvers, and an early savage 99, and a webley 1902 falling block big game rifle, and a cased pair of Holland and Holland royals, and a Swiss p210. You don't think i am being greedy do you ?
Did... Any of you guys get a video in your Recommended about a Czech AK? I put it in my Watch Later list, but it went missing... halp. Am I losing what little sanity I have?! AUGH!!!
As always Ian, very interesting video, presented in immaculate style. Sounds like I'm brown nosing a but I'm not, I just appreciate the information and the way it's presented, thanks for sharing.
All types of Webleys come with trench whistles and a generous, sweeping mustache. True story.
And a cuppa tea
I'll take the trench whistle, thank you...
Can confirm sweeping mustache.
Early ones came with either mutton chops or tusks and a Martini Henry rifle.
I forgot, they also came with a used, blood coverd assegai, and blood stained Zulu sheild with .45 holes in it.
Oddly, the swagger stick comes separately.
This video gives me the possibly ill-fated hope of owning a Webley-Fosbery.
That´s a bad sickness for the wallet, i feel for you. My decease is a Beaumont Adams in good shooting condition....
Lucas Hagg i live in the uk surely I should have the right to own one of these really interesting pieces of British history.... but no it’s too dangerous:(
@@parallel-knight "I live in the UK"
"surely I have rights"
that's where you're wrong, subjecterino
@@polygondwanaland8390 Well, to be fair, you DID leave out "should."
@@polygondwanaland8390 "I live in the US"
"surely my right to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed"
that's where the NFA and many state gun laws say you're wrong, citizenerino
Get tired of firing the same old .455 Webley Fosbery every day? Chin up, old chap! Drop by this month's offering from Rock Island Auctions and you can have one for each day of the week!
Which one goes with the thigh high boots and red bandolier-mankini?
I'm really surprised one of the Halloween shoots hasn't been Ian in full Zardoz kit.
If there's one thing I learned from that film, it's that Friend is renegade.
THE GUN IS GOOD
Looks like a final markwww.imfdb.org/wiki/Zardoz
Everybody seems to forget he also wears a wedding gown in that film
I'm writing a dissertation on the authenticity of World War One in video games and am including a section on the weapons used in Battlefield 1 and Verdun, and this is exactly the type of video I need right now with all the archives closed to the public.
Thanks a bunch Ian, I'll be sure to use this and many of your other videos in my research. Keep up the good work!
If you haven't already done so check out C&Rsenal's primer series, it's an ongoing project to cover every issue firearm used by any military in WW1
You'll have your work cut out for you with battelfield 1, from what I've seen
@@misterthegeoff9767 Don't worry I have, Othias and Mae are going to be invaluable too since I now can't get my hands on any collections' guns
@@williamkeith8944 Yeah it's for an MA, I'm sure gun Jesus will help me get through writing 20K words in a breeze
Webley-Fosbery seems like how the Citroen cars have been addressed sometimes - perfect solutions to non-existent problems.
Don't get me wrong, it's an interesting concept, but it's also adding complexity and weight, and for a handgun that's in general not wanted, at least in military applications.
Yeah but you cant help but love them, just like those silly French automobiles(or are they Italian? I cant recall)
Bear in mind that they were designed in 1901 - the semi-auto market was still in flux at the time. I've always thought of them as a period equivalent of the modern Chiappa and Mateba revolvers, e.g. a niche product for a small market. If WW1 had never highlighted the concept's flaws we would probably remember them more fondly today.
@@AshleyPomeroy
I do not know if comparing them to the Chiappa revolver(s) is fair, unless you are only talking about self-cocking and self-aligning (of the cylinder) revolvers.
Since the grip angle on the Chiappa Rhino does offer a significant benefit regarding muzzle clime and possibly felt recoil - at least in theory.
@@jonasstrzyz2469 that's not a theory, a friend of mine has a rhino and there's almost zero muzzle flip, all the recoil comes straight back. Even with full power .357 +p.
Webley made the Gabbett-Fairfax Mars. I think it's safe to say they weren't _that_ bothered about weight or complexity. :)
Me before clicking on the video: Huh. Two unique Webley variations?
