Produced in limited quantities at the turn of the 20th century, the Webley-Fosbery uses a novel recoil driven operating system. The pistol is divided into two main components; an upper frame carrying the barrel, cylinder, and the hammer is mated to the lower grip frame and single action trigger and disconnector assembly on a spring loaded track. On discharge the recoil energy drives the entire upper frame back along the track recocking the hammer and advancing the cylinder. While this mechanism combines many of the positive features of both a revolver and an automatic pistol, it did not catch on, and the revolver was supplanted by the automatic as the primary sidearm of the military, police and civilians. As discussed in an appraisal form from noted author and arms authority Charles Kenyon, Jr. (copy included), only about 5,000 were manufactured, the majority were in the more common seven inch barrel configuration, and very few made it to the United States. Blade front and notch rear sights, with "WEBLEY FOSBERY AUTOMATIC" on the left side of the top strap and "455 CORDITE ONLY." next to the "winged bullet" trademark on the left side plate of the lower frame. The top strap is marked "ARMY & NAVY C.S.L.", the merchant mark of the Army & Navy Co-Operative Society; originally formed to get participating military members low prices on goods, the Co-Operative Society grew into a sizeable department store chain, including a firearms department. The sales records are retained by the Archive Services department of the University of Glasgow, which might provide insight into the original owner. The hammer is checkered on three sides, with Birmingham proofs on multiple components, a safety switch on the left side of the lower frame, a pair of checkered grips and a lanyard swivel on the butt.

Very fine, with 75% plus original blue finish, with areas of brown patina, bright edge wear, and scattered spotting. The grips are good, with small cracks and chips on either side near the butt, a few lost sections of checkering on the left panel, and mild dents. Mechanically excellent.