Mk 1 Airsporter?

[Brew]

Hi... newbie here - from deepest, daaarkest 'Ampshire

I was given my dad's old BSA "The Airsporter" rifle for my 10th birthday - back in 1969... used it regularly for about fifteen years and stored it away since.

Got it out last week for the first time - and the memories (and the bug!) came flooding back.

2 questions, if I may....

1) how do I go about servicing it? The years don't appear to ahve diminished its capabiltirs any, but - just to be on the safe side....

and 2) any way of telling its age? it has "GB8158" stamped in front of the trigger. Does the "58" mean 1958? That's when my father thinks he bought it originally...

Here's a couple of pics.... I guess it's a Mk1.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a50/Hansifer/P3280007.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a50/Hansifer/P3280008.jpg

Many thanks....

[Paddy_SP]

'GB' indicates that it is a Mark 1 made between 1956 and 1958! :)

Oh, and welcome to the site! :)

[ikarma70]

the mk2 airsporter has a 3 piece piston...or is that the mk1?..so i was told at the greyhound.

[pennineway.fswo]

The pistons in the Mk1 and Mk2 are similar as both have the conical protrusion and leather washers. There are some differences in the pistons from what I remember from stripping my airsporters, both to the piston heads and bodies. The main difference I noted was that the piston bodies in my Mk 2's were manufactured from rolled steel plate, the piston in my Mk1 (.22) is machined from solid. I have read that the pistons on Mk 1's were made directly from small castings but I think it is probable that they were machined out of forged steel bar. The cone on my Mk1 is steel and on the Mk2 it is nylon
As for servicing the rifle, these guns are easy to strip and overhaul but usually all they need is a strip, a clean and then re-lubricate using modern oils/moly. paste/grease. The piston washers can take a lot of abuse and rarely need replacing. Similarly if the spring has not collapsed and is still straight then it may well perform better than a new one. These guns do not like strong springs. Better 10 ft. lbs and accurate than 12 ft lbs and jumping out of your hands when pulling the trigger .

[Powderfinger]

"Air Rifle and Air Pistol Maintenance and Repair" by Q. Cobham (Mini-Maxi Publications) gives excellent instructions on stripping a Mk1.

[Rob M]

That is a great book with nice photos, and is regularly sold by the author himself via the auction site that begins with 'E' and ends in 'Bay'.

[Brew]

Thanks for the speedy replies - and the info, of course!

I'll certainly get that book, if I can.

[I. J.]

That is a great book with nice photos, and is regularly sold by the author himself via the auction site that begins with 'E' and ends in 'Bay'.

:confused: Any more clues? :confused:

Got to agree its a very handy little book even if the subject rifle/pistols stripped is a little unusual. ;)

ATB
Ian :D