Webley MK3 Dating?

[laverdabru]

Unless, of course, during the last 55 years someone has taken off the lacquer & recoated it. Unlikely, but possible.
Due to it chipping, the lacquer finish was not popular with some owners.

Bru

[Jonathan G]

Of course yes but this is definitely Walnut with quite attractive grain.

[laverdabru]

Webley used walnut from 1948 or 1949 right to the end of Mk 3 production in 1975. I think only very early ones used anything else. Mentioned elsewhere I bought a late, lacquered one because it had a lovely grain. Did very briefly consider stripping & refinishing it, but decided to keep it original.
It is interesting to see the cost-cutting evident between my early '60's & '70's examples.

Bru

[Mikeymoo]

Unless, of course, during the last 55 years someone has taken off the lacquer & recoated it. Unlikely, but possible.
Due to it chipping, the lacquer finish was not popular with some owners.

Bru

I have one that has been sanded back to bare wood which is quite pale with a jet black line running nearly the whole length of the stock.....it obviously never left the factory like this but it is not your normal Mk3

[Tom1958]

Webley used walnut from 1948 or 1949 right to the end of Mk 3 production in 1975. I think only very early ones used anything else. Mentioned elsewhere I bought a late, lacquered one because it had a lovely grain. Did very briefly consider stripping & refinishing it, but decided to keep it original.
It is interesting to see the cost-cutting evident between my early '60's & '70's examples.

Bru

I'm having a dilemma with a 1975 mk 3 ST, the one from Perkins. The stock as been redone by a previous owner, can actually see brush marks in places and the gloss as worn away on the grip below the rear sight.

So I need to refinish the stock but part of me says maybe go for the oiled walnut route but I'm bit of a nerd when it comes to keeping it original for a 1975 gun from the factory, so it will probably be several coats of yacht varnish carefully scrubbed with wire wool between coats. I don't know

[laverdabru]

I'm having a dilemma with a 1975 mk 3 ST, the one from Perkins. The stock as been redone by a previous owner, can actually see brush marks in places and the gloss as worn away on the grip below the rear sight.

So I need to refinish the stock but part of me says maybe go for the oiled walnut route but I'm bit of a nerd when it comes to keeping it original for a 1975 gun from the factory, so it will probably be several coats of yacht varnish carefully scrubbed with wire wool between coats. I don't know

Funnily enough, within the last hour taken out both my early '60's & '70's one out. The lacquer on the 70's one isn't that bad, though marked in places. Lovely tiger stock - main reason I bought it!
Your gun - your choice. If mine had needed doing, I think I'd now go the varnish route. Sure a while ago someone here mentioned an alternative to yacht varnish.

Bru

[deejayuu]

Stain to desired shade/colour, then spray can clear coat maybe. Have had pleasing result but not on a stock. Try on scrap first.

[abellringer]

I believe early MKIII stocks used maybe birch ??? if English; due to lack of decent wood following WWII. I believe the first batch of walnut ones were made in France and imported. Just not 100% sure on the other wood that was used first. I have a pre 2500 one which has the first tap type, this has a walnut stock, but not matching serial numbers to the action as was factory practice for many years; so maybe that had the cheaper stock originally and a walnut replacement later.

[laverdabru]

I believe early MKIII stocks used maybe birch ??? if English; due to lack of decent wood following WWII. I believe the first batch of walnut ones were made in France and imported. Just not 100% sure on the other wood that was used first. I have a pre 2500 one which has the first tap type, this has a walnut stock, but not matching serial numbers to the action as was factory practice for many years; so maybe that had the cheaper stock originally and a walnut replacement later.

Allegedly early ones were birch, & possibly some in maple. Webley apparently tried a laminate, but it was found 'unsatisfactory'. The first batch of 1176 french walnut stocks came in 1947. according to Mr Thrale, but didn't appear on rifles until '48 or '49.

Bru