Gabbet-Fairfax Mars
Webley & Scott · Pistol · Discontinued · 1901
Also known as: Mars Automatic Pistol, Mars Pistol, Gabbett-Fairfax Mars
Overview
The Gabbet-Fairfax Mars is a long-recoil, rotating-bolt semi-automatic pistol designed by Hugh Gabbett-Fairfax around the turn of the 20th century and built by Webley & Scott and Gabbett-Fairfax's own works. Chambered for the powerful .45 Mars Long and other proprietary Mars cartridges, it was among the most powerful self-loading pistols of its era. Its enormous recoil, mechanical complexity, and rearward ejection of spent cases over the shooter made it unpleasant to fire, and it was rejected by both the British and French militaries during trials. Only around 56 to 80 examples were ever built.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 1360 g (48.0 oz) |
| Overall Length | 311 mm (12.24") |
| Barrel Length | 241 mm (9.49") |
| Action Type | Long Recoil |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 8 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 381 m/s (1250 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 1035 J (763 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 50 m (55 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Slide Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- .45 Mars Long · primary — also known as .45 Long Mars, .45 Mars
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Features: Rotating Bolt, Rear Ejection, Grip Safety
Service history
Operators
- British Army (trials only)
- French Army (trials only)
Production
Estimated total produced: 80 · Production years: 1901-1907
Approximately 56 to 80 pistols built across all calibers; never adopted into service
Origin
Country of origin: United Kingdom
Designer: Hugh Gabbett-Fairfax
Discontinued: 1907
Notes
Famously described by one British trials officer who, asked if he would like to fire it again, replied that he would not. The Mars ejected spent cases rearward toward the shooter's face, a notable safety flaw. Also produced in .360 Mars, 8.5mm Mars, and .45 Mars Short.
Background
The Mars was so punishing to shoot that during British naval trials in 1902 the testers reportedly refused to fire a second magazine, and one officer remarked he had never been so glad to get rid of anything in his life. The cartridge's power was decades ahead of its time but the gun's complexity and brutal recoil doomed it.