Me after clicking the video and seeing the pile: *HOLY MOTHER OF ELIZABETH!*
The Queen Mum approves!
Her name, in case you were wondering, was Elizabeth.
@@aaronleverton4221 I've always thought that must have been somewhat confusing.
@@wesleygay8918 Nah, in practice their first names were Princess and Queen, and then after The king died, Queen and Queen Mother.
A fascinating exploration of what looks like a basic, mark one "revolver" but with so much more. I've read so many books where, at some point, a minor character has a "big old Webley revolver..." as if it were a lesser weapon. No such thing at all.
I agree though-- should come issued with big mustache, lanyard and walking stick.
What sort of books would those be?
@@Reikianolla Oh, like an old Alistair MacLean book, or other thriller books written in the 60's and 70's. I remember "Webley" mentioned a couple of times. Harder to find those books as libraries around here have taken them off the shelves due to poor circulation.
@@vtbmwbiker In one of Len Deighton's books (Line, I think) the main character uses his father's wartime Webley and another character who doesn't know who it is or what gun it is thinks to himself "...a too damn professional someone with a a god-damn hand-cannon" or something similar when the bullets start flying.
A moustache is grown, not issued. Once a suitably magnificent moustache is grown, then the necessary paperwork can be submitted for the lanyard and walking stick. There is an argument that a Gentleman should already have a suitable walking stick, hence only the lanyard required.
Not walking stick - riding crop.
I shall continue to aspire to obtain one of these but I need a Lee Enfield No.4 T first.
My dad had a Lithgow Mk 2 1918 Lee Enfield. I'll jump straight to the Webley. When my bank manager agrees.
The Lee-Enfield No.4 Mk.1 (T) is widely regarded, across all my books on snipers, sniping, and the rifles used, as being the best sniper rifle made, by Allied and Axis forces both, of WWII. Yes, by today's standards, it's a pretty heavy gun; and it isn't sub-MOA. That saying, in decent hands, a decent five shot group, of within -- iirc -- 1 MOA @ 300+ yrds, is definitely possible, and probable at 400+ yrds. In fact, if you do the Mad Minute with one, you'll be surprised how well you can do, given the famous short-throw bolt ...
In fact, there is an apocryphal story, that is more than likely true, that when German troops attacked a BEF position, in the early stages of WWI, those that made it back swore that they were being hit by machine gun fire, such was the rapidity of the incoming shots ...
But I digress. If you are serious looking for a No.4 Mk.1, do try and find one, not only with its transport case, but also with the metal tin for the scope itself (the No.23 Mk.3 is the go-to, as that was the best iteration of the telescopic sights for that rifle), plus the full equipment schedule, such as the collapsible spooting scope, and case; rifle bag; and much else besides. Very hard to find, and your bank manager will have an aneurysm, but given its historic value, it will be worth it ...
«Yes. Webley-Fosbery Automatic
Revolver, thirty-eight, eight shot. They don't make them anymore.»
Nice Maltese Falcon reference
@@gunsandblanks706 Actually what he says is: Yes. Webley-Fosbery Automatic
Revolver, FORTY-FIVE, eight shot. They don't make them anymore.» (yes, it's technically incorrect)
@@johndonaldson3619 - That's indeed what he says on the screen. But even in the script Sam Spade said "...thirty-eight, eight shot."
Gin Soaked Boy -- Whoops, sorry, man, I didn't read ahead before I made my reference to the Maltese Falcon movie script. No copy-catting intended. ;) I should have known someone else watching this would beat me to it. ;)
Something about the bluing on webley revolvers is really attractive.
Yes, i wonder how it was done. I have a webley target revolver and the bluing is really nice, like old colts.
Agreed. I noticed that as well. Also, most of those guns were virtually pristine. They obviousky did nit see hard use and were well cared for.
Break open revolvers are so cool. Much more practical than other designs.
More durable than swing out cylinder for sure
@@elgringosupremo Swing ou cylinders are much more durable and are much stronger than the break open.
The various Webleys and a few American made 22 LR revolvers were the last of the break-open designs and the 22s went the way of all the others in the 1980s.
