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LOT 533
Rare and Outstanding Steyr
Model 1893 Gas Trap Double Action Revolver Serial
Number 116 - Serial no. 116, 8 mm cal., 5 1/4 inch round bbl., blue finish, hardwood grips. Developed for possible sale to the Austrian Army, the 1893 Gas
Trap Revolver never left the prototype stages, with less than 100 believed manufactured in total. A novel design, the 1893 uses a spring-loaded movable cylinder that is automatically
pressed forward during the firing cycle to enclose and engage the breech of the barrel and seal the cylinder to the breech. The gas gap between the cylinder and barrel is an issue endemic to revolving weapons, and most designers were willing to treat it as a necessary evil; the most
famous design to confront the problem head-on was the Russian/Soviet Nagant Model 1895, which used a mobile cylinder arrangement similar to this Steyr. Blade front and notch rear sights,
with the serial number on the left side of the barrel and the frame, with “WAFFENFABRIK/STEYR” on the left side plate. The serial number is repeated in full on multiple components, including the backs of the grip panels. A fine golden
straw finish is present on a number of components, including the hammer and cylinder assembly,
with a niter blue lanyard ring on the butt and checkered hardwood grips. A pair of “eagle/N”
German commercial proofs are present, one on the underside of the barrel and the other on the
face of the cylinder; this would suggest that the revolver made it’s way to Germany and was proof
fired sometime c.1940-1945.
CONDITION: Excellent, with 98% of the original blue finish, showing a few scratches on the
sideplate, mild edge wear and light handling marks overall. The original straw colors are 95% intact,
strong and bright throughout, with some turn marks on the cylinder. The grips are very good, with
a few dark spots and dings. Mechanically excellent. An exceptionally rare European martial revolver
in outstanding condition.
Estimate: 9,500 - 16,000
LOT 534
Scarce Webley-Fosbery Model 1901/3 Automatic Target Revolver with Case - Serial no. 3991, 455 cal., 7 /2 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut grips.
Manufactured in limited quantity (approximately 4,000 total, all variations), the Webley-Fosbery was meant as a counter-point to the early semi-automatic pistols then emerging on the market, providing the large-bore firepower and relative mechanical simplicity of a revolver with the smooth single- action operation of an automatic. While mechanically novel, the tide of history was on the side of the semi-autos, with Browning’s designs in particular able to scratch the firepower itch. This particular Webley-Fosbery is a scarce target model, with a long 7 1/2 inch barrel, Patridge blade front sight and drift adjustable raised notch rear sight. Matching numbers on the barrel and frame, and “WEBLEY-FOSBERY” on the
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left side of the top strap. The left frame side plate bears the “flying bullet” trademark ahead of “455 CORDITE”, with “SAFE” in raised letters on the left grip panel. Fitted with a lanyard ring. Included with the revolver is a blue felt lined hardwood case with a brass cleaning rod and a Webley-Fosbery label in the lid, as well as a set of documents including a 2009 dated import form. CONDITION: Very fine as professionally restored, with 95% plus blue finish, showing mild handling marks and spotting. The revarnished grips are very good, with some flat spots on the checkering and minor dings. The case shows some scuffs, stains and dents. Mechanically excellent. Provenance: The Clive Cussler Collection. Estimate: 6,500 - 9,500