---
title: "Gun of the Week: Webley-Fosbery Automatic Revolver"
description: "A semi-automatic revolver? Okay, I promise I am not committing an egregious terminology faux pas. In 1895, there really was a recoil-operated, automatic revolver invented. In the 1880s, semi-automatic technology was in its infancy. In 1885, Ferdinand Ritter von Mannlicher created the first successful semi-automatic rifle. 1893, the Borschardt C-93 semi-automatic pistol came into existence. And countless other variations on the semi-auto design surfaced."
date: "2015-08-26"
modified: "2015-08-26"
authors:
  - name: "Ashley Hlebinsky"
    link: "https://www.outdoorlife.com/authors/ashley-hlebinsky/"
url: "https://www.outdoorlife.com/blogs/gun-shots/gun-week-webley-fosbery-automatic-revolver/"
categories:
  - "Guns"
---

# Gun of the Week: Webley-Fosbery Automatic Revolver

![](<https://www.outdoorlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/23/3AQY5FDWWTHJ4ODI2OULGCE4CA.png>)

A semi-automatic revolver? Okay, I promise I am not committing an egregious terminology faux pas. In 1895, there really was a recoil-operated, automatic revolver invented.

In the 1880s, semi-automatic technology was in its infancy. In 1885, Ferdinand Ritter von Mannlicher created the first successful semi-automatic rifle. 1893, the Borschardt C-93 semi-automatic pistol came into existence. And countless other variations on the semi-auto design surfaced.

In 1895, Lieutenant Colonel George Vincent Fosbery designed his variation on this budding technology. In essence, the gun is cocked by moving the action-cylinder-barrel assembly back with one hand or through recoil, much like a slide on a standard semi-auto. Once in place, a pivoting lever cocks the hammer and a stud follows the zig-zag grooves, revolving the next chamber half way to the firing position. When the assembly moves forward the stud completes the revolution.

The Webley-Fosbery revolver was produced in from 1901 to 1915 by the English manufacturer Webley & Scott Revolver and Arms Co. It’s quirky to see two seemingly contradictory forms of pistol technology merged into one idea. Even if the concept only lasted a few years.

*To see the previous Gun of the Week—a* *Hopkins & Allen XL3 Double Action Revolver\_\_—[click here](<https://www.outdoorlife.com/category/guns/>). Stay tuned for [a new gun next week](<https://www.outdoorlife.com/category/guns/>). For more information, check out [the Cody Firearms Museum page here](<https://www.centerofthewest.org/explorefirearms/>), or follow the Cody Firearms Museum on [Facebook](<https://www.facebook.com/codyfirearmsmuseum/>) and [Twitter](<https://www.twitter.com/codyfirearms/>).*