The break-open could be faster on the reload, (and probably was with the vast majority of humans) but even the relatively low-powered late-model Webleys were too weak to reliably hold up to such high-pressure cartridges as the 38 Special and the .44 Special. The advent of the .357 Magnum was the death knell of almost all of the less-than-robust revolver designs., it didn't matter that a specific maker had no intention to build .357 Magnum revolvers, it was that it showed that technology had made a significant change.
As to the question of durability, for the most part, the revolver as a martial design was phased out by the British Empire, as the last wide-spread user of the design starting in the 1930sto be replaced by semi-autos. The last major hold-outs for revolvers for police and law-enforcement uses were the thousands of US law enforcement organizations, federal, state and local of which virtually none used the faster-to-reload break open designs.
The reasons for the lack of break-open designs? Testing had found a lack of the robustness of the design, the fragility of the components and the comparative ease of access of dirt, sand, and dust into the actions. This was added to the fact that full-powered loads even with such low-pressure cartridges such as the British .38-200 could 'stretch' the frame under prolonged use.
Oh, almost forgot, the Japanese police hung onto the double-action pistol design for some of their officers until well into the 1980s as well. But they had used swing-out cylinders, not the break open designs.
BTW, for me, I really like shooting a break-open revolver and it is pretty nice to be able to fire the rounds, hit the release, let the barrel to pivot away, and lever the barrel open to eject the empties, then be able to quickly load new cartridges.
@igor šajinović the design is fundimentally flawed in terms of how forces are distributed through the frame. With today's metallurgy it would be technically possible to make higher chamber pressure top-break revolvers, _but they would always be heavier and bulkier_ than the swing-out version of the same calibur. On a durability vs weight basis the swing-out is superior, and weight is an important factor in the practicality of a gun. I would say the third most important factor, after caliber and capacity.
@@KingHalbatorix I forget the correct name of the revolvers that fire out the bottom of the cylinder vs the top of the cylinder, but if someone had to have it and wanted to spend the money it would seem that moving the hinge point as close to the barrel axis as possible would reduce strain on the locking latch.
If you ever get to Australia the War Memorial Canberra, Lithgow Factory Museum and Ron Owens museum in Gympie Queensland would be a must for you. There was also a fantastic museum in Illfracombe Queensland of a working specimen of nearly every small arm used in WW2.
If you ever get the chance, watch "Zardoz" with Sean Connery. There is a scene in the movie where Sean picks up a pistol from a pile of weapons and it is one of these, you can clearly see the recoil groves in the cylinder.
Ian just needs a set of thigh-high boots and orange Mankini to complete his Halloween costume.
If you watch really closely you can see him re-cock it between shots, since the blanks didn't cycle the action.
@@gtwannabe2 Feels like wearing nothing at all!
I have the film on blu-ray - the director's commentary is priceless. It was shot in Ireland and John Boorman found it very difficult to get hold of huge quantities of blank-firing guns until some local outdoors enthusiasts helped him.
For some reason I was thinking it was a regular Webley, not a Fosbery so I went looking for photos and at first I thought I was right since I found a good close up of Connery holding it and I couldn't see the slide part. Then I realized I couldn't see it because his grip was so high that if he actually fired it like that, he would lose half his hand.
The first time I ever heard about the Webley Fosbery was watching the Maltese Falcon with my Dad and I wondered what type of firearm that was for years. Sam Spade says they were unique and that they don't make them anymore. I had no idea how unique they were until years later. Thanks for the video.
Automatic revolver... hmmm very unique and every time I see these (I have never seen one in person but Ian’s amazing content has shown these before I think...).
I wish good health and all the best to you and yours!
A .38 Fosbery?!! Eight shots!? This is my unicorn revolver. Thank you so much Ian :)
Imagine a modern reproduction chambered in .357 mag.
"Got him right through the pump--with this." "Webley-Fosbery automatic revolver. That's it. Thirty-eight, eight shot. They don't make them any more. How many gone out of it?" ~The Maltese Falcon 1941
Actually what he says is: FORTY-FIVE, eight shot. (yes, it's technically incorrect)
John Donaldson It was a mistake on the screenwriters part - they didn’t know the .45 only held 6 rounds.
