One for those of you who can remember

[secretagentmole 1,701]

I keep seeing this name bandied about on here and thought those of you who say "I wish I had one of those!". An FWB MK1 .177 is up for sale of pigeonwatch, so have a link...

 

FWB Sale link

[pianoman 3,587]

AAAWWW!! Fantastic rifle moley!! The Feinwerkbau Sport was a rifle from the late 1970s. From an era before the advent of Pre-Charged Pneumatic actions. It was a beautifully made, Uber accurate .22 rifle for the time and helped keep Germany at the top of the world's foremost air rifle producers. It was right-hand only as I remember but the stock was no problem for a lefty like me. It was a fair old handful of Beech but it fitted like a bespoke custom-made rifle. It must have cost Feinwerkbau a fortune to produce a commercial sporting air rifle with the level of quality this one had. But look how good this one looks after what must be at least 33 years since it was brand new.

 

It had superb open sights and you could hit anything with it right out the box. It was the first to-the-limit, full power air rifle I ever had and it was an absolute creme de la creme quality spring rifle that was built to outlast and outclass it's competitors. But our home-grown Webley rifles were re-emerging with similar qualities of build and performance, but, the Germans were just that bit further ahead in quality for price. It was a great time to be into air rifle shooting. I also bought my first Weihrauch, an HW35E Export .22 which was an amazing spring rifle with an incredible long barrel.

 

It was hefty but wasn't too pellet fussy as I remember, so long as you used a German pellet like H&N or RWS. Wasn't bad on Eley Wasps though. I think there was a pellet called "Field Match" or something like it by H&N mine absolutely loved (forerunner of Field & Target Trophy I think). I bought my FWB Sport by mail order from Uttings in 1978 and it arrived at RAF Catterick where I was stationed at the time. I was the sole air rifle shooter on the whole camp and got the rabbit and pidgeon permission from the Station Commander. It went with me wherever I was stationed in the UK and I bagged thousands of Rabbits on the airfields which were viewed as an aircraft hazzard. I had a Tasco 3-9X50 wide angle "TV lens" scope for it but, I rarely used it, the open sights were so good and accurately harmonized. I also had traded the HW35E for one of the first Weihrauch HW80s' when that rifle came on the scene and these three early German classic air rifles made an air rifle hunter out of me as no other gun ever did.

 

I cannot think why Feinwerkbau never continued making sporting air rifles for hunting, when they made one as good as this. They certainly were not cheap but, perhaps sales were dissapointing? I don't know. If I had a spare 300 or more quid to drop on, I'd snap this up in a flash. The way pellets are made nowadays, this will be a blisteringly accurate hunter still.

 

Simon

Edited May 16, 2011 by pianoman

[craig33 10]

i come across these quite a bit in mint nick for a lot less than 300 dink

the next time i get offerd one ill post on here if anyone wants one to add to a collection let me know

[andyfr1968 772]

I had the FWB 124 Sport when I was about sixteen and I also chopped it in for one of the first HW80s.

 

I think overall the was the better rifle but the 124 just felt nicer in the hands somehow... It was one of the best handling springers I think I've ever used.

 

When I'm a little less skint I'd love to own another one, I do like my old German shonkers!!!

[jasper65 6]

Beleive this or not a pal brought one of these a couple of years back from the Kings Lynn Gun Auction in .177.

 

It was in total pristine condition and still with its Polystyrene box! think he either sold it on Pigeon watch or BBS for a decent profit.

 

always loved the guns back in the 70's and 's but never owned one, I went through the S model Mercury and Airsporters and a old MK1 Webley Vulcan but never owned a German rifle back then....

 

Jasper

[pianoman 3,587]

I'd say the FWB Sport and early HW80 were about the same for accuracy. The Feinwerkbau Sport was around 10.5ft/lbs output which was a norm for a top quality spring air rifle back then. Along with the Original 45 break barrel, these three German rifles had a really purposeful yet elegant look and quality that a lot of young shooters like me were taken with, big style. (Whatever happened to Original?).

 

The HW80 traded on being a powerhouse air rifle that appealed to the market because it was the first commercially-made air rifle to actually make it to 11+ ft/lbs output consistently. Thus we all thought it was an almighty rifle with accuracy to match; even though., in truth, it was only a slightly more powerful rifle. It put Weihrauch right at the top of German makers in Britain. They certainly made a lifelong German rifle affecianado out of me. If I had to keep only just one of my rifles now, it would be my Weihrauch HW77.

