What's a Mk111 worth

[Webleyman]

I have been offered a 1958 Webley Mk111 .22 which my friend (not a member)says is in excellent condition. He says that the blueing is 95% with the original ecthing still very clear. There no signs of the gun ever being taken apart or being muck about with in any way. He claims that it is pushing out nearly 11ft/lbs on the chrono. He reckens that it is worth £250 but will do a deal, probably £200. I have always fancied a MK111 (along with a mk1 airsporter which I already own) but is he asking too much? Has anyone any thoughts on MK111 values?

[Eagleman]

11ft lbs for a Webley mark 111 is pretty good. Personally I reckon £200 is £50 too much unless the gun is truly in exceptional condition - which it may be. I would pay £175 top rate for such a gun. It is really a collectors piece or of sentimental value although the Webley Mark 111s are perfectly capable of perfomring in the field.

[Sam Vimes]

I would stongly suggest that if a webley MKIII is genuinely kicking out 11ft/lbs it almost definitely has been taken apart and messed with or it's dieseling like hell. After a complete overhaul with original parts (including leather piston seal) mine will give about 7ft/lbs. I've never heard of a MKIII bettering 9ft/lbs.
I would strongly suggest that you have a word with I.J. and Troubledshooter.
As to the value, £250 is probably top end auction value on a very good day with two nutters bidding. Anything between £130 and £200 is more realistic, depending on how much you wanted it. I wouldn't go mad for a .22 myself and wouldn't go any higher than £150.

Chris

[Craig-P]

We've seen a fair few MKIII's putting out 11 fpe with the original springs, infact one of the most powerful ones we've had was an early flute stocked model - so it doesn't indicate they've been messed around with at all.
For £250 I'd be expecting a mint, original or professionally overhauled example or something like a SuperTarget with all the extras.

Craig

[Bales1983]

I paid £90 for mine which is in good condition WITH the scope rail still spot welded on!

The webley logo is now just a white plastic circle on the barrel but other than that its not bad,

Very heavy though and front heavy at that, or is it just me??


Lee

[I. J.]

A very early ('stripped' stock, pre scope rail, rounded tap lever etc) one in exceptional ORIGINAL condition may be worth £200.
A true 'Supertarget' (heavy barrel and engraved SUPERTARGET) in the same condition possibly more.
The even earlier first version with the rare (read weak) trigger is worth more than £200 (in good condition). IMO of course.
As for m.e. I think around 11ft lbs out of a (.22 - less in .177) Mk 111 is nearer the average.

HTH
Ian

[Sam Vimes]

Well there you go, I'll happily stand corrected on the power thing by two blokes that know far more than I.

Chris

[I. J.]

Maybe I was being a little optomistic saying: '11ft.lbs AVERAGE'. More like 11ft.lbs TOPS (in .22).
The couple I have use the 'controlled diesel' or wicking principal of a leather washer were they burn just a small amount of lube, very consistently with each shot signified with a slight puff of smoke and that LURVERLY smell.

ATB
Ian

[E-B]

I paid £90 for mine which is in good condition WITH the scope rail still spot welded on!

Mine was £95. Must have been one of the very last - 'F' prefix - in very good condition.

The webley logo is now just a white plastic circle on the barrel but other than that its not bad,

The logo on mine is worn but still legible. I am considering re-inking it and applying a mylar circle to protect it.

Very heavy though and front heavy at that, or is it just me??

I don't find my Mk.III heavy per se, solid? yes but heavy? no and I have a real aversion to heavy air rifles.

The Webley Mk.III is a lovely air rifle both aesthetically and functionally. I shoot mine open-sighted and it is probably my favourite gun. I would place a top price of £200 on a mint condition standard model. Having said that though, they aren't making any more of them so if it is exceptional and you think it worth the extra £50 who's to say otherwise?

[Troubledshooter]

I agree with I.J's pricing for the values of various Webley Mk.3's.
The power can vary quite a lot but I would think 10.5 in .22 is good, but with careful maintenance, higher figures can be achieved, although I have seen several examples with bulging cylinders caused by over maintenance.
I know of a superb, late, scope railed .22 example, No: 88159, that would appear to have had very little use as the cocking action has absolutely no lateral or spare movement at all. The metalwork and woodwork are superb with a pristine stock medallion.
In my opinion, it is as near to new as you will find.
The asking price is £150 plus carriage.

[Webleyman]

Following everyone's very helpful comments I have now purchased the gun for £150. The condition is excellent, so good I won't want to use it too much.
The gun is dated arround 1958 and looks better engineered than a later scope railed version which my brother owns.

Once again thanks for the invaluable advice.