BSA Airsporter Mk1 All Produced With Walnut Stocks or Not All Please ???

[pr-pdi]

Hi Having recently received an Airsporter Mk1 S/no G12098 bought from seeing photos and confirmation this had an original Walnut stock as ALL Mk1’s were walnut, it doesn’t look like it, it definitely is a Mk1 three piece stock ok, but looks to me to be beech with dabs of carefully placed old engine.

I don’t want to be unduly cynical as I’d like it to be walnut, but can anyone confirm please ???

[Blackrider]

Hi Having recently received an Airsporter Mk1 S/no G12098 bought from seeing photos and confirmation this had an original Walnut stock as ALL Mk1’s were walnut, it doesn’t look like it, it definitely is a Mk1 three piece stock ok, but looks to me to be beech with dabs of carefully placed old engine.

I don’t want to be unduly cynical as I’d like it to be walnut, but can anyone confirm please ???

I once had a Mk 1 which and a very bland walnut stock but on the other hand I also once had a beautiful Mk 1 with a walnut stock that resembled the markings on a Bengal Tiger !

[Garvin]

I've never once seen a Mk1 Airsporter without a walnut stock and I've seen a lot over the years.

[pr-pdi]

Thanks Guys, that’s put my mind at rest a bit, mine is probably walnut just that someone has decided to make it look a bit more interesting but not done a convincing job! I will see if I can get to one of the dealers to finally confirm, a stock with Bengal tiger strips! yes please! if ever one of those became available premium price accepted! Cheers to all

[Binners]

Thanks Guys, that’s put my mind at rest a bit, mine is probably walnut just that someone has decided to make it look a bit more interesting but not done a convincing job! I will see if I can get to one of the dealers to finally confirm, a stock with Bengal tiger strips! yes please! if ever one of those became available premium price accepted! Cheers to all

Johnbaz on here has one sooo tigered, it could be a brown zebra

[gingernut]

More likely a Tigger because they are wonderful things.

[Blackrider]

Johnbaz on here has one sooo tigered, it could be a brown zebra

That’s the very one Pete, nicest Mk 1 Airsporter I’ve ever come across !
Has the BSA stamping on the butt too....Class !

[Binners]

[Binners]

More likely a Tigger because they are wonderful things.

Rubber and Springs

[Airsporterman]

BSA did have problems obtaining wood for stocks at one stage, some stocks were obtained from an Italian manufacturer, these were all 1 piece.
It's possible that you may have a mix of wood in a 3 piece stock, some of the colours of the walnut stocks can differ greatly, none of my Mk1s stocks look the same although they are all the same in each rifle - I have seen some that are not.
It's even possible that you have a mix of hardwoods in your 3 piece - I am sure I have heard of this before with someone swearing it was part beech.

ASM

[rockdrill]

At one point I did have a Mk1 with the three piece stock which I was certain had a mix of wood, the butt and pistol grip being definitely walnut, but the fore end pieces I would say were beech, as opposed to just bland walnut.

[Airsporterman]

At one point I did have a Mk1 with the three piece stock which I was certain had a mix of wood, the butt and pistol grip being definitely walnut, but the fore end pieces I would say were beech, as opposed to just bland walnut.

I have certainly heard of this before and would believe it possible, as I say, BSA had difficulty obtaining suitable wood for stocks, especially during the war years.
The whole concept of 3 piece stocks (I believe) would be down to the fact it's easier to make a stock out of 3 smaller pieces of wood than out of 1 piece - I may be wrong but it would make sense!
I saw one Mk1 stock that was made out of 3 very differing colours of walnut - cannot say I liked it!

ASM

[The Bailiff]

A friend has a very early Mk 1 It has never even seen a walnut tree !
He has owned it for about 60 years. Bought s/h.

[Geezer]

I have certainly heard of this before and would believe it possible, as I say, BSA had difficulty obtaining suitable wood for stocks, especially during the war years.
The whole concept of 3 piece stocks (I believe) would be down to the fact it's easier to make a stock out of 3 smaller pieces of wood than out of 1 piece - I may be wrong but it would make sense!
I saw one Mk1 stock that was made out of 3 very differing colours of walnut - cannot say I liked it!

ASM

Agree with all of that. I’d note in passing that the very first (1947-48) Webley Mk3s were stocked in birch, because of limited availability and/or high cost of walnut blanks.

[rockdrill]

I’d note in passing that the very first (1947-48) Webley Mk3s were stocked in birch, because of limited availability and/or high cost of walnut blanks.

This example is number 31:



I would say this one looks like walnut.