 

I did have a strong patriotic streak and always looked to what BSA and Webley were making at the time. BSA were somehow, not as attractive or as well made as Webley rifles to my eyes. Maybe it was too many BSAs at fairgrounds, but, Webley took greater care with their guns details like a beautifully rich, deep bluing and white spacers in the butt and grip caps. The BSA Mercury and the Airsporter series were superb hunters. Then came the Goldstar underlever and that was a beautiful rifle that ticked the boxes but It still persists with me to this day. I don't know why. But for a Meteor I had for plinking briefly as a youngster, I never went for a BSA spring hunting rifle.

 

Long Live WEIHRAUCH.

 

Simon

[gurtwurz 792]

well apart from the mighty pro sport i'd agree with that simon lol...

 

speaking of original 45's, guess who's getting a slightly tarnished but perfectly accurate example for free in a couple of weeks? i designed a ring for my mate to buy for his fiance-to-be and he's kindly donated to my elderly springer collection

 

cheers, wurz

[pianoman 3,587]

Yes Wurz mate I'll give you that, I do have a soft spot for the Pro Sport in a big way. For years I pined for one but, Air Arms would not make make it in a dedicated left-hand version. So I went for the TX200 instead, which is a bloody fine rifle by ant standard. My TX200HC is the best .177 rifle I've ever known. But, I've seen the accuracy-brilliance of the HW77 .22 for too long and that's now the apple of my eye.

 

I'm seriously thinking of selling my .22 TX200 and HW80K .22 to fund the purchase of a lefty Pro Sport though. With that rifle joining what I have in my armoury I would have all the brilliance of spring gun art and accuracy I could possibly wish to shoot with!

 

I really don't see me going Pre charged now John. I can honestly match any one of those so, what would be the point?!.

 

Hope the Pro Sport you have is living up to her promise John!

 

Simon

[pianoman 3,587]

Hang on here!!! Did I just see you are being given an Original 45???

 

 

 

 

You jammy beggar!!!

[jasper65 6]

BSA were somehow, not as attractive or as well made as Webley rifles to my eyes. Maybe it was too many BSAs at fairgrounds, but, Webley took greater care with their guns details like a beautifully rich, deep bluing and white spacers in the butt and grip caps. The BSA Mercury and the Airsporter series were superb hunters. Then came the Goldstar underlever and that was a beautiful rifle that ticked the boxes but It still persists with me to this day. I don't know why. But for a Meteor I had for plinking briefly as a youngster, I never went for a BSA spring hunting rifle.

 

Long Live WEIHRAUCH.

 

Simon

 

Good posts Simon ! But I Can't say I agree about the BSA Rifles. I still have two old BSA's here! a old Cadet and Cadet Major going back to the 1950's that shoot a dream, a pal also has my old BSA Mercury S which mechanicly is still sound and shoots like a gun out of the box, all guns have beleive me been put through their paces in the past.

 

The Webley Break barrels on the other with the one peice cocking levers seemed to always develop play after some serious use, A old Webley Vulcan MK1 and a MK11 I have here all did the same aswel as a even older Webley Hawk MK11. I can pick the webley up and break the gun end feel a good 1/2 inch play when I lift the barrel which I presume is the hinge pin .

 

four guns here in the pictures! two were webleys which had the same problems with the cocking lever, one of which my lad is holding and one of me when I was a lad with a webley Hawk. the Mercury S and Cadets on the other hand still sing like it came out of the box apart from obviously the normal spot rust here and there .

 

cheers Jasp

[pianoman 3,587]

There must be some precious memories locked in those BSA and Webley rifles you've owned Jasp. I don't know what it is with BSA and me. There was never anything technically wrong with BSA rifles, I remember; nor was there ever an issue with their accuracy. I had a family friend who shot with an Airsporter .22 at the time I had my FWB Sport, 1978-84 and he absolutely swore by it as a reliable, accurate rifle. He sure bagged enough rabbits and woodpidgeon with it. He had it still when I had switched to an HW80 as my main hunting gun and my FWB Sport was eventually sold on.

 

Half an inch of play on a cocking lever/hinge pin is amazing! I never had an issue like that with the Webleys I've owned and they were shot pretty well hard for some goodly numbers of years, other than a better replacement piston washer and a guide for the Osprey. The fitted ones at new were faulty I remember and a replacement spring for the Omega I had. Other than this issue, it seemed like normal parts wear and replacement that gave no further troubles. It's a bit like Ford and Vauxhall cars. Both are great, some are better than others and both have stalwart owners who swear by them, and others at them!

 

But, I don't know, I just can't quite put my finger on it but, BSA rifles just didn't do it for me and my tastes/preferences to add one or two to my shooting. The Goldstar was always a lovely looking rifle though, I do remember. And I still didn't buy one!

 

All the best.

