Not sure what to do with it ? Webley mk2 service

B

bombar

New member
Joined
Oct 9, 2024
Messages
3
Reaction score
17
Location
Wimborne minister
Hi, I have recently been given a Webley Mk2 service rifle
It is in very poor condition but it is complete and does fire, I do know that it is very old and is possibly collectable.
I don't really know much about the sport but it is a shame that this item is in the condition it is in.
I'm after some advise, as with what to do with it, either to get it back up to scratch (which I would have to employ someone to do) or pass on as is.
Any advise would be gratefully received.
17287484684885305648793715168692.webp
17287485150395131535792216077952.webp
17287485443147008760504851586780.webp
 

Attachments

  • 1728748619941971566671319295504.webp
    1728748619941971566671319295504.webp
    170.5 KB · Views: 25
That's a great rifle to be given 😯

As mentioned above, 0000 grade wire wool and some oil carefully rubbed over will freshen it up and make it more presentable.
Would be interesting to put it over a chrono to get an idea of the condition of the spring and seals.
 
Very collectible. VERY worth sympathetically restoring. A gentle rub over to start with, as suggested …baby steps! Put up some pictures and update us (or ask for advice?- plenty of Webley fans on here)
Historically an interesting, lovely old rifle to become the custodian of 👍
 
I would recommend passing it to someone who knows what they're doing with restoration. It has value as is to those who do. If you go too heavy with wire wool and cause too much pitting, it'll be worth less than it is now. I'd leave it in a tank of evaporust over night and give it a go over with brass wool and re-blue. I'd say it's worth about £150 as is, but I've seen worse go for more on the right kind of day at the auctions. It's one of those that has very healthy value if restored well, so it'd be a shame to risk bodging it.
ATB
UJ
 
If you are not into sorting it yourself then get it restored. However, if you don't want to keep it maybe transfer it to the sales section as it is for around £250. In my humble opinion, for what it's worth. What size is the barrel ?
 
bombar said:
Hi, I have recently been given a Webley Mk2 service rifle
It is in very poor condition but it is complete and does fire, I do know that it is very old and is possibly collectable.
I don't really know much about the sport but it is a shame that this item is in the condition it is in.
I'm after some advise, as with what to do with it, either to get it back up to scratch (which I would have to employ someone to do) or pass on as is.
Any advise would be gratefully received.View attachment 585503View attachment 585505View attachment 585507
Click to expand...
As you have already indicated you are new to the sport and possibly don't have the knowledge/ experience to do the refurb your self?
Handing the work to a third party will be expensive ( dependent on what needs doing)
So if this is a rifle that you have no interest in, it might be better to move on to someone else who is more experienced.
However if you want to learn to refurb a rifle do your apprenticeship on a cheaper gun there are plenty of B2's or Meteors around.
Best of luck with whatever you decide.
Cheers.
 
I'd use light oil 3 in 1 or likewise with one of those green plastic pan scrubbers less likely to damage the surviving blueing then sell it to someone who will restore it properly, you'd be surprised at how much it'd make at auction just lightly de rusted & wiped clean.
 
I've seen a nice one in the Sales section for £500 and a dealer locally to me has one for £600. So that's the sort of value once restored and working properly.
 
Worth mentioning, if you can get hold of the other two barrels (serial matched) that they usually came with, the value increases dramatically
 
Taking a closer look at the close up, I suspect that it's been rubbed down already, which explains the denser pattern of surface rust at the high spots.
 
Doesn’t look too bad despite the rust. As others have mentioned plenty of oil & 0000 wire wool. Another option is to boil the part for 5-10 mins if there’s any convertible rust it should be transformed into additional bluing, card off the remaining hardened lumps with wire wool or brass brush.

Good luck👍🏻
 
JMHO : it's quite likely that any paid for third party restoration won't improve the items value enough to cover the cost of any work carried out unless it's very sympathetically done, and even then, the finished result might not appeal to many collectors "because it's in part "non original". In addition, carrying out any work yourself without a sound knowledge background could leave you in a position of having done a large amount of work and not earning anything (experience excepted) by doing so. If I was in your position with no real interest in keeping and looking after the gun I'd recommend doing nothing but wiping/rubbing the item over with a well oiled close woven strong Linen cloth (or as suitable) and leave all other efforts to the new owner of the gun. Also, for the "first oiling session" I'd suggest wiping oil onto it on a daily basis for two weeks, and changing it's resting position every day post oiling. Hopefully by doing so you'd have a chance of reaching the widest audience possible by offering an item damaged mainly by nature, and "not too much by man". Once that period has passed I'd recommend careful storage and monthly inspection/treatment as required.

Lastly, to recap, I'd suggest a minimum of work whilst in your hands with as many options as regards a work programme left to the new owner.

HTH, Og
 
Last edited:
My old BSA was in a bad way before I had a go cleaning it up.

4ndy

Thread 'New Gun Day yesterday'

AN EARLY .22 UNDERLEVER AIR RIFLE FOR RESTORATION - COLLECTION ONLY - NO POSTAGE.

That was the description of the rifle that I picked up at the local auction yesterday, I put in a lucky bid about a week ago without looking at at first.
When I collected it the chap said he thought it wasn't good enough to hold back for their 'Guns at Noon' auction in September, I wonder why!

It actually turned out to be a 1920 Light Pattern

Screenshot 2022-08-11 at 23.30.02.webp
Screenshot 2022-08-11 at 23.29.45.webp
Screenshot 2022-08-11 at 23.29.15.webp
  • Like
  • Love
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top