FWB Sport dating

[MattyBoy]

Dear All

I am sure this info is on the BBS somewhere but I have searched in vain

Please could one of the FWB Gurus amongst you tell me the date of my newly acquired 127 Sport?

Serial number is 29270

It has the plastic trigger and "wrap around" front sight with exchangeable elements

Thank you for your help

[Herpquest]

You like asking awkward questions, don't you Matty?
Unlike Weihrauch, Feinwerkbau either won't or can't supply dates relating to serial no's.
This debate has been going on for some time with I.J. and Garvin, amongst others, offering their qualified opinions but no 'specific' dates can be settled upon.
Your 127 is most likely to be a Mark 1, with the relatively low number and the plastic trigger. I have a 121 with a 1200 number and both 124's and 127's with numbers lower than 2,000.
Some records indicate that Beeman was negotiating with Feinwerkbau as early as 1973 and began importing the F12 and F120 into America in 1973. Manchester Air Guns started selling the 124 and 127 in 1978/79, although another importer brought them into Britain a little earlier.
I would guess that your 127 is from around 1980. The exact date is really irrelevant - just be satisfied that you now have one!!
ATB,
Eric

[Andy Bee]

Not wanting to divert from the original question, but does anyone know if the serial numbers on the 124 and 127 were specific to each calibre. What I mean is, for example, a production of 1000 124's 1 to 1000, followed by a production of 1000 127's. Would the 127's be 1001, or start again at 1.

Seems an odd question, but it'd help me age my 127. I think I've got my 124 narrowed down to 1980 or 81, but my 127 is still a mystery.

124 = 33000
127 = 18000

[Garvin]

Eric is quite right when he intimates this is a rather murky subject.

But his summary is very slightly off the mark. To set the record straight, the FWB Sport was definitely being advertised for sale in the US by Robert Law in 1973.

See this ad.

On the date of Matty's rifle, I agree that 1979 or 1980 sounds about right.

Andy Bee, my feeling is that 127s and 124s were numbered together, but it's just an impression.



FWB supplied date info (compiled by BBS member RedFeather)

10012 124 1977
17023 124 12/01/78
20400 124S 05/01/79
26000 124D 12/01/79
34476 124 09/01/80
37900 124D 04/01/81
39800 124 05/01/81
44001 124 10/01/81
49992 124 10/01/82
51631 124 1983
52589 124 05/01/83
57200 124S 05/01/85
57600 124D 03/01/85
61600 124 03/01/88

[Amac]

Welcome to the sunny world of Sport ownership!

[maximus]

When I saw this post I thought that one of the sport luvvies was now wanting to take one of their objects of desire out for drinks, a dance and maybe more.......

[MattyBoy]

When I saw this post I thought that one of the sport luvvies was now wanting to take one of their objects of desire out for drinks, a dance and maybe more.......

Well that's quite normal isn't it?

[MattyBoy]

1) Please could someone confirm whether there is an "official" leather sling for the FWB Sport?

I would like to fit a leather sling but am not sure what would look right?

Could anyone suggest a good sling with a 3/4" sling swivel width?

2) I was wondering whether it's ever done, to put some sort of barrel protector over the barrel at the place which you grab it to cock it?

The bluing on my FWB 127 is perfect but my acidic hands are bound to cause issues after a few hundred cocks ()

I was thinking about some sort of rubber tubing or similar?

Any thoughts please?

Thanks all

[Garvin]

1) Please could someone confirm whether there is an "official" leather sling for the FWB Sport?

I would like to fit a leather sling but am not sure what would look right?

Could anyone suggest a good sling with a 3/4" sling swivel width?

2) I was wondering whether it's ever done, to put some sort of barrel protector over the barrel at the place which you grab it to cock it?

The bluing on my FWB 127 is perfect but my acidic hands are bound to cause issues after a few hundred cocks ()

I was thinking about some sort of rubber tubing or similar?

Any thoughts please?

Thanks all

I don't think there was ever an "official" sling.

If you wipe the barrel down with oil after every use the blueing should be OK.

Beeman in the US used to sell (still sells?) a muzzle brake that fitted the Sport using one of the shims included. I had one once and while it looks a bit inappropriate it's a good cocking aid that keeps hands off the barrel. It looks a bit like the Mk3 Sport muzzle weight.

Another alternative is the Webley pro system silencer. The downside is that it makes the rifle long. Some people reckon the extra weight also adds to the strain on the Sport's ball detent lock up, although I'm not sure it makes much difference myself.

I would be a bit wary of putting a rubber sleeve on the barrel because of the risk of moisture collecting under it. Maybe some of the Abbey wax spray would be a good non-slip barrier to protect the blueing?

[MattyBoy]

Thanks Garvin

I do wipe all my guns down with Parker Hale Express Gun Oil after every shooting session.

I guess I am being paranoid

I'll just get myself a plain leather sling then

Cheers