Weblet Premier

[slowcoach]

Hi all, I'm after a bit of info with regard to a .177 premier. The pistol is in very good condition overall but may need a new sear as engagement is a bit hit and miss sometimes. Are they still available?
The serial number is 1496, is this a seris 1 or 2?? Bluing is very good with a few minor scuff marks from sitting in its box on the right n
hand side of the frame.
Any ideas as to the value of the guns?
So many questions, hope some one can help.
Cheers all

[pennineway.fswo]

With regard to the trigger - loosen off the trigger adjustment locking screw on LHS which is just in front of trigger, then turn trigger adjustment screw (in front of trigger guard) one turn A.C.Wise. Then nip up the locking screw.
Then try it.

If the sear still does not hold every time, Chambers or J Knibbs should stock the new sear.
With regard to value, a boxed early Premier in working order and VGC has to be worth £100 plus.If it is a particularly nice example then perhaps quite a bit more

[Garvin]

I expect this is not the problem with your Premier but I had a well used Webley pistol years ago (can't remember which :o ) that failed to cock. The barrel linkage had stretched over time and there wasn't enough piston travel for the the sear to engage it at the limit of the cocking stroke. I had it fixed by having enlarged pins fitted in the linkage to tighten it up and reduce the total length. I think at the time the gunsmith said it was a fairly common problem.

[Mark D]

Try the adjustment first as stated above, it's an easy fix if that is the problem, otherwise it could be stretched linkages! Have a close look at them and see if you can see any elongation of the pin holes.
The number on the pistol is a batch number not a serial number. On the frame next to the trigger guard and grip is a letter, as yours has a 5 pin frame it will probably be E or F. Earlier Premiers had a 4 pin frame and usually numbered A - D
Value wise - depends on condition, what is the rear plug like, if it has been tampered with, most have, then that will lower the price. Same with the blueing, if has suffered from rust at any time.
Any cracks to the grips or chewed screw heads, all indicate that it was owned by a series of curious youths !! - And who wasn't! - The photos are a little undefined , so hard to judge.

[slowcoach]

Many thanks for the replies.
I'll check the linkage pins for wear, trigger was adjusted as described but will only cock 1 in 5 times.
The pistol is in unmolested condition, rear plug un tampered with and only light wear to the bluing on the right hand side from where it has contacted the box by the look of it. Grips all complete etc, I'll try and get some better res photos after the weekend.
Thanks again

[barryeye]

I am interested in the comments Mark made about the pins and markings on Premiers.
Mine has batch number 1311 4 pins with B stamped behind the trigger. I’d like to know if possible when this pistol was made. Just what do the letters indicate?

Barry
New Zealand

[Troubledshooter]

In combination with the linkage stretching, the fulcrum wears as well, so it is worth checking whether there is a groove in the middle. If there is, the chances are a new linkage won't help for long, if at all. ;)

[pennineway.fswo]

Although the photos are not too good, it looks as though a mod/repair may have been carried out to the pin area where the linkage is connected to the barrel.(or it may be just a reflection - but it does look a bit odd)
Can you post a good photo of this area.

[pennineway.fswo]

I have just had a look at pic 3 and it does look like a link pin has been replaced by a small diameter bolt. Is this so? If it is, then sorting the problem becomes a bit more costly. A better photo is needed

[slowcoach]

Cheers all, I'll have another look at the pistol after the weekend and get some better pics

[slowcoach]

Blimey that was a long weekend!
Right finally got back to see the pistol, and well spotted guys it would seem that the cocking link pin has been replaced at some stage with a small nut and bolt jobby. Any links or pointers to getting a replacement would be much appreciated.
Cheers

[pennineway.fswo]

Flippen Heck 'Slowcoach' that took some time to reply
I am pleased to see that my old eyes are still picking up such fine detail

I suspect that the hole in the barrel saddle that the long link is connected to may have been badly worn (due to the pin bending and then seizing in the link and so not rotating in the link during the cocking stroke) It is also possible that the screw is slightly larger in diameter than the original pin.
Garvin mentioned above that he had a Webley repaired with a similar problem by the use of oversized pins to take up some of the wear. The problem Garvin refers to has been experienced by quite a few owners of the Webley Senior(myself included) and although a quick fix is explained by Hiller in his book(page222), Hiller's method of correction should only be a last resort.

Without seeing the pistol, it is difficult to suggest the best approach

If it was my pistol, and I was satisfied that the trigger adjustment and sear were working OK then:

I would remove the screw and other 2 pins from the linkage
Then replace the screw and nut with a pin 0.5 mm bigger that the original and the other 2 pins with standard replacements from Chambers (I think from memory the standard pins are 2mm diam. and you can make a 2.5mm diameter pin from sacrificing the shank of a 2.5mm steel drill bit)
You will have to drill the 1 hole through the link and through the saddle with the 2.5 mm drill first .
I would not recommend going any more than 0.5mm oversize.
This will cost you less than £5

Take great care when removing the old pins to fully support the links as these 2 pins will probably be bent and replacement links are expensive if you break them.

If that does not work, get back to me, as there are a couple of other things to try before splashing out big bucks on a new barrel and linkages

good luck

John

[slowcoach]

Cheers for that, I'll take it to the workshop and set things up squarely on the pillar drill.
Took an age to get back down to wiltshire and collect the thing!!
Thanks again I'll report back:)