Here is an interesting article on the Webley Mk3

[andrewM]

I noticed this article from the ShootingUK website on the Webley Mk3, and its history, and thought others would like to see it as well.

https://www.shootinguk.co.uk/feature...%2Fsec%20in%20.

There is an equally good article on the Webley Mk2 as well.

Some of the other articles were also of interest, which are listed at the foot of the page. One of these recommends the tuner, Paul Short.

Reverting to the Mk3, my accuracy testing has revealed that following button rifling - introduced around 1970 - the accuracy much improved. I tested three older Mk3s, pre-button rifling, and they all produced very poor accuracy at 25yds, in the form of 3in groups or worse. In a thread two or three years ago, this view was backed by others, here. On the other hand, it might be that there was much inconsistency in the manufacturing process relating to the rifling for the earlier rifles in that I have heard that some older Mk3s that have been highly accurate, although I have yet to see one myself. Indeed, according to the article, the company boasted tight groups at 40yds by the standards appertaining in the day for open sights.

Rgds
A

[PaulK62]

I enjoyed reading both the Webley MK II and MK III articles. Thanks for the post.

[Re01312]

Quite enjoyed reading the article you posted. Just obtained my 1st webley MK 3 and a Mk2 v3. These are rarely for sale in the US.
happy I learned about the left handed trigger guard screw, great stuff to learn about my new kit. Cheers Randall

[andrewM]

Most pleasing to have members from the other side of the Atlantic. I wonder how easy it is to find spares for older airguns over there. You might therefore find it helpful to know that there are at least two British firms that specialise in spares over here: Knibbs and Chambers. A Google search will produce their websites and offerings. In addition, the members here are excellent with regard to advice relating to everything there is to know about airguns.

Rgds
A

[Faerie]

That's an interesting article, and for me particularly because "Webley’s post-war air rifle products were substantially of German design!"

After the war, the designs, machinery, and tooling for many German items were taken as War Reparations and sold off to British companies, hence Millard Brothers acquisition of Mayer & Grammelspacher's former equipment & designs.
I wonder whether the design for the Webley Mk3 came via the same route or whether (given that Webley had already tooled up) they simply felt safe in producing a clone of a German design ? It may be worth noting that (AFAIK) Mibro didn't produce an underlever rifle, so perhaps they passed on that design & Webley got it instead ?

[rapidresponse1]

found it a interesting read

[andrewM]

That's an interesting article, and for me particularly because "Webley’s post-war air rifle products were substantially of German design!"

After the war, the designs, machinery, and tooling for many German items were taken as War Reparations and sold off to British companies, hence Millard Brothers acquisition of Mayer & Grammelspacher's former equipment & designs.
I wonder whether the design for the Webley Mk3 came via the same route or whether (given that Webley had already tooled up) they simply felt safe in producing a clone of a German design ? It may be worth noting that (AFAIK) Mibro didn't produce an underlever rifle, so perhaps they passed on that design & Webley got it instead ?

Yes, I found the article a little confusing due to the Milbro reference and it seemed that Milbro had bought the design. I don't know the sequence of events.

However, whilst Webley might have largely used a German design, we can rest assured that the Germans pinched their designs from BSA/Lincoln Jefferies some decades previously, from which their Dianas then originated! Indeed, the Germans pre-WW1 were well known for copying everything we did and had been well behind in their industrial revolution. Alas, once they started they caught up and then exceeded us very quickly.

Rgds
A

[Josie & John]

That's an interesting article, and for me particularly because "Webley’s post-war air rifle products were substantially of German design!"

After the war, the designs, machinery, and tooling for many German items were taken as War Reparations and sold off to British companies, hence Millard Brothers acquisition of Mayer & Grammelspacher's former equipment & designs.
I wonder whether the design for the Webley Mk3 came via the same route or whether (given that Webley had already tooled up) they simply felt safe in producing a clone of a German design ? It may be worth noting that (AFAIK) Mibro didn't produce an underlever rifle, so perhaps they passed on that design & Webley got it instead ?

Milbro did indeed produce an underlever from 1955 until the early 1960s: the G55, which was a take on the Original Model 50.

[PaulK62]

That's an interesting article, and for me particularly because "Webley’s post-war air rifle products were substantially of German design!"

After the war, the designs, machinery, and tooling for many German items were taken as War Reparations and sold off to British companies, hence Millard Brothers acquisition of Mayer & Grammelspacher's former equipment & designs.
I wonder whether the design for the Webley Mk3 came via the same route or whether (given that Webley had already tooled up) they simply felt safe in producing a clone of a German design ? It may be worth noting that (AFAIK) Mibro didn't produce an underlever rifle, so perhaps they passed on that design & Webley got it instead ?

From what I've read in various publications about airgun history, Webley had in mind an air rifle of their own design to supersede the Mk II. But, instead of reinventing the wheel, they decided to essentially copy the pre-war Diana 45's design to expedite production.

[PaulK62]

Most pleasing to have members from the other side of the Atlantic. I wonder how easy it is to find spares for older airguns over there. You might therefore find it helpful to know that there are at least two British firms that specialise in spares over here: Knibbs and Chambers. A Google search will produce their websites and offerings. In addition, the members here are excellent with regard to advice relating to everything there is to know about airguns.

Rgds
A

That's very kind of you to say, Andrew. I've been collecting airguns for well over forty years (mostly European wood and steel with an emphasis on Webleys), so even though I'm newly registered, I've been a longtime lurker on this forum. Having retired fairly recently, I now have more time to engage in the hobby.

And thank you for the tip on spares. I knew about Knibbs, but not Chambers.

Best,
Paul

[Faerie]

Milbro did indeed produce an underlever from 1955 until the early 1960s: the G55, which was a take on the Original Model 50.

Great, thanks for the info.
In the 70's, a friend had an Original Model 50 that was probably a "bring back" from someone who had served in Germany. It was the only "stutzen" stocked rifle I'd seen at the time, and I wasn't aware that Milbro had made a copy.