Sleeping Webley

[laverdabru]

I have a much later Webley Jaguar which I used to teach my daughter and later my granddaughters how to shoot.

Over the years it had become weary and it has just returned from being revived by a good mate. I can't begin to say just how much pleasure shooting the little rifle again has given me, bringing back many, many happy memories.

These junior rifles have so much to offer and are superb quiet back garden plinkers.

I was wondering if anyone could please tell me when it (serial no: 4541) was manufactured?

Just had a quick look at the Thrales book, not much about serial numbers. The Jaguar was made from 1964 to 1977. It's thought that the predecessor Junior had batch, rather than serial numbers, if I understand correctly. At a guess, likely the later model was the same. But if I'm wrong, no doubt someone will let us know.
I too appreciate 'Junior' rifles. Alas, not many survive in good condition, having led harsh lives & for cost reasons, not alway built to the same quality of their bigger brethren.

Bru

[wil95k]

I taught my son & daughter how to shoot/ gun safety with one.Were they made by Diana and re badged as webley's?

[laverdabru]

I taught my son & daughter how to shoot/ gun safety with one.Were they made by Diana and re badged as webley's?

I think they were made by Milbro (Milliard Brothers). After WW2 they took over much of the machinery from Diana as war reparations, moving it to Scotland & the Junior/Jaguar is based on the Diana 22. So you have German Dianas & British Dianas - caused confusion ever since, as Mr Thrale says in his excellent book.


ATB

Bru

[steve medlock]

I did get the Webley Falcon for my 12th birthday.

Needless to say, I still have it and do shoot it from time to time.

Steve.

[AllanM]

It's thought that the predecessor Junior had batch, rather than serial numbers, if I understand correctly.

Bru

I've been looking around for a Junior to compliment my Jaguar and have seen what looks to be a very nice one for sale (unfortunately on Gun Trader) with the batch number 653 -- does anyone have an idea of the date of manufacture please?

[Binners]

I've been looking around for a Junior to compliment my Jaguar and have seen what looks to be a very nice one for sale (unfortunately on Gun Trader) with the batch number 653 -- does anyone have an idea of the date of manufacture please?

They do turn up at our KP Armsfair Allan.

[laverdabru]

I've been looking around for a Junior to compliment my Jaguar and have seen what looks to be a very nice one for sale (unfortunately on Gun Trader) with the batch number 653 -- does anyone have an idea of the date of manufacture please?

The one on Gun Trader (£125? Really?) looks to have the earlier. more square ended forestock - if you look at the excellent pics above you can see a difference.
FWIW, mine, which I think is mid '50's, has the rounded, later one, & a batch no of 685.
Some early ones apparently did not have a batch number...Others mentioned in Thrale are 181, 310, 507, 519 & 532. The 181 example dated from Aug 1958.
So unless someone can come up with detailed Milbro factory records they are difficult to date, apart from earlier ones having a squarer foreend.

HTH

Bru

[AllanM]

laverdabru - I saw that one, which to me looked a bit rough, at an expensive £125 with a serial/batch number 623. The one I was thinking of buying is £160 but looks to be in exceptionally nice condition from a private seller called Stephen in Sutton Coldfield.
I emailed him to check it had a rifled barrel and also asked for the serial/batch number which he told me was 653. I also asked if he was a member of BBS or AGF -- he isn't which, I have to admit, makes me cautious.

Binners - I know Peter, I know, but Kempton is just too far to travel these days otherwise I would be there (especially if the above Junior was for sale) even though my wallet would probably take a battering!

[laverdabru]

Allan,

Just keep looking, sure one will turn up at a reasonable price. I know I'm out of touch with prices, but £125/160 seems salty to me.
Maybe put out a wanted ad on forums?

ATB

Bru

[AllanM]

Since seeing the original posting I've developed a real fondness for the Webley Junior/Jaguar rifles and have just picked up another Jaguar that was for sale locally in very nice condition for £75.
The Junior I looked at on Gun Trader is still available and some additional photos have been posted today.
It does appear to be in remarkably good condition although the new photos suggest to me that it has been restored (albeit very nicely) but at £160 plus £30 postage it would be an expensive buy.