FWB Sports

[jonnyone]

Well, since I have picked up yet another of the above I wanted to check with the 'Sport aficionados on here as to the differences between the different "marks".

Of the five I have, some simply have Feinwerkbau/Oberndorf on the breech block. One has Mk11 below it. One has Series Mk11 on it and I have a known Mk111 which I assumed had the archetypal "dan dare" muzzle weight. I say assumed since I saw one advertised more recently and this really did have what I can only describe as a "trumpet" shaped weight whereas the one I have is parralel sided with deep grooves machined into it with a post foresight screwed into the top. This threw me a bit as until that point I assumed all Mk111s looked like mine??

Anyhooo. For those in the know can you explain what are the obvious (and perhaps less obvious) differences between the Mk1, Mk11, Mk111 models please.

Thanks!

Dave

[I. J.]

There is also some differences in the safety catch. One mark has a square hole cut into it.

[jonnyone]

There is also some differences in the safety catch. One mark has a square hole cut into it.

Thanks Ian,

Will check that tomorrow. I gave an "oldie but goodie" early one to my nephew a few years back (its the one you helped me with the plastic trigger after I snapped one) . From memory this had a subtle difference with the cheek piece and the other ones I have but I cant recall what?

Another difference from memory is pistol grip checkering? I'm sure I recall some panel shape differences????

Would be good to get some info on these.

Thanks again for the input.

Dave

[Muskett]

MKIII:
http://i820.photobucket.com/albums/z...9/IMG_3192.jpg
MKII and III:
http://i820.photobucket.com/albums/z...9/IMG_4654.jpg

My favorite MkII set up:
http://i820.photobucket.com/albums/z...e/IMGP6760.jpg

The earliest used to have some red paint on the safety, it wasn't done very well so why they probably stopped. Biggest issue with Sports is that the body tube diameters changed depending what they had in stock or tooled up that month at the time. No two triggers are quite the same.

I.J. has a walnut one I believe.

[jonnyone]

MKIII:
http://i820.photobucket.com/albums/z...9/IMG_3192.jpg
MKII and III:
http://i820.photobucket.com/albums/z...9/IMG_4654.jpg

My favorite MkII set up:
http://i820.photobucket.com/albums/z...e/IMGP6760.jpg

The earliest used to have some red paint on the safety, it wasn't done very well so why they probably stopped. Biggest issue with Sports is that the body tube diameters changed depending what they had in stock or tooled up that month at the time. No two triggers are quite the same.

I.J. has a walnut one I believe.

Thanks muskett. Your pic of the mk111 is the type I have. Identical muzzle weight. Angular stock near pistol grip. No reference to it's mk111 designation on breech block though. Mine still has the shiny importers label on the cylinder tube and I think it does reference it as mk111. Bit daft on such a quality gun. Same as using plastic for the rear sight mind!
Incidentally the one at the weekend came with an Apel one piece mount. A first for me. I have a feeling that the whole gun may have been bought as a package from one of the outlets back in the day.
Thanks again
Dave

[I. J.]

MKIII:


I.J. has a walnut one I believe.

You believe correctly sir. http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Airs...ml?sort=6&o=34

http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Airs...ml?sort=6&o=35

I also have a couple (124 & 127) with factory left hand stocks.

ATB
Ian

[Muskett]

I.J. I continue to live in envy

I do think the MKIII is a very collectable rifle because of its rarity. I would keep yours in best condition if possible for there are plenty to be had for shooting. There aren't too many models of Sports to collect, and plenty were sold as they are such a fine rifle to shoot. A few customs and fully tuned to be had too. But not too many so its not an endless endeavour to collect most examples ever offered.

I showed the Apel mount with cross pin in the picture. The Optima 4x40 compliments the rifle too. A Moonlighter would as well, as would a Kassnar or Tasco. ASI 4x40 would be another option if you could find one and at one point was the type shown in early Air Gun Worlds.
Sports are best shot freehand as they are fidgety and not particularly forgiving being so light weight. They all want to shoot straight even if hard to drive.
Ever Sport trigger is different and most can be made "quite" nice. Same could be said of the Webley Omega though most are close to similar. They will never be a HW Record unit.
Lastly, the barrels are soft and can bend, especially if you let them "fly". Worst if done with a moderator. They still shoot straight even with a banana barrel. Theobens do it too, as do quite a few German rifles.

