BSA & Webley & bell target rifles

[Josie & John]

Special order early Airsporters could be had. I had one, bought secondhand in the 70's from someone who had it as a special with factory checkering and PH sights front and rear. The association with Parker Hale was quite close. They were only a few hundred yards down the road and even shared a sports and social club. The Mercury Targets were made for salesmen to ship around dealers and gauge reaction. It wasnt favourable and those made were sold off.

Interesting anecdotes. A news snippet in Guns Review hinted that some Airsporters were also fitted with the same ramp as the Mercury Target but as far as I am aware, none are known today; unless you know different?

Kind regards,

John

[trajectory]

John thanks for posting those pictures, only problem now is that I want one!
Grenwayjames, hanks too, I remember some of the Webley modifications you could order up along with a new mkIII but ive not seen a list for a BSA equivalent list. Those Mercuries might be rare but I think they were a bit optimistic if they thought they were going to be competitive.

[Josie & John]

John thanks for posting those pictures, only problem now is that I want one!
Grenwayjames, hanks too, I remember some of the Webley modifications you could order up along with a new mkIII but ive not seen a list for a BSA equivalent list. Those Mercuries might be rare but I think they were a bit optimistic if they thought they were going to be competitive.

It may be worth taking a look at what Kempton has to offer next Sunday - I found a Club Mark 2 at the last one.

I have Target Mercury and swapped the standard 1.1 mm eyepiece for an adjustable one. It made all the difference and now the rifle is as accurate to use as a Webley Supertarget or similar.

Good luck in finding an aperture sighted Airsporter/Club - you won't regret it!

John

[greenwayjames]

John thanks for posting those pictures, only problem now is that I want one!
Grenwayjames, hanks too, I remember some of the Webley modifications you could order up along with a new mkIII but ive not seen a list for a BSA equivalent list. Those Mercuries might be rare but I think they were a bit optimistic if they thought they were going to be competitive.

I have never seen a list of "extras" for BSAs but if a dealer had the right connections BSA had the skills, back then of course Shooters had an aversion to barrels that moved which went against the Mercury Target.

[greenwayjames]

Interesting anecdotes. A news snippet in Guns Review hinted that some Airsporters were also fitted with the same ramp as the Mercury Target but as far as I am aware, none are known today; unless you know different?

Kind regards,

John

Nothing anecdotal about my post spud

[trajectory]

In bell shooting nowadays is it split into recoiling & recoilless or do they all compete on equal terms with a few special events for the older designs?