First attempt at wooden grips (Webley Junior).

[felix gunner]

A huge thanks to Johnbaz for very kindly sending me some hardwood blanks, top man.

So, my first attempt at making some replacement wooden grips for my Junior. Hardest part was cutting out the main outline as I don't possess a small band or coping saw. Pleased with the end result though, mainly achieved with the small sanding drums on a Dremel and lots of patience! I used a small dowell for the locating stud. Finish is around 7 coats of Danish oil.

[EDIT 2023] - scroll down to post #11 for photos.

[johnbaz]

Wow!!

A smashing job there Max

As I said just now in the pm, the wood is wlanut, I 'won' some exotic wood on fleabay and also bought the walnut plank ends, the lad said they were offcuts from a local stockmaker, I presume this to be Custom Stocks of Sheffield as I don't know of any others close by


I use the shank of a 1/4" drill bit for the dowel, the wooden dowel is a great idea



Are you going to have a go at the other Webley pistol??


Hope you didn't breath any of the dust in as it can have adverse effects to the repiratory system


Cheers, john

[Abasmajor]

A huge thanks to Johnbaz for very kindly sending me some hardwood blanks, top man.

So, my first attempt at making some replacement wooden grips for my Junior. Hardest part was cutting out the main outline as I don't possess a small band or coping saw. Pleased with the end result though, mainly achieved with the small sanding drums on a Dremel and lots of patience! I used a small dowell for the locating stud. Finish is around 7 coats of Danish oil.

Hi Max,

You obviously did a great job on the replacement Junior grips especially given the lack of specialist tools. I always think wood grips transform the appearance of all the pistols in the Webley range.

All you now need to do now, is a similarly high standard job on the pistol finish so that it matches the quality of the grips!

Well done.

Brian

[felix gunner]

Thanks guys, although I made new grips (that need ageing now to match!) I would never refurbish a gun's finish in any way (bar seals/washers etc to get it working) - originality is by far the most important thing for me, much rather have it battered and worn with years of dirty, sticky hand wear than shiny and refinished.

I might stain them, or darken them in some way to help them blend in a bit (although they are darker in real life compared to the pics).

I like the look of these:



I've got a Senior that I'll go for next but might try a little more detail this time...

[wmp50075]

i'm with you, leave the guns finish as is. the grips are great.

[sniper24687066]

I'm very impressed, great piece of work. I'm determined to make some grips for an old asi paratrooper but must first get me a coping saw and some nice timber.

[felix gunner]

Finished the Senior grips this weekend, went a bit darker and with a bit more form with the thumb rest. This has helped the grip for sure especially with such a heavy trigger on this model.

As you can see the Senior is well used, but well loved - the first airgun I ever bought - and rescued with some of the last Webley parts sold by Mr Hiller many years ago.

[johnbaz]

Finished the Senior grips this weekend, went a bit darker and with a bit more form with the thumb rest. This has helped the grip for sure especially with such a heavy trigger on this model.

As you can see the Senior is well used, but well loved - the first airgun I ever bought - and rescued with some of the last Webley parts sold by Mr Hiller many years ago.

Smashing job there Max



John

[felix gunner]

Thanks John, really enjoyed it. Walnut is amazing to work with, almost like a composite in the gorgeous way it carves, shapes and sands.

[Markmelesky]

Smashing job there Max



John

Nice job. They look great.

[felix gunner]

Linked this recently and as all the photos were gone I'm re-posting them below.

After all the years the grips have a lovely colour now (and blend in much better than the 'virgin' wood below!) and I have to say the Senior was improved massively by having 'shaped' grips like this that fit the hand like a glove - makes it lovely to shoot.

Junior:

[felix gunner]

Senior: