Cat among the pigeons?

[ccdjg]

At the risk of putting the cat among the pigeons, does anyone agree with me that the Walther LP53 is somewhat overrated when compared with the contemporary Webley Senior in terms of build quality and materials? I stress build quality, rather than performance or appearance, as I think that when it comes to looks the LP53 is unarguably a clear winner, and is probably also a better performer. What prompted me to raise this was the current thread about renovating an old LP53 asking what sort of paint to use to refinish the barrel. This gave me to think that an equivalent question directed at an old Webley Senior would have received some harsh comments, if not ridicule.

Back in 1954 I can clearly remember as a youngster my favourite gunshop, which exhibited an LP53 alongside a Webley Senior, Mark 1 and Junior in its window, and I also remember marvelling that the price of the Walther was almost twice that of the Senior. I now wonder why this was, considering that the Webley was manufactured from forged steel involving more than 50 machining operations, and even the barrel was deep-hole bored from solid steel, whereas the LP53 relied largely on zinc alloy castings, and the barrel was a steel tube sleeved with alloy. Perhaps the price difference was the result of heavy import duties at the time, or was Walther adding a nice premium confident in the saleability of its attractive design?

[tinbum]

I totally agree! I love the Senior and its probably the most tactile air pistol ever made. The build quality and materials are better by far and the shooting experience is every bit as good.

In my case, the desire for an LP53 is driven by my childlike need to buy things associated with James Bond. I'm a fan and have the watch, the LP53 and the rugged good looks, but I'm still working on the DB5!

[Garvin]

I completely agree too. From a collecting point of view, a pistol's performance has to be pretty special to make it compare favourably with the beautifully-made Webley Senior - a jewel in the history of British airguns. I don't think the LP53 reaches that mark, despite its qualities.

[tinbum]

Having now built the Walther and put quite a few pellets through it, i know that its gonna be for looking at rather than shooting. It's accurate enough, easy to use and has plenty of poke, but I had more fun with my Tempest.

Curse you! I need to find a Senior now!

[ccdjg]

Having now built the Walther and put quite a few pellets through it, i know that its gonna be for looking at rather than shooting. It's accurate enough, easy to use and has plenty of poke, but I had more fun with my Tempest.

Curse you! I need to find a Senior now!

I have to admit that the LP53 is well ahead when it comes to looks. After all, would James Bond have looked quite right with this http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q...psd9a7204d.jpg rather than this http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps0f0795f8.jpg ?

Still, it would be a bit better than this http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps32dd9813.jpg.

[Garvin]

I have to admit that the LP53 is well ahead when it comes to looks. After all, would James Bond have looked quite right with this http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q...psd9a7204d.jpg rather than this http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps0f0795f8.jpg ?

Still, it would be a bit better than this http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps32dd9813.jpg.

Ha ha.

[Josie & John]

I think both have their merits, both in different areas. The Webley for build quality and the LP53 for sheer looks. There is something about a cased LP53 and come to think of it that goes for the Senior too! Maybe this is why we all collect. Each model has plus points in areas others don't. A collection of spring air pistols would be seen as incomplete without examples of both these classics.

John

[I. J.]

Personally - I favour the Webley. It gets right to the bottom of the cup.

http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Airs...l?sort=6&o=134

[mrto]

Personally - I favour the Webley. It gets right to the bottom of the cup.

http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Airs...l?sort=6&o=134

What a stirrer!

[mrto]

I have to admit that the LP53 is well ahead when it comes to looks. After all, would James Bond have looked quite right with this http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q...psd9a7204d.jpg rather than this http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps0f0795f8.jpg ?

Still, it would be a bit better than this http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps32dd9813.jpg.

Very good!

[Rickenbacker]

Always should have been a Webley: http://www.vampjac.com/vampireearth/...nerypistol.jpg

[Rob M]

Personally I don't think that the LP53 looks that great. It looks like a quality air pistol, sure, but I don't like the proportions or the typically German appearance. The Webley has better proportions and looks like an air pistol, which to me is an entirely good thing, whereas the LP53 looks more like a target firearm. The Webley's not so good for pretending it's a real gun but in every other respect I prefer it.

[Abasmajor]

It is generally considered that the LP53 owed much to this early 1920's Lincoln Jeffries air pistol from the mid 1920s.

http://i1362.photobucket.com/albums/...psc42ca7e8.jpg


Although Walther undoubtedly improved the cosmetics a bit, the similarities are still quite clear,

Personally, I prefer the more compact features of the Webley, but both are certainly classics in their own right.

Regards

Brian

[clarky]

At the risk of putting the cat among the pigeons, does anyone agree with me that the Walther LP53 is somewhat overrated when compared with the contemporary Webley Senior in terms of build quality and materials? I stress build quality, rather than performance or appearance, as I think that when it comes to looks the LP53 is unarguably a clear winner, and is probably also a better performer. What prompted me to raise this was the current thread about renovating an old LP53 asking what sort of paint to use to refinish the barrel. This gave me to think that an equivalent question directed at an old Webley Senior would have received some harsh comments, if not ridicule.

Back in 1954 I can clearly remember as a youngster my favourite gunshop, which exhibited an LP53 alongside a Webley Senior, Mark 1 and Junior in its window, and I also remember marvelling that the price of the Walther was almost twice that of the Senior. I now wonder why this was, considering that the Webley was manufactured from forged steel involving more than 50 machining operations, and even the barrel was deep-hole bored from solid steel, whereas the LP53 relied largely on zinc alloy castings, and the barrel was a steel tube sleeved with alloy. Perhaps the price difference was the result of heavy import duties at the time, or was Walther adding a nice premium confident in the saleability of its attractive design?

I think i would be inclined to disagree with the comments regarding the Walther.
For one, the cocking lever/trigger guard is superbly crafted from solid steel which has been profiled in just the same way as the Webleys, while the Walthers design is brilliant based on putting all the internal in the grip. This is an amazing feat of engineering to place everything here and affording a very streamlined, firearm style. Meanwhile the trigger mechanism is in a far and away better class, both in design and operation and the primary reason why the gun is potentially more accurate.
I have also noted that rifling is superior and the sights much better.
The alloy housing and barrel casing are not Zinc but real alloy which can be anodized or parkerized. Both superbly executed and of the highest quality. Just in a different material.
The styling and quality of the plastic grips arguably even better than the Webleys.
Horses for course i guess but no way can one say the Webley is better....just different.

[gingernut]

I agree Clarky.

In addition can you like a pistol just because it is well built?
Webleys are ,but the many I have had were poor performers and had to go.
I think I had one early Senior that was ok.

The 53 wins for me on build and performance.