I know my face lit up when i saw 7 of them on the table. All in great condition too, except for 1. I did not know there were so many variations. I always assumed they were a standard pattern. I should know better, given how many changes there were in Webleys over just a few years. British officer had to provide their own sidearms prior to WW1, so it is remotely possible that a few of them saw action in outposts of the Empire. The British were big believers in large bore revolvers for 'wog-smashing', and sometimes the locals took a lot of killing (see .577 Adams). Hamilton Bowen knows a few things about the .577, and has converted some Redhawks. Anyway, great video as always. Thank you
An odd gun and fun to shoot. I don't think they went over all that well and probably wouldn't have been a player at all had the Webleys not had such a horrendously hard double action trigger pull. The wonderful trigger pull (all things are relative) was the biggest thing I noticed shooting the Fosbury versus a standard Webley (which I typically shoot single only). Would like to see the 4-inch barrel version, as those are my favorite Webleys generally speaking.
I am no gun-nut and not a weapons expert but... i was surprised that there was so much mechanicals (for the lack of a better word) to a simple thing like a revolver - i really thought of them to be something like in wild west without much improvement - i didnt knew about the automatic cocking action and sliding upper part and all the details... i sort of got a new respect now for it.
(yes im a gun welp i only fired my dads stg90 at the range way back when he still was alive and the ammo manager for the shooting sports club)
Hey Ian or whoever, I'm wondering how much you think Battlefield 1 influenced interest in WWI firearms and history. While I can't say the same for Battlefield V, you mentioned Bf 1
resurrected the Hellriegel and I can imagine it did the same for other weapons. Playing Bf 1 is a part of why I'm here, and maybe it is for other people too.
I know that it sparked my interest in the M1912 pistol. Thankfully it's not the most expensive one to find examples of.
I wish some out fit in Turkey, Brazil or the Philippines would start making the short frame versions in .38 Special.
I love the mechanism but will never be able to afford one.
Probably can't afford a reissue either.
Looks like a lot of machining and assembly work in one of those.
A nickel plated Webley Fozbery, that must be a wondrous sight to behold.
Steampunk Allan Quartermain dual Webley-Fosbery's and a Thorneycroft searching for King Solomon's mines.
If only some of the Webley-Fosberys made it to my country, I'd love to own one of them.
Congratulations on your site. The first day and over 15,000 views already. Well done.
In the film, The Maltese Falcon, Sam Spades' partner was shot with a Webley-Fosbery
Thank you very much for the review! Fosbury is a wonderful revolver!
n the 'Maltese Falcon", when Spade is discussing the murder of Archer with Tom Polhaus, Polhaus says the murder weapon is a "Webley." Spade then goes on to describe the weapon as a "Webley-Forsby (sic), .45 Automatic, 8-shot.", In the book, the weapon is correctly referred to as a .38 caliber, 8-shot.
I'm a simple man: I see seven Webley-Fosberys, I zig-zag my cursor to the like button and pull the mouse trigger.
My great great grandfather designed and built this gun as well as the Holland and Holland paradox.
When I see Ian with an array of very similar looking guns in a row on the table I get parallel thoughts about when I open an entire tube of tennis balls and dump them all out on the floor for my dog and watch the mayhem.
Now that you've introduced me to all the different variants I wouldn't know which one to bid on.
I like the detail and am I'mpressed by the info you share. Thanks,
Briefly featured in The Maltese Falcon (1941)
didnt spade get description wrong?
gun that killed archer
I’d have to watch the film again. I remember Spade (Bogey) pulling the gun off a dead body near the base of the Golden Gate Bridge. He looks at it and comments “Webley -Fosbury”. Just a clever film detail to let the audience know Spade knew his stuff.
Brilliant; love these latest videos, how your explaining the differences between different hand gun models, it’s great
Absolutely beautiful! I wish you had put this video out before I modeled this thing, it would've been great for reference images. In my opinion the 1901 looks far more elegant than the later models.
Thank you , Ian .
Our god declares this gun is good.
I’ve always been fascinated with the Camelot Delvinge 1873. Is it possible for you to do a video on them?
Interesting. I've never seen this in a revolver. Thanks.
Fireplace guy will buy them all.
They are truly beautiful guns .
A bit of a minor advantage these have over a typical semi auto pistol, a double action trigger pull will still advance to the next chamber if the gun fails to cycle. That said, magazine fed pistols have achieved a level of reliability where there’s probably a better chance of this getting stuck between chambers than of a semi auto malfunctioning.
I kid you not: Connecticut's original "adult weapons" ban included automatic revolvers, because gangsters be using rare firearms with obscure cartages.
I'm here for a Zardos reference.
"A Webley. English, ain't it?"
"Yes. A Webley-Fosbery automatic revolver, thirty-eight, eight shot. They don't make them anymore."
And that is a sad, sad thing, indeed. I love early turn-of-the-Twentieth-Century designs when pretty much everything was some sort of wild idea or innovation, practical or not. Late Steam Punk, I suppose. Beautiful examples and I don't know if I'd be able to sit at a table with seven such fine examples and not feel that life could hold no more wonder. ;)
"The Big Sleep", 1946
You learn something new everyday. Until now I didn't know there are cycling automatic revolvers.
The first book I owned that detailed mentioned its usability along the lines of "...susceptible to mud, of which there was no shortage on the Western Front."
Very cool pistols.
Will the early pistols fire the 2nd generation ammo?
I think so but don't take my word for it.
I have a completely new respect for defense distributed and their shotgun design.
Man I love the idea of a automatic revolver just because it sound so contradicting and also because they're cool as hell
Combine this with auto ejection and you have the ultimate steampunk revolver.
Nothing says empire to me more than these revolvers
Also, what a huge safety lever with big "SAFE" word on it
5:31, Filthy dirty bore. I would have my smoke wagon shining like the Chrysler Building if I knew Gun Jesus was going to be handling it.
Mr. Rube Goldberg was a consulting engineer on these monsters.
No no on, it was Mr Heath Robinson!!!
There is something just so uniquely British about the Fosbery.
The problem with this revolver is that if the grooves get dirty the gun can't work proprely. If i remember correctly this is the same reason that doomed the Pancor Jackhammer shotgun, the cyliinder was to susceptible to dirt.
Interesting. I hadn't realized they varied that much.
today I learned that automatic revolvers exist
Ascdren Some of the coolest and inutile guns ever, I love them
The mateba is probably the best if the bunch. Basically a chiappa rhino autorevolver in .357.
I didn't know there was such a thing.
@@ScottKenny1978 it has other caliber options as well, goes up to .454 casull, which would be a wrist-breaker if not for the recoil action
These are very cool. When you shoot one are they startling because the cylinder moves back?
I really hope Ian can do a video about the Mateba Unica 6.
I’m British live in UK. Every time I see something about this auto-revolver It just makes me want one even more but nope anyone who wants gun in the UK is a crazy person or a terrorist :/ so unfair...
Only handguns, A mate of mine has a collection of old military black powder rifles, martini-henrys and such like. So if you want to get into guns in the UK there's avenues you can follow.
I know it's not the same but how about a deactivated one? I don't know much about british law tbh.
I think you'll find firearms ownership in the UK is at it's highest since the 70's and is still on the up.
Change only happens by campaigning and reasoning, not by acceptance of what is "the norm"
giggles0051 mate the day we can own firearms like in America will be the happiest day of my entire life
@@parallel-knight If you seriously want to get into it join a club and look into the law. Shotguns are relatively easy to get licences for but you can also get licences for things like old military bolt action rifles or even modern stuff as long as it's not semi-automatic
"THE GUN IS GOOD!"
Gonna have to see the Mateba 6 Unica one of these dayse lol
I also would love to see a video on the Mateba Sei Unica once...
try the property dept of the san francisco pd ian for an 02 .38.it was the gun mary astor shot sam spades partner with in the maltese falcon! lol!
Did the extractor just yeet out of the gun at @5:49 ?
I had to look twice, but it seems to work as intended. Extracts the empties then snaps back out of the way for reloading. Sure looked like it launched across the room though, it snaps forward again so fast the movement mostly happened between video frames.
awesome vid brother! thanks!
