A very rare 9mm (Mars) self-loading pistol by Mars, retailed by Charles Lancaster, no. 37T

With original magazine

Footnotes

The Mars was invented by Hugh Gabbett-Fairfax, a civil engineer and small arms designer. The design was highly unusual, incorporating a rotating long-recoil system whereby the barrel and bolt moved together after firing, and the spent cartridge was ejected directly backwards as the new one was loaded.

It was initially contracted to be produced by Webley & Scott in 1898, however by 1900 the partnership had split. Gabbett-Fairfax then began personally funding the production, which began in 1901, but after producing approximately 56 pistols by the end of 1903 he had become bankrupt. A consortium of creditors came to his rescue and took over his patents and continued to fund the production. By 1907 the syndicate was also declared bankrupt and production ceased, for a total output of only around 80 examples. The Mars was produced in four proprietary calibers: the .335/8.5mm Mars, .360/9mm Mars, .45 Short Mars and .45 Long Mars, which was for a time the most powerful handgun cartridge in the world.

Gabbett-Fairfax had intended the Mars to replace the British Army's Webley & Scott revolver, however after a series of military tests it was rejected by the British War Office, mainly due to its large recoil, considerable muzzle flash and mechanical complexity. This was despite its impressive accuracy, penetration and stopping power.