I'm new to this forum. Is there a specific subforum for discussing vintage air rifles? I have a Webley MK1 Service Rifle with acid etched markings and really need experts to guide me on how to clean/restore it. Yes, I know, I might have the only example in the US. I happened on it at local gun store in So Cal a few years ago. It was sitting by a couple Perazzis and, for some reason, it just spoke to me and told me to take it home. I wasn't interested in the $50,000 shotguns but this air rifle just had to go home with me. I had no idea what I was buying at the time. Now that I know, I want some guidance on how to proceed with it.
N/A Vintage air rifles
- Thread starter CSACANNONEER
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Welcome, and I'm sure someone here will give some advice. Good knowledgeable people here willing to share.
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This would be the deepest pool of knowledge on vintage airguns that I'm aware of. -- https://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php?board=124
You'll likely want to ask about it over there.
Cheers,
J~
You'll likely want to ask about it over there.
Cheers,
J~
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Rest easy, there are plenty of old airguns hanging about in the US, including even Webley Mk 1's!
The Gateway to Airguns "Vintage Airgun Gate" is great (Treefrog's link just above).
Some hard-core collectors/restorers/etc hang out at the American Vintage Airguns site:
www.tapatalk.com
The UK BBS forum's "Collectable airguns" sub-forum is even better if you're dealing with a British airgun:
The Gateway to Airguns "Vintage Airgun Gate" is great (Treefrog's link just above).
Some hard-core collectors/restorers/etc hang out at the American Vintage Airguns site:
American Vintage Airguns
THE Forum For Collectors Of American Vintage Airguns-American Vintage Airguns-Archive of Network 54 AVA forums
www.tapatalk.com The UK BBS forum's "Collectable airguns" sub-forum is even better if you're dealing with a British airgun:
Collectable airguns
This is the place for anything to do with older or rarer airguns, both discussion and sales/valuations
www.airgunbbs.com
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Here are places to look for parts (the Mk I might be a stretch even for such specialists, but doesn't hurt to ask!):
+ JG Airguns (Chicago)
http://www.jgairguns.biz
+ John Knibbs / Gunspares (UK)
https://www.airgunspares.com/airgun-spares
+ Chambers (UK)
https://twchambers.co.uk
+ Gunstar (UK)
https://www.gunstar.co.uk
+ Waffen Center Gotha (Germany)
https://www.waffencenter-gotha.de
+ Sportwaffen Schneider (Germany)
https://www.versandhaus-schneider.de
+ JG Airguns (Chicago)
http://www.jgairguns.biz
+ John Knibbs / Gunspares (UK)
https://www.airgunspares.com/airgun-spares
+ Chambers (UK)
https://twchambers.co.uk
+ Gunstar (UK)
https://www.gunstar.co.uk
+ Waffen Center Gotha (Germany)
https://www.waffencenter-gotha.de
+ Sportwaffen Schneider (Germany)
https://www.versandhaus-schneider.de
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I looked it up. That's a very interesting airgun! Steampunk in design way before that was considered cool.
Cheers,
J~
Cheers,
J~
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It basically works the same way as the classic Webley pistols - the piston is cocked by a front-hinged barrel on top of the receiver tube, and moves rearward when fired.
The succeeding Mk 2 Service rifle is a similar but somewhat bigger and more advanced design, with interchangeable barrels, bolt-action breech lock, and both open and peep sights built-in. Also rare, but much more common than the Mk 1 (and even steam-punkier looks-wise).
The succeeding Mk 2 Service rifle is a similar but somewhat bigger and more advanced design, with interchangeable barrels, bolt-action breech lock, and both open and peep sights built-in. Also rare, but much more common than the Mk 1 (and even steam-punkier looks-wise).
Webley Mark II Service: Part 1 | Blog | Pyramyd AIR
The Webley Mark II Service air rifle is one that’s been on my bucket list for decades.
www.pyramydair.com
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That's interesting. I've had a Tempest since the early '80's.It basically works the same way as the classic Webley pistols - rearward-moving piston, cocked by front-hinged barrel on top.
View attachment 486431
The succeeding Mk 2 Service rifle is a similar but somewhat bigger and more advanced design, with interchangeable barrels, bolt-action breech lock, and both open and peep sights built-in. Also rare, but much more common than the Mk 1 (and even steam-punkier looks-wise).
Webley Mark II Service: Part 1 | Blog | Pyramyd AIR
The Webley Mark II Service air rifle is one that’s been on my bucket list for decades.www.pyramydair.com
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If you want to sell yours I know another guy wants to buy one. I can PM how to contact him and you can work the value with him.
Maybe someone can tell you Blue Book for some idea of value.
Maybe someone can tell you Blue Book for some idea of value.
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I know what the approximate value (at auction) was in the UK about 5 years ago. I'm just wondering if it's worth sending to a UK auction house IF I decide to part with it.
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Correct, from my research approximately the first 500 or so were acid etched. After that, all text was rolled/pressed. Mine is #302.
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Nice! Things that make you say Hmmm, bet there is some serious history inside that little gun. If only it could talk.
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I'm thinking the men that designed it wore suits with ties, bowler hats and carried umbrellas. Gin was the preferred tonic at the time.
Cheers,
J~
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I've always thought the Webley rifles, especially the Mk 2, looked like the result of a bunch of hardcore old-school machinists, all in a room together trying to out-do each other! Compared to the elegant BSA underlevers of the day they have a "designed by committee" look to 'em, but up close the details are astonishing.
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