New Webley Service

[Garvin]

FWIW, like Andrew I have grave doubts this venture will succeed while original Mk2 Services in good nick can be bought for £500 or so. Anyone wanting a more powerful, near-legal limit, air rifle will probably go for a more modern one, while the market for a high-priced, non-original classic reproduction without the bells and whistles of the original is surely tiny?

But I applaud the innovation behind the idea.

[micky2]

FWIW, like Andrew I have grave doubts this venture will succeed while original Mk2 Services in good nick can be bought for £500 or so. Anyone wanting a more powerful, near-legal limit, air rifle will probably go for a more modern one, while the market for a high-priced, non-original classic reproduction without the bells and whistles of the original is surely tiny?

But I applaud the innovation behind the idea.

l have to agree with you Danny, why would you do a reproduction of a rifle that there are still plenty of the originals about. with the only advantage being higher power. but good luck to them if they do it.

[andrewM]

Well, after reading all these highly constructive comments, I hope someone will forward them to Sterling. As with launching any product, the views and observations of the potential users are essential. I really hope Sterling is successful with this launch, as and when it occurs, and also hope that it will, in time, give rise to a new family of air rifles from this well-known British manufacturer. There cannot be much more to invent in the field of air-gunning, so all the knowledge must be out there. That being the case, there is no reason why we cannot compete with the Germans on the technical ability - even although it would be pleasing were some new technology to emerge. This being the case, the essence is to capture the market and to do that, only the very best will succeed. An imitation of a design over 80 years old will not necessarily stimulate demand, especially at the price indicated.

[Josie & John]

Well, after reading all these highly constructive comments, I hope someone will forward them to Sterling. As with launching any product, the views and observations of the potential users are essential. I really hope Sterling is successful with this launch, as and when it occurs, and also hope that it will, in time, give rise to a new family of air rifles from this well-known British manufacturer. There cannot be much more to invent in the field of air-gunning, so all the knowledge must be out there. That being the case, there is no reason why we cannot compete with the Germans on the technical ability - even although it would be pleasing were some new technology to emerge. This being the case, the essence is to capture the market and to do that, only the very best will succeed. An imitation of a design over 80 years old will not necessarily stimulate demand, especially at the price indicated.

Hi Andrew,

The Sterling stand at the show also had a full stocked PCP on display, where the walnut stock ended in a Schnabel tip and had s Stutzen look about it. With its Mannlicher profiled spoon shaped bolt, I felt this was one of the first PCPs that actually looked stylish. I should have photographed it but was concentrating on the Service. Nigel Allen filmed it whilst I was handling it for his You Tube Airgun TV channel if anyone is interested in this classically shaped PCP.

John

[erichtfisherman]

City Air weapons, Solihull advertising them for sale pre order £975 on G..star.

[T 20]

City Air weapons, Solihull advertising them for sale pre order £975 on G..star.

Is that for a Matched pair ?

[Josie & John]

City Air weapons, Solihull advertising them for sale pre order £975 on G..star.

Thanks Tim,

That's crazy - these rifles are unlikely to be available for some time and are not yet in production. Estimated price is between £700 and £900 according to Sterling.

Kind regards,

John

[micky2]

City Air weapons, Solihull advertising them for sale pre order £975 on G..star.

Hi Tim it could be that Stirling arms are testing the water with the reaction to pre-release?.

[andrewM]

Hi Andrew,

The Sterling stand at the show also had a full stocked PCP on display, where the walnut stock ended in a Schnabel tip and had s Stutzen look about it. With its Mannlicher profiled spoon shaped bolt, I felt this was one of the first PCPs that actually looked stylish. I should have photographed it but was concentrating on the Service. Nigel Allen filmed it whilst I was handling it for his You Tube Airgun TV channel if anyone is interested in this classically shaped PCP.

John

Hi John!

If you could advise a contact email address for Sterling (I could not find one via the internet), I will forward to them the link here, so they can read the comments from various collectors and enthusiasts (I wonder if there is a discussion in place on the General Airgun forum, here, too). Were I the manufacturer, I would be keen to read the constructive comments. Alternatively, perhaps you could let them have the link, yourself, if you have not already done so.

Best
A

[Josie & John]

Hi John!

If you could advise a contact email address for Sterling (I could not find one via the internet), I will forward to them the link here, so they can read the comments from various collectors and enthusiasts (I wonder if there is a discussion in place on the General Airgun forum, here, too). Were I the manufacturer, I would be keen to read the constructive comments. Alternatively, perhaps you could let them have the link, yourself, if you have not already done so.

Best
A

Hi Andrew,

I have only just seen your post - sorry for delayed response but pleased Sterling can access some of the very interesting comments this thread has generated.

John

[andrewM]

It seems to me we have all come to a conclusion of sorts:

1 The price is very high; why buy a powerful springer at this price when you can buy two or three other makes for the amount suggested or a modern pcp, with enough change to purchase a springer too?
2 The sights should encompass a choice between peep sights and open sights, similar to the original, preferably with improved open sights, which should be iron not plastic.
3 A scope rail should be added as, otherwise, it will not appeal to anything other than collectors, of which there is probably a very small number at the price suggested.
4 Some - but not all - collectors want a changeable barrel; this is something that some ordinary shooters might find attractive too but can the practical problems be overcome? Suggestions have been made as to how this might be done.
5 Rather like motor cars, which copy the original designs (the BMW Mini, the VW Beatle, etc), a new Mk2 should seek to improve, measurably, on the old model. Otherwise, as many have suggested, collectors might as well buy the old model and be done with it!
6 Will the new Mk2 appeal to modern shooters? Diana have successfully copied the WW2 Mauser but this is hardly comparable. The modern Diana Mauser is priced at about £300 and displays its own features.
7 What is the market for the new rifle, embracing new shooters and collectors, within the context of the suggested price? Is it sufficiently large to make this proposal profitable?
8 What else does the new Mk2 offer and what of the trigger, handling and balance? How will Sterling improve an antiquated design, which was quite peculiar even in the 1930s?
9 Everyone applauds Sterling for its innovative approach and we all want it to succeed but has it identified a niche in the market place that will provide a worthwhile return on capital which, in turn, will lead to further innovative designs elsewhere? By the way, will the barrel be British or a German import?

I think this summarises the situation but apologies if I have missed something. Meanwhile, I agree with Garvin that the gas ram recoilless rifle sounds most interesting and I would like to know more.

I think this news has excited many; let's hope they get it right.

[cinedux]

There are big overseas markets.

[Shed tuner]

FWIW, like Andrew I have grave doubts this venture will succeed while original Mk2 Services in good nick can be bought for £500 or so. Anyone wanting a more powerful, near-legal limit, air rifle will probably go for a more modern one, while the market for a high-priced, non-original classic reproduction without the bells and whistles of the original is surely tiny?

But I applaud the innovation behind the idea.

yeah I agree.. also if you pay £500 for an original, it's only going to be worth more a few years later. Pay £900 for the repro, and it'll be worth what, £200 less ?

As said, I love the idea, but pricing is tricky to swallow...

[oneseven]

yeah I agree.. also if you pay £500 for an original, it's only going to be worth more a few years later. Pay £900 for the repro, and it'll be worth what, £200 less ?

As said, I love the idea, but pricing is tricky to swallow...

It it could be worth much more. How much were Whiscomes originally compared to what they cost now?

[Troubledshooter]

It it could be worth much more. How much were Whiscomes originally compared to what they cost now?

Just remind me, what were Whiscombe's a copy of ?