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

[greenwayjames]

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

Some early airsporter stocks were obtained from an Italian manufacturer. I had one and it had the SILE manufacturers stamp inside the inletting. The reason BSA and Webley got rid of their stockmaking plants was due to the difficulties in obtaining regular supplies of timber, especially beech, most of which came from eastern block countries. I believe it timing was around the 1970's but am not sure.. The Italian companies concentrated on woodwork where BSA and W&S made guns as a main product line. I believe some of the redundant stockmaking equipment was used bt a Sheffield stockmaking company when they first started up in business.

[keith66]

I was given an early Mk1 Airsporter a few years ago & its stock is made up of 3 pieces, It is most definately,
absolutely 100% beech!

[Airsporterman]

Well, whatever wood they were stocked with, any good example of BSAs Mk1 is in my opinion, the best Airsporter ever made, lovely one piece tapered barrel and beautiful classic lines...slobber...drool...ooh er Mrs, I feel me 'Airsporteritis' flaring up again!
Apologies gents!

ASM

[greenwayjames]

Well, whatever wood they were stocked with, any good example of BSAs Mk1 is in my opinion, the best Airsporter ever made, lovely one piece tapered barrel and beautiful classic lines...slobber...drool...ooh er Mrs, I feel me 'Airsporteritis' flaring up again!
Apologies gents!

ASM

Plus 1

[piggy589]

Didn't some of the BSA brochures mention Scandinavian wood?

[Garvin]

To illustrate some of the variety of woods that turn up on postwar BSAs, here's a Cadet with three-piece spliced walnut and another with plain one-piece walnut:

[rancidtom]

Didn't some of the BSA brochures mention Scandinavian wood?

Pining for the fjords perchance?

[johnbaz]

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 one the same!!, Forelimbs are definitely Beech, Rear part is deffo walnut!!

The beech part is on the left of this mk1 stock that I had to glue and dowel!!, Rearpart is the walnut bit at the right..






And the rather pretty one I bought from B'rider




By the way- I'm pretty sure the Sile one piece stocks were beech too


John

[Airsporterman]

I have one the same!!, Forelimbs are definitely Beech, Rear part is deffo walnut!!

The beech part is on the left of this mk1 stock that I had to glue and dowel!!, Rearpart is the walnut bit at the right..






And the rather pretty one I bought from B'rider




By the way- I'm treey sure the Sile one piece stocks were beech too


John

John mate - you have me drooling again with that ‘Tiger stripe’!

Yes, I believe the Sile one piece stocks were beech - never seen one but I have read/heard this before too!
Nothing wrong with Beech mind - it's a strong and dense hardwood and generally contains fewer flaws and blemishes but it's naturally lighter colour and featureless appearance often makes people prefer other hardwoods. (probably why it's often stained darker)
I have always regarded Beech as a quality hardwood but it's difficult to beat nicely figured walnut! ASM

[pr-pdi]

Thank you all for an interesting & informative response, my Mk1 is in need of full restoration so it’s on its way to be reblued and full serviced, the stock was shown to one of the high street dealers, he wouldn’t confirm walnut or not, but he said it looks like it could be beech with someone quite skilfully taking a blow torch to it with good results, not knowing quite what to do with it I showed it to a friend, with nothing to lose he lightly cleaned & French Polished it which has very surprisingly produced remarkable results, so I’m very pleased to say that Mk1 serial number G12098 will shortly be back to full glory and shooting as well as it ever did, maybe even better, thanks guys for a great response, brilliant stuff 🙂

[Vic Thompson]

I'm absolutely convinced albeit against most commonly held beliefs, that due to wood shortages during the construction period of the MK 1 Airsporter that alternatives to Walnut were used during the time of their manufacture. and in addition, whilst I can't remember all but a few details of the minutiae of of my conversations with BSA at the time, their representative appeared to be in agreement with my opinion.

Vic Thompson.

[Blackrider]

Go on John (Johnbaz) give us some more
Pics of the Mk. 1 “Tiger job” Grrrrr !

[Geezer]

I'm absolutely convinced albeit against most commonly held beliefs, that due to wood shortages during the construction period of the MK 1 Airsporter that alternatives to Walnut were used during the time of their manufacture. and in addition, whilst I can't remember all but a few details of the minutiae of of my conversations with BSA at the time, their representative appeared to be in agreement with my opinion.

Vic Thompson.

Agreed.

Did you really talk to BSA in 1947-48?

[Garvin]

Agreed.

Did you really talk to BSA in 1947-48?

Didn't you know Vic is 95?

[Vic Thompson]

It wasn't at that time that I spoke to BSA but the mid 1970's . Roger Wackrow who was involved in the development of post war BSA's was still around and we spent hours on the phone talking about BSA's. And as some of you know he sent me copies of BSA pre War Underlever Blueprints for parts that I was making at the time.

And Garvin is all but right about my age, I talk like I'm 95, walk like I'm 95, look like I'm 95, but I'm actually all but 73 (due to spending all my time playing with airguns and not eating healthily or taking part in strenuous pursuits like the rest of you).

Vic Thompson.