Context
ABOUT THE RECIPIENT:
Major Ernest George Fosbery, MID
An original officer with the GGFG, he enlisted with the 77th Bn CEF prior to be transferred to our 87th Battalion (CGG).on July 7th, 1916 and severely wounded 4 months later while serving as Adjutant of the Battalion.
In 1918, he was appointed an official war artist with the rank of Major and amongst a variety of war subjects; he completed paintings for the Canadian War Memorials which included portraits of two Canadian Victoria Cross recipients: Pte. M.J. O'Rourke, V.C., and Sgt. W.T. Holmes, V.C., both of which are now in the Canadian War Memorials collection at the National Gallery of Canada.
During WWI, the Canadian government had put Lord Beaverbrook in charge of creating the Canadian War Records Office in London, and he made certain that news of Canada's contribution to the war was printed in Canadian and British newspapers.
However, Lord Beaverbrook had no knowledge of Canadian artists – it was only on the suggestion of Fosbery that he decided to give Canadian artists an opportunity to record the activity of their country's fighting forces. Thanks to Fosbery, Jackson was transferred to the Canadian War Records branch as an artist where he went on to create important pictures of events connected with the war, and later worked for the Canadian War Memorials as an official war artist from 1917 to 1919.
Following the war, Fosbery pursued his career as a portrait painter in Ottawa, raised a large family and was actively involved with the Royal Canadian Academy of the Arts, serving as President of the Academy from 1943 to 1948.
His paintings of prominent Canadians, including Viscount Byng of Vimy, Chief Justice Lyman Duff and the Honourable Ernest Manning, can be found in collections at the National Gallery, Library and Archives Canada, the House of Commons, the Canadian War Museum and elsewhere.
Fosbery died at Cowansville, Quebec on February 7, 1960.Make: Smith & Wesson
ABOUT THE REVOLVER:
Model: .455 Mark II Hand Ejector 2nd Model, named to Capt. E.G. Fosbery of the Canadian Expeditionary Force - Served with 87th Battalion Canadian Grenadier Guards (1916-1917) and earned a Mentioned in dispatches (MID) on 11 May 1917.
Serial Number: 43402
Year of Manufacture: 1915-1917
Caliber: .455 Mark II
Action Type: 6-Shot, Double Action / Single Action, Swing-Out, Fluted Cylinder Revolver
Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “SMITH & WESSON .455”, the top is marked “SMITH & WESSON SPRINGFIELD, MASS. U.S.A. / PATENTED OCT. 8. 1901. DEC. 17. 1901. FEB. 6. 1906.”. The butt of the grip frame, barrel flat, rear of the cylinder, rear flat of the yoke, and ejector star are marked with the serial number with the barrel flat marking preceded by “B”. The sideplate has the S&W monogram logo. There are inspection marks on the sides of the grip frame, yoke, and yoke cut. The backstrap is hand-marked “CAPT. E.G. FOSBERY 77TH O/s BN. C.E.F.”. The butt of the grip has a small crown over “11”. The left side of the frame is marked with crudely hand inscribed markings next to the trigger, we cannot decipher them.
Barrel Length: 6.5”, Pinned
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a rounded half-moon blade with a rectangular base, integral to the barrel. The rear sight is a “U” notch on the frame’s top strap.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are checkered walnut with smooth diamonds around the grip screws and brass S&W medallions. There are some scattered little compressions and draglines scattered over the smooth surfaces. The checkering is mostly strong with some scattered compressions. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in about Fine condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original but the barrel has been treated with cold blue.
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is one little spot of faint pinprick erosion.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 80% of its metal finish. The barrel has some mottled thinning and discoloration with some spots of erosion under the finish. There are some scattered scuffs, nicks, and scratches. Some of the marks through the finish have taken on discoloration. There is finish loss on the sides of the barrel at the muzzle. There is finish loss and thinning on the edges. There is a turn line through the finish on the cylinder. The screw heads show light use. The markings are clear. Overall, this handgun rates in about Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The cylinder produces light side-to-side play. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: Included is a leather flap holster. The loop is marked “HUGH CARSON Co. LTD. / OTTAWA 191”, the interior of the flap is marked “101”, and the exterior of the flap is marked with a broadhead inside “C”.Name/Title
Unknown