HW/Weihrauch HW30S restoration

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kingfisher61

kingfisher61

Member
Feb 23, 2017
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Rhode Island, United States
I bought these 2 HW30S rifles recently. Both were NOS (new old stock). Problem was i was told they weren't shootable in their original state. This was due to dried leather seals and gummed up lubes from 50+ years of sitting unused.
So, I brought them to Airguntunes.com in New Hampshire. Scott Blair is the fine craftsman who delicately disassembled both guns and brought them back to life.

Scott is a fine craftsman and is renowned for his perfection when working on airguns. He delicately disassembled both rifles, cleaned, polished, and lubed them. He also managed to save the leather piston seal by soaking it. Unfortunately, the breech seals were beyond help, and for lack of new leather ones, they were replaced with JM synthetic seals.The rifles were then reassembled with great care and put back in the original 50+ year old ARH boxes.
Scott test fired them, and they are shooting beautifully!! It was a real treat to see these old rifles come back to life. He made a spread sheet detailing all the work and results. Great information to have one these "time capsules".
Here are a few pictures of the process for your perusal.
Enjoy!

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kingfisher61 said:
I bought these 2 HW30S rifles recently. Both were NOS (new old stock). Problem was i was told they weren't shootable in their original state. This was due to dried leather seals and gummed up lubes from 50+ years of sitting unused.
So, I brought them to Airguntunes.com in New Hampshire. Scott Blair is the fine craftsman who delicately disassembled both guns and brought them back to life.

Scott is a fine craftsman and is renowned for his perfection when working on airguns. He delicately disassembled both rifles, cleaned, polished, and lubed them. He also managed to save the leather piston seal by soaking it. Unfortunately, the breech seals were beyond help, and for lack of new leather ones, they were replaced with JM synthetic seals.The rifles were then reassembled with great care and put back in the original 50+ year old ARH boxes.
Scott test fired them, and they are shooting beautifully!! It was a real treat to see these old rifles come back to life. He made a spread sheet detailing all the work and results. Great information to have one these "time capsules".
Here are a few pictures of the process for your perusal.
Enjoy!

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Wonderful rifles , and beautiful work by Scott
Stan in KY .
 
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Wadcutter said:
Those are Gorgeous!!! Out of curiosity, what's the velocity/fpe on them?
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Can be slightly more than later guns because the pre safety guns have a little longer stroke.
Sometimes you can still use leather breech seals by cleaning up the end and shimming them out for nostalgia's sake but a new Weirdrock seal is probably better anyway.
 
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Those are gorgeous - I saw the dust get blown off of 'em at the Hickory show this year, and it's great to be able to follow along in their restoration. Lovely little time capsules all ready to roll!

To me the "new-fangled" breech seal is not a knock at all. The odd shape of Weihrauch's seal is because it was expressly designed to be a drop-in replacement for the old leather ones, which are an inherently perishable part of any barrel-cocking springer, after all. You wouldn't expect to pay any less for a vintage Ferrari because it didn't have the original air and oil filters! :D
 
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Pellets&Pistons-(Razor62) said:
Incredible, John!!!! They're absolutely gorgeous. Congrats on a wonderful acquisition!
Lucky for you, I'm a respectable guy. I know where to find you.... ;)
Seriously though, you've made a once in a lifetime score!!!!
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I can come by and let you try them anytime Kevin. Ty for the kind words.
 
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MDriskill said:
Those are gorgeous - I saw the dust get blown off of 'em at the Hickory show this year, and it's great to be able to follow along in their restoration. Lovely little time capsules all ready to roll!

To me the "new-fangled" breech seal is not a knock at all. The odd shape of Weihrauch's seal is because it was expressly designed to be a drop-in replacement for the old leather ones, which are an inherently perishable part of any barrel-cocking springer, after all. You wouldn't expect to pay any less for a vintage Ferrari because it didn't have the original air and oil filters! :D
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Mike
As usual, very well said. I'd take that Ferrari any day. 😆
 
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kingfisher61 said:
I can come by and let you try them anytime Kevin. Ty for the kind words.
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Well, we've still got to get together for a shoot. If you decide to bring some of your more "interesting guns" perhaps we can record some of the action for the channel. Warmer weather is coming, my friend.
 
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JC, Mike O, and everyone, thank you all for the very kind words. It's a privilege to be given the opportunity to handle, and restore these wonderful classic rifles.
I hope Mike O. posts a pic of those two beautiful HW55's he just acquired, to complement JC's pics of the 30's.
I chose to let my website expire a couple years ago, when the web services were due to triple in price.
Things are just right these days, with simple "word of mouth" exposure.
Thanks again.
Have fun,
Scott
 
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