BSA & Webley & bell target rifles

[trajectory]

Well this is something I'd be interested in hearing opinions on. It's something I've wondered before but my 'production numbers v calibre' question has brought it to mind again.
Back in the early days there were all manner of makes of air rifle being used for bell target shooting, but as time went on BSA seems to have been the preferred maker with various models being available over the years. So I think they were the ones with the largest market share in this sector up until the second world war. Bell target popularity had probably peaked by then but after the war (1939-1945) BSA introduced the Airsporter/Club model, Webley introduced the MkIII & a Supertarget version in due course with match sights, but I wonder if it was marketed to sell into the bell target or the 6yd target market. Either way what surprises me a bit is that BSA with their sucess in bell target shooting didnt introduce an equivalent of the Supertarget with a decent set of apperture sights. If Webley thought there was a market what was it that stopped BSA going down the same route? Certainly the Club was available but I have never seen any with anything other than standard open sights. Was it that the Webley was more hand made & so varriations were easier to accomodate in production compared to the BSA line? Or are there other reasons?
Any ideas?

[harry mac]

I think it was probably because BSA were more "savvy" to the bell target market. Their products had been market leader in that field for years before WW2, so they were probably better placed to notice the down-turn in popularity of bell target as a sport. Webley came late to the game, trying to corner the market with the Supertarget, but bell target was already on its way out by that time, as was 6yd competition. By the middle of the 1970s, bell target and 6yd shooting had given way almost entirely to 10m matches, best shot with recoilless rifles and pistols.
I think BSA got out while the getting was good, but Webley just didn't read the writing on the wall.

[Josie & John]

Well this is something I'd be interested in hearing opinions on. It's something I've wondered before but my 'production numbers v calibre' question has brought it to mind again.
Back in the early days there were all manner of makes of air rifle being used for bell target shooting, but as time went on BSA seems to have been the preferred maker with various models being available over the years. So I think they were the ones with the largest market share in this sector up until the second world war. Bell target popularity had probably peaked by then but after the war (1939-1945) BSA introduced the Airsporter/Club model, Webley introduced the MkIII & a Supertarget version in due course with match sights, but I wonder if it was marketed to sell into the bell target or the 6yd target market. Either way what surprises me a bit is that BSA with their sucess in bell target shooting didnt introduce an equivalent of the Supertarget with a decent set of apperture sights. If Webley thought there was a market what was it that stopped BSA going down the same route? Certainly the Club was available but I have never seen any with anything other than standard open sights. Was it that the Webley was more hand made & so varriations were easier to accomodate in production compared to the BSA line? Or are there other reasons?
Any ideas?

Parker Hale did offer an aperture sight option for the Airsporter/Club and I have one of each. Both are incredibly accurate and one even has a ramped PH FS21 tunnel foresight fitted to match the 10 AS Sportarget aperture sight. It belonged to a former match shooter. BSA also produced the Mercury Target in 1972 - 3 but in very small numbers.

The advent of recoilless German match air rifles and international 10 Metre match shooting stifled the traditional British distance of 6 yards but did not kill it off entirely as Bell Target has survived to this day. The Muscle Power League has recently resurrected 6 yard match with classic air rifles and long may they enjoy continued success.

John

[ptdunk]

We do a vintage bell target Comp after our monthly Vintage Hft Comp at Lee Valley.
It’s great fun and has led me to learn a bit about the history of Bell target.

the whole thing about training people marksmanship after the Boer war and the idea of brummie pubs ringing to the sound of bells and cheers is very interesting.

Matt.

[trajectory]

Interesting replies. P&H sights on an Airsporter or Club that's something you don't see very often. Is the Airsporter a 177? What mark of Airsporter is it please? I assume it is 177 but if you don't ask you don't find out.
Thanks for I remember the Mercury in its target guise & can quite understand why its not often seen. It must have been a very small take up. Wouldn't mind having a go at making up an Airsporter with contemporary apperture sights, the only thing that puts me off is messing with a 50s Airsporter in 177 but if it could be reverted to original form without any holes etc it might appeal enough to have a go.
Also nice to hear that bell target shooting is still going on........Frank Spittle wrote a nice little book on it, a good read. I'd say its worth getting a copy if you are interested in the topic.

[Josie & John]

Interesting replies. P&H sights on an Airsporter or Club that's something you don't see very often. Is the Airsporter a 177? What mark of Airsporter is it please? I assume it is 177 but if you don't ask you don't find out.
Thanks for I remember the Mercury in its target guise & can quite understand why its not often seen. It must have been a very small take up. Wouldn't mind having a go at making up an Airsporter with contemporary apperture sights, the only thing that puts me off is messing with a 50s Airsporter in 177 but if it could be reverted to original form without any holes etc it might appeal enough to have a go.
Also nice to hear that bell target shooting is still going on........Frank Spittle wrote a nice little book on it, a good read. I'd say its worth getting a copy if you are interested in the topic.

The Sportarget sighted Airsporter Mk1 is a .22, whilst the Sportarget/FS21 sighted rifle is a .177 Mk2. I have seen a similar Mk2 (but with a standard ramped foresight) advertised by John Knibbs' business a year ago for £650, which is no longer being advertised, so I assume it sold. A very nice Sportarget sighted Mk1 recently sold on G*nstar a month or two ago for £300 and I know at least 2 other members on here have owned similar rifles, so they are out there.

Agreed about Frank Spittle's book - I regret never visiting his Museum of Marksmanship when the opportunity was there.

John

[trajectory]

The Sportarget sighted Airsporter Mk1 is a .22, whilst the Sportarget/FS21 sighted rifle is a .177 Mk2. I have seen a similar Mk2 (but with a standard ramped foresight) advertised by John Knibbs' business a year ago for £650, which is no longer being advertised, so I assume it sold. A very nice Sportarget sighted Mk1 recently sold on G*nstar a month or two ago for £300 and I know at least 2 other members on here have owned similar rifles, so they are out there.

Agreed about Frank Spittle's book - I regret never visiting his Museum of Marksmanship when the opportunity was there.

John

John, thanks for that. Just wondering about the term 'Sportarget', is that the trade name they were marketed under or rather a more general description to indicate their potential to fill a dual role? I like the Webley mk III but BSA late version 'target' rifle is beginning to get attractive.