Simon

Edited May 18, 2011 by pianoman

[gurtwurz 792]

hi simon, as to buying a pro sport, all i can say is GO AND DO IT!!! i love it, and after a week its had a half dozen rabbits at ranges from 25 out to 40m, it feels great to shoot from prone kneeling and sitting and isnt hold sensitive either, its the best springer i've ever shot and to be honest, i'm as accurate with it as i am with the hw100 so it's getting played with over the other airguns(mind you it hasnt rained too heavily yet, in which case it'll be the ''s turn. maybe...)i've got.

 

i really cannot fault it at all, although the noodle armed shooter may find it a bit on the heavy side, in which case there is a simple solution-

 

grow stronger...

 

i cant say i was impressed with the TX though, i didnt like the ratchet underlever or the safety button on the side. not much of a niggle admittedly, but enough to make me take on the pro sport instead.

 

jasp, those are some lovely looking old beeza's there mate, the mercury looks like it IS straight out of the box mate, what a cracker.

mind you, the 1939 BSA 't'series .22 i've got is still a pretty accurate ol' beast, just not in my hands beyond 15-20m!!

 

cheers, wurz

[jasper65 6]

There must be some precious memories locked in those BSA and Webley rifles you've owned Jasp. I don't know what it is with BSA and me. There was never anything technically wrong with BSA rifles, I remember; nor was there ever an issue with their accuracy. I had a family friend who shot with an Airsporter .22 at the time I had my FWB Sport, 1978-84 and he absolutely swore by it as a reliable, accurate rifle. He sure bagged enough rabbits and woodpidgeon with it. He had it still when I had switched to an HW80 as my main hunting gun and my FWB Sport was eventually sold on.

 

Half an inch of play on a cocking lever/hinge pin is amazing! I never had an issue like that with the Webleys I've owned and they were shot pretty well hard for some goodly numbers of years, other than a better replacement piston washer and a guide for the Osprey. The fitted ones at new were faulty I remember and a replacement spring for the Omega I had. Other than this issue, it seemed like normal parts wear and replacement that gave no further troubles. It's a bit like Ford and Vauxhall cars. Both are great, some are better than others and both have stalwart owners who swear by them, and others at them!

 

But, I don't know, I just can't quite put my finger on it but, BSA rifles just didn't do it for me and my tastes/preferences to add one or two to my shooting. The Goldstar was always a lovely looking rifle though, I do remember. And I still didn't buy one!

 

All the best.

Simon

 

I get the feeling thats its not the Hinge pin itself thats worn but the cocking lever itself Simon. it always seemed to happen where the lever pins under the barrel, I just picked the Vulcan up now and the cocking lever has a fair amount of play due to wear and tear which is a shame. I can't remember now exactly when it was but I brought a Webley Vulcan .177 Barrel around 1979 - 1980 for a tad over £15 brand new back then , I also picked up a new cocking lever and the gun was solid until a good few thousand pellets and the play returned.

 

the older Webley Hawk MK11 was a joy as the barrel unscrewed and nipped down with a grub screw, it was simple barrel change over in minutes .

 

If I had one gripe about the old BSA Guns it would be with the Airsporter S tap lever? over a period of time they would start to leak and also a bugger to load on a totaly freezing cold day when I had to drop a .177 pellet perfect head first into the tap, I always had a match stick to sometimes give it a prod to seat the pellet. all in all though the BSA S models of old came out of the box virtually bang on the limit with some nice sleak lines compared to some other guns like the old HW80's that had a front like a keel of a boat .

 

later I looked over one of the last Airsporters called the RB2 and was pretty disapointed! the cocking lever lock button was plastic and to be honest the pressed stock chequeing was terrible, also why they started fitting plastic triggers and the like is beyond me..

 

atb Jasp

[jasper65 6]

jasp, those are some lovely looking old beeza's there mate, the mercury looks like it IS straight out of the box mate, what a cracker.

mind you, the 1939 BSA 't'series .22 i've got is still a pretty accurate ol' beast, just not in my hands beyond 15-20m!!

 

cheers, wurz

 

nice one Wurz

 

that old Mercury S if you look has a white spacer fitted inbetween the recoil pad, they never came like this but when I was a lad I liked to play , I wipped off the recoil pad to use as a template and used a plastic lid off a icecream tub, I then shaped it and screwed it all back on.

 

the gun had also had the piston head removed and PTFE type fitted from a Guy called "Terry Robb", he sent me the washer through the post so I went about stripping in and unscrewing the back block until the new piston head was fitted, must say it was smoother and a joy to shoot .

 

I also fitted a PTFE washer In a pals BSA Lightning in the 90's and it transformed it.

 

atb Jasp

[Malt 379]

Some seriously good, nostalgic posts here guys! The first air rifle I ever shot was my dad's old BSA Mercury. At the same time, my pal was given a Webley Osprey, I think it had a side lever?

 

Then my dad got his HW35e and it blew them both away!