Page 347 - Auction84-Book2
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   LOT 1688 Webley-Fosbery Automatic Revolver with Desirable 6 Inch Barrel - Serial no. 3447, 455 Webley cal., 6 inch solid rib bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. This is reportedly a Model 1903 variant of the Webley-Fosbery revolver designed by Lt. Col. G. V. Fosbery which utilizes a novel “automatic” mechanism. It is a true revolver with cartridges held in a six shot cylinder, but the cylinder is automatically turned by the force of recoil. At the pull of the trigger the top section of the revolver slides backwards, cocks the hammer, and simultaneously indexes the cylinder one position using zig-zag grooves. This mechanism allows for a faster
rate of fire compared to a standard double or single action revolver, while still maintaining the same responsive trigger pull of a single action. The Fosbery design was reported to have been as fast, if not faster, than its magazine fed semi-automatic counterparts, and just as fast to reload utilizing the top break system with a six shot speed loader. Blade front sight and the rear sight integral to the top strap latch. The top barrel rib is marked “P.WEBLEY & SON.LONDON & BIRMINGHAM.” The top strap left side is marked “WEBLEY·FOSBERY”. The left side of the frame is marked with the “winged bullet/W&S” trademark followed by “455 CORDITE”. Serial number “3447” is marked on the right side of the frame and on the left side grip frame. The matching partial serial number “447” is marked on the face of the cylinder, “447” below the cylinder arbor, and some small parts. Fitted with checkered walnut grips and a lanyard loop. CONDITION: Fair, retains traces of the original blue finish, primarily in sheltered areas, with the balance mostly an artificial smooth grey patina and a few scattered patches of light pitting. The grips are also fair with some scattered minor dings and scratches and otherwise mostly crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent.
  LOT 1689
Desirable Mauser Model 1878 11 mm Zig-Zag Revolver - Serial no. 2319, 11 mm cal., 5 1/2 inch round bbl., blue finish, hard rubber
grips. This is a scarce early production Mauser Model 1878 revolver with the hinged frame. The revolver was nicknamed Zig-Zag because of the parallel and inclined grooves
machined into the outside of the cylinder which actually rotates the cylinder during firing. As noted
this is the hinged frame model with the ring-type cylinder locking lever located ahead of the trigger guard,
and a safety latch on the left side of the frame that prevents the cylinder from rotating when engaged. The top of the barrel rib is roll- engraved “WAFFENFABRIK MAUSER OBERNDORF A/NECKAR”. The left side of the barrel lug has a double crown over a single “U” proof mark over
serial number “2319”. The back side of the ring lever, rear of the cylinder, lower locking lug on the frame and back side of each grip are correctly numbered “319”. The revolver has the later style round-butt with the lanyard loop on the end of the butt. It is fitted with a two-piece set of hard rubber grips
with a stylized floral and vine pattern around the edges with the center section being checkered. These pistols have a rust blue finish with a casehardened finish on the cylinder latch, trigger and hammer. These revolvers were later chambered in the 9mm Mauser cartridge. Although very well manufactured and reliable, the Mauser Model 1878
was expensive to manufacture and had limited commercial sales. They remained in service with the German Army for 18-20 years until it was replaced by the 1896 Mauser pistol. Examples of this distinctive Mauser revolver are scarce. CONDITION: Very fine with 80% plus of the blue finish overall with blue wear on the edges, and thinning on the lower rear grip strap, sides of the cylinder and front sides of the barrel. The grips are in very fine condition overall showing only minor light wear across the grips. As noted this highly desirable early Mauser pistol has all matching numbers. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 7,000 - 9,500
Estimate: 11,000 - 16,000
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