Pre-WW2 air pistol competitions?

[Geezer]

We’re all quite familiar with the formalisation of competitive air rifle shooting from the 1900s onwards.

But, while I can track the evolution of modern air pistol 10M comps from the 1950s, paralleling the emergence and evolution of 10M air rifle in and from Germany, I for one have no idea what, if any, organised and codified (as opposed to informal, maybe club-based?) competition disciplines may have existed before WW2.

The only specialised pre-WW2 target air pistol I can think of is the Webley Mk2, which Bruce says was produced to meet the demand of competition shooters, principally in the US.

So which competitions, where, at what distance, what course of fire (etc)?

And, assuming the competitions existed, why is the Webley the only pre-WW2 target special I can think of, and was it the best choice?

[45flint]

I really doubt there were formal air pistol competitions in the US. I imagine the Webley Target was used to simulate 22 Target pistols for practice indoors or backyard? I have a 1919 BSA Light that was owned by the winner of the small bore US Championship in 1923. I assume he used the BSA rifle in the same way. Think I read we in the US we liked the Webley cause it had a similar grip to out Colt 1911?

[Powderfinger]

Interesting topic. I look forward to finding out if there were air pistol comps in the UK before WW2. It was a lot easier to own firearms in those days even after 1920. Perhaps club supplies of .22 cartridges and ammo taken home from military service meant little interest in using air pistols for cheap competitions.

[ptdunk]

Interesting question... also looking forward to seeing what people think.

With regards to suitable pistols I found the pre war Diana mod 5 surprisingly accurate, and the ‘broom handle’ type grip is a lot more stable than it looks.

Cheers,
Matt

[WebleyWombler]

Interesting question... also looking forward to seeing what people think.

With regards to suitable pistols I found the pre war Diana mod 5 surprisingly accurate, and the ‘broom handle’ type grip is a lot more stable than it looks.

Cheers,
Matt

It is indeed an interesting question and the Diana 5 is a good suggestion. I know that some German police forces used Haenal model 28s for training as there have been some post on here about it.

Due to post WW1 restrictions, I wonder whether the sport flourished in Germany alongside the target air rifle scene. Gallery shooting over there had flourished for a long time , especially dart shooting, so I wonder whether that indoor sport simply evolved using pellets?

Possibly our members with German contacts may know more?

[Josie & John]

Organised air pistol shooting was very limited in the U.K. prior to WW2. The only references I have been able to find are a number of 'Have a Go' competitions at Bisley during formal rifle meetings. Webley used to organise them and it was as much a way of marketing their pistols as anything else.

I'd love to learn of more organised prewar pistol comps either here in the U.K. or worldwide as this is a fascinating subject.

John M

[Abasmajor]

Westley Richards and A. G. Parker literature mention informal air pistol competition in barrack rooms and on ocean liners, but I'm nor aware of anything more formal in this country anyway.
Brian

[Garvin]

Interesting question, Brian. I wonder if the Webley Mk2 Target was so called more for marketing reasons than because it was designed for formal competition? It's not as if it has especially adjustable sights, or anything else that really shows it was designed for target shooters. (Or at least I can't think of any).

[Abasmajor]

Interesting question, Brian. I wonder if the Webley Mk2 Target was so called more for marketing reasons than because it was designed for formal competition? It's not as if it has especially adjustable sights, or anything else that really shows it was designed for target shooters. (Or at least I can't think of any).

Hello Danny,
I think the Mk2 Target was just as you say, a name given to a deluxe version of the Mk1 until it was eventually superceded by the superior Senior model.
Brian

[Garvin]

Hello Danny,
I think the Mk2 Target was just as you say, a name given to a deluxe version of the Mk1 until it was eventually superceded by the superior Senior model.
Brian

I can just imagine the conversation in the Webley marketing department when they learned the boffins in the engineering dept had developed the bronze rings piston seal. "How can we present this as a 'target special' and sell a load more air pistols?", they asked (yes, I'm that cynical!).

I suppose the question is, did the Mk2 plus Mk1 sales represent an increase on the number of Mk1s that would have sold anyway? Hard to untangle.