Weblube and Weboil

[andrewM]

Before Webley went into receivership, it produced two types of oil/lubricant: Weblube and Weboil.

I have an example of Weboil, which is described on the label as a mineral based oil, used for cleaning rust and for lubricating air pistols but not, it says, for high performance air rifles. For the latter, Webley recommended Weblube.

Does anyone know what Weblube contained? Perhaps someone still has an example. Presumably, it was used for the occasional drop through the transfer port.

Rgds
A

[I. J.]

Now Im no 'Webleyite' or expert on Webleys, guns, pellets or oils. The only thing I know is to avoid their pistols. but Ive never come across these before.

[laverdabru]

Before Webley went into receivership, it produced two types of oil/lubricant: Weblube and Weboil.

I have an example of Weboil, which is described on the label as a mineral based oil, used for cleaning rust and for lubricating air pistols but not, it says, for high performance air rifles. For the latter, Webley recommended Weblube.

Does anyone know what Weblube contained? Perhaps someone still has an example. Presumably, it was used for the occasional drop through the transfer port.

Rgds
A

Think Weblube was a synthetic oil. According to the Thrale book, name was trademarked in 1979, 'specifically designed for the higher temps that occur in rifles.'
The Bruce book expands slightly, 'a lubricating oil with special cleaning & protective coating properties'. for high power rifles, & further notes it 'was not compatible with certain moulded components'.
ATB

Bru

[Abasmajor]

Think Weblube was a synthetic oil. According to the Thrale book, name was trademarked in 1979, 'specifically designed for the higher temps that occur in rifles.'
The Bruce book expands slightly, 'a lubricating oil with special cleaning & protective coating properties'. for high power rifles, & further notes it 'was not compatible with certain moulded components'.
ATB

Bru

It was normal practice for Webley to soak the leather piston washers in large trays full of Neatsfoot oil prior to assembly. Neatsfoot oil is derived from the feet of oxen by boiling in water to produce a fatty organic substance. As a lubricant, it lacked impurities and had a very high flashpoint making it ideal for this purpose.
By 1926 Webley offered a second type of lubricant better suited to the bronze piston rings fitted to the Mk2 Target and Senior pistols with a higher viscosity more appropriate to the metal-to-metal contact in those models. Synthetic oils were developed in later years which were deemed suitable for universal use with air guns.
Brian

[andrewM]

Thank you for these interesting responses - and the pic, I.J.

I have instructions for the old B.ham produced Longbow and they refer to using Weblube. This is what caused me to ask about its contents. I wondered, for example, if it was similar to Abbey SM50.

I obtained Neatsfoot compound a while ago from Protek and rely on it for leather washers. The more modern Webleys, however, had by then ceased the use of leather washers.

Probably, someone still has a small bottle of Weblube, in which case it would be interesting to see what the manufacturers were advising for their own rifles.

Rgds
A

[Troubledshooter]

I have a small plastic bottle of Weblube, a synthetic oil, which has no instructions for use on the bottle, and was bottled for Webley by Anderol, unlike Weboil, an SAE 30 mineral oil, which has brief instructions for use on the label.
There was also a later edition from the Webley Venom Custom Shop of Moly Gun Oil in a small plastic bottle.

[Binners]

Now Im no 'Webleyite' or expert on Webleys, guns, pellets or oils. The only thing I know is to avoid their pistols. but Ive never come across these before.

I have often seen the term 'airgun porn' so there must be a market for them.

[I. J.]

I have often seen the term 'airgun porn' so there must be a market for them.

I will take your word for it.

[andrewM]

I have a small plastic bottle of Weblube, a synthetic oil, which has no instructions for use on the bottle, and was bottled for Webley by Anderol, unlike Weboil, an SAE 30 mineral oil, which has brief instructions for use on the label.
There was also a later edition from the Webley Venom Custom Shop of Moly Gun Oil in a small plastic bottle.

Yes, the Weboil has a label with instructions but the adhesive is poor and I wonder, therefore, if the label for your Weblube separated itself.

What do people use today, I wonder? Abbey SM50 is a compound, I understand and might not be quite the same thing. I am rather keen to find out what Webley were recommending, to see if it can be replicated with another available product.

[Troubledshooter]

Yes, the Weboil has a label with instructions but the adhesive is poor and I wonder, therefore, if the label for your Weblube separated itself.

What do people use today, I wonder? Abbey SM50 is a compound, I understand and might not be quite the same thing. I am rather keen to find out what Webley were recommending, to see if it can be replicated with another available product.

The Weblude bottle is smaller than the Weboil bottle, and has a gold on black imprinted label rather than a paper one, with no room for instructions.
The problem with the adhesive on the Weboil bottle is that it is not oil resistant. I have a box of new full Weboil bottles, and each one has a movable label due to oil ingression.
The only later lubricant offering I have is as mentioned, the Custom Gun Shop Moly oil.

[andrewM]

The Weblude bottle is smaller than the Weboil bottle, and has a gold on black imprinted label rather than a paper one, with no room for instructions.
The problem with the adhesive on the Weboil bottle is that it is not oil resistant. I have a box of new full Weboil bottles, and each one has a movable label due to oil ingression.
The only later lubricant offering I have is as mentioned, the Custom Gun Shop Moly oil.

Yes, that is exactly the same as my bottle of Weboil: the label slithers around because it is not oil resistant.

What do you suggest I might use for my Longbow, instead of Weblube? Is the Custom Gun Shop moly oil still in stock and would this be an equivalent or better substitute, do you think? If so, do you have their details and do they have a website, do you know?

On another, unrelated matter, do you still have any Mk3 mainsprings? As I recall, I bought one of these from you a year or so ago. It took a little time to bed in but is now producing an improved output for one of my two Mk3s. It might be worth having a second one on hand, just in case I ever require one.

Rgds
A

[Troubledshooter]

I can't really advise on the best current lubricants to use on a Longbow, as I've never shot one in anger and no longer have any in my collection, so have not needed to lubricate any. There are several well known tune up experts on this forum, so they would probably be the best people to ask.
I don't know what, if any, lubricants Webley currently sell, and the Venom Custom Shop Moly oil bottle is probably no longer available as the label has the coiled serpents logo on it.
I do still have a few original new Webley Mk.3 AR40 Mainsprings.

[andrewM]

I can't really advise on the best current lubricants to use on a Longbow, as I've never shot one in anger and no longer have any in my collection, so have not needed to lubricate any. There are several well known tune up experts on this forum, so they would probably be the best people to ask.
I don't know what, if any, lubricants Webley currently sell, and the Venom Custom Shop Moly oil bottle is probably no longer available as the label has the coiled serpents logo on it.
I do still have a few original new Webley Mk.3 AR40 Mainsprings.

Thanks. If you know the identities of the tune-up experts, I will send them a PM for their advice. I don't want to deal with the present Webley people, who have no connection with the old Webley.

I will PM you re AR40 spring.

Rgds
A