I'm a huge fan of the Sport having had one, 124, in my teenage years until I upgraded to a Theoben. Don't think I'll ever not have one.

[landymick]

The MK1 has the plastic trigger blade which was later changed for alloy.MK11 have the alloy trigger blade & slotted safety catch.

Early MK1 has a palm swell later stocks are not as well pronounced,it also has the slotted barrel for the wrap around foresight later it was dovetailed.Three foresight types over the years.
Some MK11's have the wider panel checkering on the stock,the ASI imported model had Series MK11 on the breach.

Beeman models are stamped on the right hand side of the cylinder.

The Deluxe Sport came with opens which is the most common & the Target had a peep sight & foresight with different elements.

Manchester Air Rifles had approx 50 with factory Walnut stocks.

The most rare is the .20 version prototype around 3 or so made.

Butt pads are slightly different around 3 types across the years but don't seem year specific apart from the early red shaded type,later ones look to be the same as HW with out the branding.

[jonnyone]

You believe correctly sir. http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Airs...ml?sort=6&o=34

http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Airs...ml?sort=6&o=35

I also have a couple (124 & 127) with factory left hand stocks.

ATB
Ian

Very tasty indeed Ian. Being a Beeman custom I guess it originates from across the pond? I think our American cousins have a hankering for the FWB too?
I think its a mark of their engineering and quality that even to this day they can still hold their own against modern contemporaries.
Dave

[jonnyone]

The MK1 has the plastic trigger blade which was later changed for alloy.MK11 have the alloy trigger blade & slotted safety catch.

Early MK1 has a palm swell later stocks are not as well pronounced,it also has the slotted barrel for the wrap around foresight later it was dovetailed.Three foresight types over the years.
Some MK11's have the wider panel checkering on the stock,the ASI imported model had Series MK11 on the breach.

Beeman models are stamped on the right hand side of the cylinder.

The Deluxe Sport came with opens which is the most common & the Target had a peep sight & foresight with different elements.

Manchester Air Rifles had approx 50 with factory Walnut stocks.

The most rare is the .20 version prototype around 3 or so made.

Butt pads are slightly different around 3 types across the years but don't seem year specific apart from the early red shaded type,later ones look to be the same as HW with out the branding.

Thanks for your input. And that of the other guys. I think the point has been made above that they are a desirable acquisition. Rare enough to be desirable for all the reasons we know of but common enough to be found and got with some patience and searching.

As to rarity and collectability (aside of the extremely rare .20 and the very rare factory walnut customs)which would people regard as the most collectible of the rest???
Its really interesting to read of these subtle differences between the differing models.

Musket. Why do you suggest that the Mk111 is desirable? Do you consider it better handling than previous guns? Maybe more handsome? Or perhaps low numbers produced? Just curious?
Dave

[Mach 1.5]

If the FWB MK3 is rare the new MK4 will not be far behind it. Overpriced and underpowered..Yes I own one. Mach 1.5

[les allam]

I was using my fwb mk1 on Sunday at the club, it's a great gun and it more than kept up with the modern springers , accuracy and handling is spot on.
And it is definitely one of the best looking springers imo ..
Les..

[slug-gun]

The very first guns had a Bakelite/plastic butt plate and really nice well figured beech. Many of the later stocks were a much cheaper and chocolate brown plain beech.
As with many 'collectables' the first early rifles are the most attractive despite the plastic trigger, which in any case was an easy upgrade.

[Shed tuner]

great guns. Good point on the cylinder sizes too - if you have a loose tube, use a BSA supersport seal sized down. A loose seal makes them harsh and slammy. Had one like this and the Macarri seal was way too loose, but was fine in another sport.

[GSMN1]

124, sporting a new piece of tyrolean walnut, fashioned on a composite of stock features including the palm swell from My FWB 150T and similar checkering. Fore end slightly lengthened which I think is better. Originally a Mk2 action I believe. Mr Blocksidge was encouraged to freestyle. A set of Apel mounts courtesy of I.J. (Thank you sir). This will probably make the die hard purists 'tut' but none the less - in my eyes - a very elegant lady. Rubbish photos but will do better when less damp!

http://i1113.photobucket.com/albums/...psdtxzk9b9.jpg
http://i1113.photobucket.com/albums/...ps7wueonee.jpg
http://i1113.photobucket.com/albums/...pseghncyz2.jpg