Those look the size of a S&W mag 500, cool.
Super cool. Wish I could afford one.
I'd love to know more. Perhaps someone should write a book? 🤔
You had me at that 4.55 clickbaiting start
When my father was training in the British army around the mid 50s, his sargeant major told him in a real fight not use his revolver, it would make him stick out like a sore thumb, it was an excellent man stopper apparently though. These webleys seem overly complex.
I can't believe that such a puny spring can handle the recoil.
Leverage.
Such a cool gun.
My dream pistol. Break action semi auto. Now only if I had the money.
In The Maltese Falcon Humphrey Bogart mentions that his business partner was murdered with a Webley Fosbery. He says "They don't make 'em any more".
Love my Webley but I never knew about the automatic version. Very cool. Do NOT like the low powered ammo and the difficulty finding it. Thanks.
Are you referring to the Fiocchi? I know it is a main source of the ammo.
@@troy9477 no. The standard casing is so small and short. Does not make for a fast bullet imho
The only one of these I ever saw up close belonged to a cowboy in South Dakota. He got drunk one night and shot his big toe off with the blasted gun. He was not a happy cowboy, the bartender at the bar where it happened was not all that happy either, you were not allowed to carry in bars back then, so the dude got a ticket as well as loosing his big toe. What a nimrod.
in my sleep deprived stupor i thought it was just another webley revolver video
I wouldn't be able to stop myself from racking that pistol all day😆. It's just plain satisfying.
Did anyone else see the cartridge extractor launch to the right when the revolver was opened at 5:50?
Yep.
There's a lot of different types of revolvers
The lot numbers in the description don't pull up any Webley-Fosbery pistols, nor are any listed on RIA's site.
You are probably searching in their next online-only auction, not the premiere.
I'm man of simple tastes. I see auto-revolver, I give like.
The cylinder reminds of the Pancor Jackhammer.
I almost want to design an aerna shooter game wherein every weapon is just a strange and niche gun from this channel. Best part is licensing would be a lot easier given how many are genuinely "Forgotten weapons"
Weird question here, since these are recoil operated revolvers, technically, could you make them full auto? I know that would be pointless, would be hilarious.
In theory yes, tho I do wonder how the fire control group would be installed since it'll probably take a big space to fit it in
Or we just skip the fire select part and make it safe/FA only lel
I wonder if we will ever see this on C&Rsenal's channel?
Dear future owners. Just... Don't try to convert them to .45 due to "Unexpectable Consequences"
I fired a couple cylinders of .45ACP ball from my non-reciprocating Webley, and God knows how many essentially proof loads had been fired in the 60 years before I got it, but it was still going strog when I got reloading dies and made up factory-pressure loads. Really need to get so .45 Auto Rim brass so I can have the proper shower of cases on ejection, the moonclips are kinda boring.
Didn't Uberti make a .357 auto-revolver back in the 1980s?
When you need to steal a Maltese Falcon in San Francisco
I have a Mk.I, a Mk.4, and a Mk.6 in my collection, of course I want a Webley-Fosbery. I just can't afford one.
You mean a Mk.IV and a Mk.VI.
Thank you for this video!!!
Automatic revolver?! 🧐
Fabulous video.
I want one of these wonderful revolvers, and an early savage 99, and a webley 1902 falling block big game rifle, and a cased pair of Holland and Holland royals, and a Swiss p210. You don't think i am being greedy do you ?
You are man of great taste. Do you have any Grey Poupon? 🧐
Ian is Gun Jesus, not Gun Santa Claus.
I heard your bank account cry out in terror before suddenly being silenced.
Did... Any of you guys get a video in your Recommended about a Czech AK?
I put it in my Watch Later list, but it went missing... halp.
Am I losing what little sanity I have?! AUGH!!!
As always Ian, very interesting video, presented in immaculate style. Sounds like I'm brown nosing a but I'm not, I just appreciate the information and the way it's presented, thanks for sharing.
7:26: ".455 Cordite Only". Does this mean that the revolver only fires cordite ammo?
It means don't use black powder ammo.
@@ForgottenWeapons Alright, thanks.
Albert Dryden is a hero