Acvoke Spares & Weird Webley Mk2 Target

[Geezer]

“ A collection of Acvoke air pistol parts…. likely enough to make more than one complete pistol.”

Nah, I bet there’s one unobtainable bit not in there. That’s always the way.

[pnird]

I don't think that's a Mk II; it seems to have a breech plug, and none of my three Mk II's has anything but the usual flat rear surface. I could be wrong (I sometimes am) - anybody comment?

John

[Mach 1.5]

Looks like a cocking aid to me. Mach 1.5

[wilkinww1]

I don't think that's a Mk II; it seems to have a breech plug, and none of my three Mk II's has anything but the usual flat rear surface. I could be wrong (I sometimes am) - anybody comment?

John

Hi John,

I believe some MKIIs do have a breech plug and can therefore be stripped from both ends. Not sure about the barrel; my first thought was that it's a later barrel (from a later Webley) that's been made to fit?

ATB

[Farsight]

I don't think that's a Mk II; it seems to have a breech plug, and none of my three Mk II's has anything but the usual flat rear surface. I could be wrong (I sometimes am) - anybody comment?

John

I believe it has Mk11 Target stamped on it. It's a later one and has the Brum stamp as well.
Looks like a nice gun to me , evidently very little used like mine ! Mine, as it happens, is earlier with only a front plug

[Josie & John]

I don't think that's a Mk II; it seems to have a breech plug, and none of my three Mk II's has anything but the usual flat rear surface. I could be wrong (I sometimes am) - anybody comment?

John

Hi John,

Some late Mk2 Target models did strip from both ends and are a lot rarer than the earlier type that stripped from the front only.

According to my records, 36993 (you may recognise this number!) strips from the front only and 37421 strips from both ends, so the change occurred when numbering reached this point. As with all serial production, there will be models slightly outside this range but it does serve as an approximation. 40882 is the highest Mk2 number known to me, so thank you Brian for highlighting.

Kind regards,

John

[Jerry Cornelius]

. There appears to be a majority of parts for just 1 pistol. There are some bits from other guns (BSA trigger block?) , a few punches and some assorted pins/screws. Nowhere near enough bits for 2 Akvokes.

It’s blinding obvious there cannot be enough parts for two pistols but I have had not great experiences with that auction house and I’m not at all surprised by their description

[edbear2]

Unless that sleeve is tight or glued securely on, I can see it doing more harm than good to user and pistol when it comes off / slips at the worst possible moment



ATB, ED

[Farsight]

Unless that sleeve is tight or glued securely on, I can see it doing more harm than good to user and pistol when it comes off / slips at the worst possible moment



ATB, ED

My first thought ! But I decided to give the owner the benefit of the doubt

[Abasmajor]

Hi John,

Some late Mk2 Target models did strip from both ends and are a lot rarer than the earlier type that stripped from the front only.

According to my records, 36993 (you may recognise this number!) strips from the front only and 37421 strips from both ends, so the change occurred when numbering reached this point. As with all serial production, there will be models slightly outside this range but it does serve as an approximation. 40882 is the highest Mk2 number known to me, so thank you Brian for highlighting.

Kind regards,

John

Hi John,

Interesting that this particular example appears to have the small screw to secure the barrel catch rather than a pin which I thought was only a feature of the first patten pistols.
I never really understood the advantage of the screw solution over the pin except for easier removal of the catch which I would have thought was very rarely necessary.

Brian

[WebleyWombler]

Hi John,

Interesting that this particular example appears to have the small screw to secure the barrel catch rather than a pin which I thought was only a feature of the first patten pistols.
I never really understood the advantage of the screw solution over the pin except for easier removal of the catch which I would have thought was very rarely necessary.

Brian

And the barrel pivot hole has a recess for a keeper screw head but the barrel appears to be pivoted on a rivet. More than just the barrel has been modified methinks. To cap it all , it's serial number is the highest recorded by John so I think he has had knowledge of this exact pistol before.

[Farsight]

And the barrel pivot hole has a recess for a keeper screw head but the barrel appears to be pivoted on a rivet. More than just the barrel has been modified methinks. To cap it all , it's serial number is the highest recorded by John so I think he has had knowledge of this exact pistol before.

Try having another look

[Josie & John]

And the barrel pivot hole has a recess for a keeper screw head but the barrel appears to be pivoted on a rivet. More than just the barrel has been modified methinks. To cap it all , it's serial number is the highest recorded by John so I think he has had knowledge of this exact pistol before.

Sorry - I should have been clearer. This is now the highest serial number known to me as the highest number I previously knew of was 39284 (source: John Griffiths' book).

The top catch screw rather than pin was a Mk 2 feature - perhaps it went some way to justify the de-luxe description?

John

[Farsight]

Hi John,

Interesting that this particular example appears to have the small screw to secure the barrel catch rather than a pin which I thought was only a feature of the first patten pistols.
I never really understood the advantage of the screw solution over the pin except for easier removal of the catch which I would have thought was very rarely necessary.

Brian

In fact the use of a pin means that the catch is weaker because it is slotted right through. The front wings of the "T" on the catch then have a tendency to break off. Of course , this does not answer the question of why they might have changed to a pin . I would suggest that it was an attempt at some commonality between the two Marks to reduce extra processes.

[WebleyWombler]

“ A collection of Acvoke air pistol parts…. likely enough to make more than one complete pistol.”

Nah, I bet there’s one unobtainable bit not in there. That’s always the way.

There appears to be a majority of parts for just 1 pistol. There are some bits from other guns (BSA trigger block?) , a few punches and some assorted pins/screws. Nowhere near enough bits for 2 Akvokes.

I can't work out what disturbs me a little about the MKII. that barrel appears to be out of proportion to the rest of the gun. It may be just the photography or the effect of that barrel sleeve, but it just doesn't sit well in my eyes. I think it's a replacement made from something else but am just not sure. I think the barrel is off a straight grip Senior but what is interesting is:

EDIT Below

Bruce states the MkII was dropped in favour of the new Senior model sometime after Sno. 39000. That pistol is Sno. 40882 , could it be some form of transitional variation?

Either way, it means some new pencil marked corrections in my copy of Bruce's book.