FWB Sports

[I. J.]

There is also some differences in the safety catch. One mark has a square hole cut into it.

[jonnyone]

There is also some differences in the safety catch. One mark has a square hole cut into it.

Thanks Ian,

Will check that tomorrow. I gave an "oldie but goodie" early one to my nephew a few years back (its the one you helped me with the plastic trigger after I snapped one) . From memory this had a subtle difference with the cheek piece and the other ones I have but I cant recall what?

Another difference from memory is pistol grip checkering? I'm sure I recall some panel shape differences????

Would be good to get some info on these.

Thanks again for the input.

Dave

[Muskett]

MKIII:
http://i820.photobucket.com/albums/z...9/IMG_3192.jpg
MKII and III:
http://i820.photobucket.com/albums/z...9/IMG_4654.jpg

My favorite MkII set up:
http://i820.photobucket.com/albums/z...e/IMGP6760.jpg

The earliest used to have some red paint on the safety, it wasn't done very well so why they probably stopped. Biggest issue with Sports is that the body tube diameters changed depending what they had in stock or tooled up that month at the time. No two triggers are quite the same.

I.J. has a walnut one I believe.

[jonnyone]

MKIII:
http://i820.photobucket.com/albums/z...9/IMG_3192.jpg
MKII and III:
http://i820.photobucket.com/albums/z...9/IMG_4654.jpg

My favorite MkII set up:
http://i820.photobucket.com/albums/z...e/IMGP6760.jpg

The earliest used to have some red paint on the safety, it wasn't done very well so why they probably stopped. Biggest issue with Sports is that the body tube diameters changed depending what they had in stock or tooled up that month at the time. No two triggers are quite the same.

I.J. has a walnut one I believe.

Thanks muskett. Your pic of the mk111 is the type I have. Identical muzzle weight. Angular stock near pistol grip. No reference to it's mk111 designation on breech block though. Mine still has the shiny importers label on the cylinder tube and I think it does reference it as mk111. Bit daft on such a quality gun. Same as using plastic for the rear sight mind!
Incidentally the one at the weekend came with an Apel one piece mount. A first for me. I have a feeling that the whole gun may have been bought as a package from one of the outlets back in the day.
Thanks again
Dave

[I. J.]

MKIII:


I.J. has a walnut one I believe.

You believe correctly sir. http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Airs...ml?sort=6&o=34

http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Airs...ml?sort=6&o=35

I also have a couple (124 & 127) with factory left hand stocks.

ATB
Ian

[Muskett]

I.J. I continue to live in envy

I do think the MKIII is a very collectable rifle because of its rarity. I would keep yours in best condition if possible for there are plenty to be had for shooting. There aren't too many models of Sports to collect, and plenty were sold as they are such a fine rifle to shoot. A few customs and fully tuned to be had too. But not too many so its not an endless endeavour to collect most examples ever offered.

I showed the Apel mount with cross pin in the picture. The Optima 4x40 compliments the rifle too. A Moonlighter would as well, as would a Kassnar or Tasco. ASI 4x40 would be another option if you could find one and at one point was the type shown in early Air Gun Worlds.
Sports are best shot freehand as they are fidgety and not particularly forgiving being so light weight. They all want to shoot straight even if hard to drive.
Ever Sport trigger is different and most can be made "quite" nice. Same could be said of the Webley Omega though most are close to similar. They will never be a HW Record unit.
Lastly, the barrels are soft and can bend, especially if you let them "fly". Worst if done with a moderator. They still shoot straight even with a banana barrel. Theobens do it too, as do quite a few German rifles.

I'm a huge fan of the Sport having had one, 124, in my teenage years until I upgraded to a Theoben. Don't think I'll ever not have one.

[landymick]

The MK1 has the plastic trigger blade which was later changed for alloy.MK11 have the alloy trigger blade & slotted safety catch.

Early MK1 has a palm swell later stocks are not as well pronounced,it also has the slotted barrel for the wrap around foresight later it was dovetailed.Three foresight types over the years.
Some MK11's have the wider panel checkering on the stock,the ASI imported model had Series MK11 on the breach.

Beeman models are stamped on the right hand side of the cylinder.

The Deluxe Sport came with opens which is the most common & the Target had a peep sight & foresight with different elements.

Manchester Air Rifles had approx 50 with factory Walnut stocks.

The most rare is the .20 version prototype around 3 or so made.

Butt pads are slightly different around 3 types across the years but don't seem year specific apart from the early red shaded type,later ones look to be the same as HW with out the branding.

[jonnyone]

The MK1 has the plastic trigger blade which was later changed for alloy.MK11 have the alloy trigger blade & slotted safety catch.

Early MK1 has a palm swell later stocks are not as well pronounced,it also has the slotted barrel for the wrap around foresight later it was dovetailed.Three foresight types over the years.
Some MK11's have the wider panel checkering on the stock,the ASI imported model had Series MK11 on the breach.

Beeman models are stamped on the right hand side of the cylinder.

The Deluxe Sport came with opens which is the most common & the Target had a peep sight & foresight with different elements.

Manchester Air Rifles had approx 50 with factory Walnut stocks.

The most rare is the .20 version prototype around 3 or so made.

Butt pads are slightly different around 3 types across the years but don't seem year specific apart from the early red shaded type,later ones look to be the same as HW with out the branding.

Thanks for your input. And that of the other guys. I think the point has been made above that they are a desirable acquisition. Rare enough to be desirable for all the reasons we know of but common enough to be found and got with some patience and searching.

As to rarity and collectability (aside of the extremely rare .20 and the very rare factory walnut customs)which would people regard as the most collectible of the rest???
Its really interesting to read of these subtle differences between the differing models.

Musket. Why do you suggest that the Mk111 is desirable? Do you consider it better handling than previous guns? Maybe more handsome? Or perhaps low numbers produced? Just curious?
Dave

[jonnyone]

You believe correctly sir. http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Airs...ml?sort=6&o=34

http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Airs...ml?sort=6&o=35

I also have a couple (124 & 127) with factory left hand stocks.

ATB
Ian

Very tasty indeed Ian. Being a Beeman custom I guess it originates from across the pond? I think our American cousins have a hankering for the FWB too?
I think its a mark of their engineering and quality that even to this day they can still hold their own against modern contemporaries.
Dave

[I. J.]

Very tasty indeed Ian. Being a Beeman custom I guess it originates from across the pond? I think our American cousins have a hankering for the FWB too?

Dave

I was told this is one of a pair that was presented to Alan and Graham at M/c Air Guns for their retailing Beeman parts etc. on this side of the pond.

My two lefties are matching with Apel o/p mounts and period matching Tasco scopes tuned with Maccari internals.

http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Airs...l?sort=6&o=124

[Muskett]

My shooting 124 has Macarri innards and trigger.

Traditionally the early ones should have pleated leather slings