Anglophile Springgunitis!! I'm just coming to terms with the Airsporteritis, is there any end to it?
As a Norwegian with a severe case of Anglophile Springgunitis, I have noticed that all my un-opened Webleys came to me with a very distinct smell...
The Trackers had it, the un-molested Osprey has it, the Victor has it, the Vulcan had it, some of the extra pistons I have bought off fleabay has it, and the Nemesis that came into my possession yesterday has it.
The problem is: Once I have stripped the guns, cleaned the old crud out of them and relubed them with the appropriate lubes recommended today, most of the Original Webley smell is gone
So- can the smell be restored? Is it the so called "web-oil" that creates the smell? Or does the smell of Birminghams lost airgunmanufacturer go away forever once I clean all the old dirt out of the guns?
Anglophile Springgunitis!! I'm just coming to terms with the Airsporteritis, is there any end to it?
So- can the smell be restored? Is it the so called "web-oil" that creates the smell? Or does the smell of Birminghams lost airgunmanufacturer go away forever once I clean all the old dirt out of the guns?[/QUOTE]
It's probrably like the smell of a new car's interior and gradually fades never to return,solvents in the lubricants used.You could always research what currently stands on the site of the Tay Road factory.
If it's residential like the Triumph Motorcycle Factory Meriden site, you could relocate to England.
...some more thoughts: the BSA's I have collcted (Early Supersport, Mercury, and an embarassingly large amount of Mk3-5 Meteors) does not have the same smell, but they are made in the same town. This assures me it must be related to the grease or oil the Webley factory used on their guns.
I've not noticed this with Webleys but old 1980s and 90s Eley Wasps had a distinct smell about them. Whenever a fresh tin was opened, you could smell the quality within. Not that I'm advocating sniffing copious amounts of lead
John
I am a Man of La Northumberlandia, a true Knight and spend my days on my Quest (my duty nay privilege!) and fighting dragons and unbeatable foe, to right the unrightable wrongs, to bear with unbearable sorrow and dreaming my impossible dreams.
I am a Man of La Northumberlandia, a true Knight and spend my days on my Quest (my duty nay privilege!) and fighting dragons and unbeatable foe, to right the unrightable wrongs, to bear with unbearable sorrow and dreaming my impossible dreams.
I only have one Meteor now- It's a nickel plated mk1 in .177cal!, I dislike the later ones for how poorly they're made
I know the old airgun smell and it's beautiful and have only one gun that has the smell but it's German, A clapped out HW35!
Someone greased it so heavily that it could have triggered a worldwide oil shortage!! I cleaned most of it out but couldn't bring myself to completely rid it of all!! I get it out occasionally just to have a quick smell at it!
John
for my gunz guitarz and bonzai, see here
www.flickr.com/photos/8163995@N07/
I have a good sized cupboard in the spare room which at any given time will contain dozens of respectable elderly air guns, my wife can't understand the glazed look that overcomes me when I crack open the door, sniff the contents then close it quickly to preserve the aroma. Pure bliss.
Mel.
I received my first 'serious' air rifle (BSA Cadet Major) as a Christmas present in 1957. The Cadet Major was consequently the first item on my list when I started collecting and shooting classic air guns. The smell and especially the unique noise when the gun is closed after cocking, takes me straight back to my childhood.
As has already been mentioned, there is also a particular moment when you open a cabinet containing some well lubricated old guns, when you just have to inhale deeply.
Regards
Brian
I think it's time to come out.
My name is MEL, I'm an AIRGUN SNIFFER.