The Mateba Autorevolver (also Mateba Model 6 Unica) is one of the few types of hybrid automatic revolver handguns ever made.. In the past the Webley-Fosbery was also made, but this weapon has been out of production for more than sixty years.
The Unica functions as follows: The first triggerpull is a normal double action pull, it cocks the hammer, and then releases it, firing the gun. Upon firing the upper part of the frame recoils. This movement then cocks the hammer, and automatically rotates the cylinder. When the upper frame has completely recoiled, it is pushed forward again by a spring. When it has returned to its forward position the gun is ready to fire another shot, only this time a light pull in Single-Action mode, as the hammer is already cocked and the cylinder rotated.
The revolvers construction involves two major parts: the lower and the upper frame assembly. The lower assembly houses the trigger mechanism, a strong spring and the grip, and on top are a pair of rails, on which the upper frame assembly rides. The upper assembly holds the interchangable barrel and shroud, the cylinder, and the safety mechanism. The upper assembly is held in place by a spring, and a crossbolt prevents the assembly from moving off the lower frame. The cylinder itself swings out like that of any other revolver. It was developed in Italy and sold by the Mateba company. Emilio Ghisoni is listed as the owner of US Patent #4,712,466 which details the operation of the weapon.
The Mateba Mo. 6 uses the recoil from firing to rotate the cylinder and cock the hammer, unlike conventional revolvers, which depend on the user physically pulling the trigger and/or cocking the hammer to actuate the weapon's mechanism of operation.
The Mateba Autorevolver's barrel alignment is different from most other revolvers. The barrel is aligned with the bottom of the cylinder instead of the top. This lowers the bore sight (line of the barrel) which directs the recoil in line with the shooter's hand thereby reducing the twisting motion or "muzzle flip" of normal revolvers or pistols.
Variants
The following are variants of the Mateba revolver
Defense - 4" barrel, .357-Magnum
Home Protection - 5" Barrel, .44-Remington Magnum
Dynamic Sportiva - either 5" or 6" barrel, .357-Magnum
Hunter - 8-3/8" barrel, either in .44-SW Special or .44-Remington Magnum
In addition, their barrels can be changed with interchangeable 3", 4", 5", 6", 7" and 8" inch barrels.
Mateba Grifone
Also available was the Mateba Grifone, which mated an 18-inch barrel, fore and butt stock to the Autorevolver's frame and action. It was available in .357 Magnum and .44 Magnum chamberings.
Mateba Autorevolvers chambered in .357 Magnum can be loaded with .38 Special ammunition but typical .38 Special loads do not have enough power to fully cycle the recoil mechanism although the weapon will still function with a double action trigger pull. There are two optional recoil springs designed specifically for .38 Special cartridges that can be installed by the operator to overcome this problem (.38 Special and .38 Wadcutter). Replacing the spring requires the removal of the slide assembly, which is blocked by a retaining pin held in place by a small set screw in the triggerguard. The barrel shroud acts as the spring keeper and guide rod bushing.
Do other autorevolvers exist ?
The Unica functions as follows: The first triggerpull is a normal double action pull, it cocks the hammer, and then releases it, firing the gun. Upon firing the upper part of the frame recoils. This movement then cocks the hammer, and automatically rotates the cylinder. When the upper frame has completely recoiled, it is pushed forward again by a spring. When it has returned to its forward position the gun is ready to fire another shot, only this time a light pull in Single-Action mode, as the hammer is already cocked and the cylinder rotated.
The revolvers construction involves two major parts: the lower and the upper frame assembly. The lower assembly houses the trigger mechanism, a strong spring and the grip, and on top are a pair of rails, on which the upper frame assembly rides. The upper assembly holds the interchangable barrel and shroud, the cylinder, and the safety mechanism. The upper assembly is held in place by a spring, and a crossbolt prevents the assembly from moving off the lower frame. The cylinder itself swings out like that of any other revolver. It was developed in Italy and sold by the Mateba company. Emilio Ghisoni is listed as the owner of US Patent #4,712,466 which details the operation of the weapon.
The Mateba Mo. 6 uses the recoil from firing to rotate the cylinder and cock the hammer, unlike conventional revolvers, which depend on the user physically pulling the trigger and/or cocking the hammer to actuate the weapon's mechanism of operation.
The Mateba Autorevolver's barrel alignment is different from most other revolvers. The barrel is aligned with the bottom of the cylinder instead of the top. This lowers the bore sight (line of the barrel) which directs the recoil in line with the shooter's hand thereby reducing the twisting motion or "muzzle flip" of normal revolvers or pistols.
Variants
The following are variants of the Mateba revolver
Defense - 4" barrel, .357-Magnum
Home Protection - 5" Barrel, .44-Remington Magnum
Dynamic Sportiva - either 5" or 6" barrel, .357-Magnum
Hunter - 8-3/8" barrel, either in .44-SW Special or .44-Remington Magnum
In addition, their barrels can be changed with interchangeable 3", 4", 5", 6", 7" and 8" inch barrels.
Mateba Grifone
Also available was the Mateba Grifone, which mated an 18-inch barrel, fore and butt stock to the Autorevolver's frame and action. It was available in .357 Magnum and .44 Magnum chamberings.
Mateba Autorevolvers chambered in .357 Magnum can be loaded with .38 Special ammunition but typical .38 Special loads do not have enough power to fully cycle the recoil mechanism although the weapon will still function with a double action trigger pull. There are two optional recoil springs designed specifically for .38 Special cartridges that can be installed by the operator to overcome this problem (.38 Special and .38 Wadcutter). Replacing the spring requires the removal of the slide assembly, which is blocked by a retaining pin held in place by a small set screw in the triggerguard. The barrel shroud acts as the spring keeper and guide rod bushing.
Do other autorevolvers exist ?
