Whats that smell?

[ggggr]

I have recently done a mk2 meteor and a Webley mk1 and they both have a sweet smell about them. It smells like the Stag gasket stuff my dad used to have in the garage. Any idea what it is?
Also---what years did the Webley Senior have the grooves down the front and back of the frame at the grips?

[PaulR]

Not sure about the smell but the Seniors commenced production in 1935 and the grooves were introduced after the first 1000 had been made.

[swiftnick]

When you say Stag... as in Triumph Stag?

If so I'll open with welseal?

[bighit]

we use stag and welseal at work lol, prefer the stag smell though lol

[bigchap]

is the smell the oils in the stock?

[keith66]

Must have been the oil they used, I like the smell of Webley mk 3's & Prewar BSA's a mix of blued steel & linseed oil, Its evocative & similar to that of the Webley Bolt action .410 of my youth worn bluing, nitro & youngs 303.
Hell i ought to put that smell in a bottle & market it as aftershave

[harvey_s]

....the grooves down the front and back of the frame at the grips?

.....it's called 'cording' apparently.

[Airsporter1st]

The small is in the action,not the stock. The meteor had it all over the action and on the senior it is mostly on the piston washer. It is a sweet smell a bit like olbas oil.

I think its burnt mineral oil. It seems to be prevalent on the old springers, most of which diesel at some point in their life - every shot if you subscribe to some theories.

Whatever the smell is, I love it. It always puts me in mind of long summer days, walking the banks of the River Pin with my Airsporter at a time when it was seen by most as a legitimate pursuit for a lad.

[Arch.Stanton?]

Bought a large cutlery box - you know the type given as presents with 200 spoons and knives in . This was empty and had been plyed with - opened the lid to find blue felt baize lining the inside , and the waft of old gun oil hit me as the lid opened . Had to buy it just for that smell . Is now my airgun tool + bits box