HW 55: a history in triggers

[MDriskill]

Recently traded some information with a forum pal about older HW 55 trigger details, and thought the resulting pics might be of interest.

This is the oldest 55 I have (1952?). Among many other differences from newer examples, note the threaded-on rear block which is much shorter than on more modern HW's (arrow shows the joint), and the heavy cast trigger guard.  The stamped trigger blade is straight from the 55's parent, the original HW 50 sporter; a 2-stage pull with a simple sear-engagement adjustment screw on the rear face of the receiver.


This is one of the rare double-set triggers (1952-3?). The DST has nothing in common with the standard unit. It's a self-contained unit attached to the stock only, with a "flying" hammer on top that strikes a modified sear lever protruding below the action, and a unique trigger guard. Other DST's were built around the later long-block actions, and are different in detail.


Next evolution of the short-block trigger (1953?), a solid milled steel blade with a pull-adjustment screw behind. The internal design has intermediate levers giving a very nice pull.


In the mid-1950's, Weihrauch re-designed their basic architecture for a longer trigger block (arrow at joint - 1954?). This affected all their rifles (which at the time was only three models, the HW 35, 50, and 55); and was so significant that they re-started their serial numbers! This steel trigger operates similarly to the final short-block one though.


The long block eventually received the famous Rekord trigger, contained in a removable module. Note that this very early one (1955) retains the old trigger guard, and has a very thin blade and blued adjuster screw. The receiver for this interesting example is actually milled to accept both the Rekord and the previous-style trigger.


This gun (1956) has an evolved Rekord sporting a stouter blade, the modern checkered trigger guard, and an alloy adjuster screw.


This rifle (1970) has yet another blade variation, and the locking sleeve around the adjuster screw, familiar on most HW 55's. The sleeve required a minor modification to the top of the trigger guard casting too.


One final note, all of HW's early rifles use the same sequence of serial numbers. in other words, by 1970 they had manufactured 350,000 guns, but not that many HW 55's.

[45flint]

Great detail, I ‘ve always have the desire for the double trigger but whenever one comes up, there is always someone willing to outbid me by a mile!

[xcalibur]

Fantastic post!