GTA
All Springer/NP/PCP Air Gun Discussion General => Vintage Air Gun Gate => Topic started by: MDriskill on July 31, 2017, 07:14:22 AM
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GENTS--ANOTHER OLD POST, STILL TRYING TO RECOVER FROM THE PHOTOBUCKET DEBACLE. THESE ARE HOSTED ON "POSTIMAGE," NOT SURE WHAT'S UP WITH THE ONES THAT DON'T SHOW UP... :(
This fairly recent addition to the fold has ticked a couple of long-standing boxes--an early Webley Mk 3 with the initial style "monk's cowl" stock, and with the gorgeous factory-option Parker-Hale aperture sight.
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The serial is in the 16xxx range and best as I can tell from Chris Thrale's superb recent tome on Webley rifles, it dates from about 1954, thus it represents fairly early production after the first-series two-stage trigger was discontinued. The rifle is in really excellent condition, and shows off Webley's high finish standards of the time. I was also very pleased to find it had been gone through by a first-rate tuner! It shoots every bit as nice as it looks.
The different feel from the later more rounded stock (introduced around 1958) is very noticeable. The later stock (top rifle in photo below) balances and handles very well in its own right, but the older rifle feels more slender and compact, easier to carry and with a more front-heavy balance.
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I've certainly seen fancier walnut on Mk 3's, but that's not to say this one is anything to be ashamed of!
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The action has several interesting details: 1. artfully shaped, comfortable trigger blade:
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2. beautifully done stamped markings:
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3. interesting "notch" in the cocking link to clear the cocking lever:
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4. fine ribbing on the end of the cocking lever to improve grip:
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5. knurling at the rear of the receiver, which is actually a separate removable piece on this older rifle (a legacy from the different trigger on the first series Mk 3's):
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This Mk 3 does not appear to have ever had the typical open rear sight mounted in the provided dovetail, so the peep sight has likely been there since it left the factory.
The PH 16M sight is one of my favorite airgun accessories ever, a really superbly-designed sporting sight. The mechanism is small and sturdy, and well away from the line of sight, for an unobstructed view of the target--a superb detail. Note how both windage and elevation scales are easily visible from behind. The arm carrying the eye disk can swing out back of the way, allowing use of an open sight zeroed at a different distance.
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Parker-Hale made all types of sights, and a bewildering variety of eyepieces for them! The Mk 3's PH 16M usually came with this tiny eyepiece which gives an unobtrusive "ghost ring" sight picture; but all manner of different styles were available, including some with adjustable-size apertures built in.
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This PH 59 "Midget" eyepiece has an internal rotating ring with 6 different diameter apertures. It is 3/4" in diameter to conform to certain UK shooting rules.
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This PH 60 sight works similarly to the Midget, but has a separate eyeshade and can take colored filter lenses.
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The PH "Iris" aperture is a continuously-variable aperture opening of overlapping thin steel blades, similar to later German sights. The separate PH 62 eyeshade is beautifully made of blued steel with a matte phosphate finish on the rear face, and will also fit other Parker-Hale eyepieces, including the PH 60.
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The Mk 3 has long been one of my favorites, and I like this one a lot!
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Beautiful old Webley for sure !!!
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Awesome the detail on the peep sight was great. I saw one of these at my first airgun show in Columbus Ohio this year. Was very impressed. If it had that sight I couldn't have resisted. I've fallen in love with aperture sights. They still work great with my 66 year old cataract new lens eye. Scopes leave me cold now.
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What fps do you get with these?
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What fps do you get with these?
Steve, I've had several Mk 3's over the years. The majority you will find are in .22, and be advised those are made to the old British "No. 2 Bore" standard, a true 0.22 inch, or about 5.6 mm, slightly bigger than most modern pellets which are made to metric 5.5 mm size. The best ammo in those is usually the old "blue tin" 5.6 mm Eley Wasp. Mk 3's in .177 are more tolerant of modern pellets, though.
The velocities are all averages of 15-shot strings.
Serial 192xx, an old .22 that I've used various springs in: 537 fps with Wasps. Got 553 fps with Hobbys but they dieseled like crazy due to loose fit.
Serial A76XX, a .177: 720 fps with Superdomes, 774 with Hobbys. Very newish condition, probably dieseling a bit.
Serial B59xx, a .22: 453 fps Wasps, 509 fps Superdomes, 587 fps Hobbys.
Serial F4XX, a .177: 590 fps Superdomes, 620 fps Hobbys.
Serial A25xx, the .177 Supertarget I posted earlier: 646 fps Hobbys, 630 fps Lapua Marksman, 622 fps Eley Wasp.
I've never chrono'd the .22 in my post here but it's quite strong and smooth, apparently had a good tune as I mentioned!
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What fps do you get with these?
Steve, I've had several Mk 3's over the years. The majority you will find are in .22, and be advised those are made to the old British "No. 2 Bore" standard, a true 0.22 inch, or about 5.6 mm, slightly bigger than most modern pellets which are made to metric 5.5 mm size. The best ammo in those is usually the old "blue tin" 5.6 mm Eley Wasp. Mk 3's in .177 are more tolerant of modern pellets, though.
The velocities are all averages of 15-shot strings.
Serial 192xx, an old .22 that I've used various springs in: 537 fps with Wasps. Got 553 fps with Hobbys but they dieseled like crazy due to loose fit.
Serial A76XX, a .177: 720 fps with Superdomes, 774 with Hobbys. Very newish condition, probably dieseling a bit.
Serial B59xx, a .22: 453 fps Wasps, 509 fps Superdomes, 587 fps Hobbys.
Serial F4XX, a .177: 590 fps Superdomes, 620 fps Hobbys.
Serial A25xx, the .177 Supertarget I posted earlier: 646 fps Hobbys, 630 fps Lapua Marksman, 622 fps Eley Wasp.
I've never chrono'd the .22 in my post here but it's quite strong and smooth, apparently had a good tune as I mentioned!
I have old Haenel 28-R in 22 and I believe these guns are bored to a little larger than a modern 22. Been a bear to find a pellet that is tight and cycles as well, must be short. One old English brand works but have to find them unused on EBay.