Bloke Posted January 11, 2012 Report Share Posted January 11, 2012 My 70-year old brother found his old air rifle in the loft after 25 years and has asked me if I know how to get it shooting again, he just wants to do a bit of plinking for old times' sake. It is an "Original" underlever, with a rotating breech in .22. The spring seems good and tight, everything seemed ok, but when shot - no pellet. I assume that after all these years either: i) the seals etc have perished, ii) there is some obstruction in the barrel (apart from the one pellet he put in ) and iii) obviously there could be a bit of corrosion etc in the barrel. Now I know ****er all about air rifles , but I should be able to strip it fairly well, BUT - ANY information, warnings, manuals, advice, resources for parts etc, etc would be really appreciated. It looks like it was a good quality gun for its time (about 1958 - 1962) -quite a sophisticated sight array for an old air rifle, we think it is a Model 50, I will hopefully have some pics in the next couple of weeks. I found one that looks the same for sale at £350 - about the same age, so worth doing maybe. Any help, advice, laughter/ sarcasm greatly appreciated, cheers... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PLH1966 Posted January 11, 2012 Report Share Posted January 11, 2012 (edited) I had an Original 50 a few years ago, sounds like the same gun, bit low on power - mine ran at about 10.5ft lbs after a tune up - but deadly accurate over 30 yds. Good guns, years ahead of there time. Edited January 12, 2012 by PLH1966 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tosspot Posted January 11, 2012 Report Share Posted January 11, 2012 If indeed an Original Mod 50 (which it sounds very much like it is) never going to set the world alight on the power front as i think these ran at around 10 ft/lb if in fine fettle, quite a desirable collectable these days although £350 a tad optomistic, saying that does it have dioptre / peep sights? If so it could be the "M" model and be a bit rarer. For parts and exploded diagrams Chambers and Knibbs are a good place to start (if a little pricey) Photos would be nice I think there should be a month and year stamp toward the rear of the cylinder on the side, possibly under the woodwork. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruno22rf Posted January 11, 2012 Report Share Posted January 11, 2012 They made 2 models from memory-yours sounds like the T01.Fantastic looking full stocked gun that was the flagship of the Original range-unfortunately they dont perform anywhere near as good as they look-power or accuracy are moderate at best.Shame really cos it had a great pedigree-the 45 was far superior and,in my opinion,one of the best sporting Airguns ever made. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tosspot Posted January 12, 2012 Report Share Posted January 12, 2012 They made 2 models from memory-yours sounds like the T01.Fantastic looking full stocked gun that was the flagship of the Original range-unfortunately they dont perform anywhere near as good as they look-power or accuracy are moderate at best.Shame really cos it had a great pedigree-the 45 was far superior and,in my opinion,one of the best sporting Airguns ever made. What he said, re the 45 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bloke Posted January 12, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 12, 2012 (edited) If indeed an Original Mod 50 (which it sounds very much like it is) never going to set the world alight on the power front as i think these ran at around 10 ft/lb if in fine fettle, quite a desirable collectable these days although £350 a tad optomistic, saying that does it have dioptre / peep sights? If so it could be the "M" model and be a bit rarer. For parts and exploded diagrams Chambers and Knibbs are a good place to start (if a little pricey) Photos would be nice I think there should be a month and year stamp toward the rear of the cylinder on the side, possibly under the woodwork. The price isn't important - he will never sell it, more to indicate it is worth keeping, rather than binning it. Having looked at it a bit closer. It has the adjustable peep sight, with the original rubber eye cup and interchangeable notches (?) on the rear sight and a rotating interchangeable post thingy on the front tunnel sight. There are two sight mounting areas - one just at the rear, immediately in front of the cap, and a second one just behind the tap. The underlever is stamped rather than forged and it is marked "Original MOD.50" on the top, with a small MADE IN GERMANY along the side just over the woodwork, can't see any other markings at the moment, they must be under the woodwork. It has a ribbed twin-screw trigger - looks like Aluminium. It is generally a bit tatty, but still in good nick for an air rifle bought by a 17-18 year old over 50 years ago, which has then bounced around in attics as we moved with the RAF, then battered a little by his baby bro (me) until it was taken off me by Dad and that has lain almost completely untouched for the last 25+ years on a sheet of cardboard in the attic! It doesn't quite fit with any of the pics I have found on the net (mainly slight differences in the stock chequering), but he insists he bought it brand new and has never changed anything. Trouble is, some of the screws are the type with a post threaded through the centre, so require a turnbuckle/screwdriver with a notch in the blade - anyone know where I can get one, or do I have to get the Dremel out and grind a notch in a new screwdriver, I don't want to make more scratches, when he took it apart 30 years ago he scratched around the screws quite enough ! It is still an interesting gun though. I gather they were used for mainly 10 metre match shooting in their day, should be fun if I can get it going again..... Edited January 12, 2012 by Bloke Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hyflier Posted January 12, 2012 Report Share Posted January 12, 2012 (edited) http://www.gunspares.co.uk/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=24393&cat=50 Check this plan out and be extremely careful when taking this air rifle apart, there is an odd but hugely advanced piston steady mechanism at the back of the internals which houses 3 ball bearings, there is also a small spring with a plunger (DP202 on the plan) which may flip off down your workshop never to be found again. Then of course is the mainspring, without a spring compressor really you shouldn't attempt to open this air rifle, not only will the compressor do the obvious but it will allow you to control the speed of the other components exiting the cylinder. The mainwasher is leather and it has probably dried out or perished, it may be re-juvenated with some Marrs leather oil but you can still get 'em if you need to replace it. Edited January 12, 2012 by hyflier Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bloke Posted January 12, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 12, 2012 http://www.gunspares.co.uk/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=24393&cat=50 Check this plan out and be extremely careful when taking this air rifle apart, there is an odd but hugely advanced piston steady mechanism at the back of the internals which houses 3 ball bearings, there is also a small spring with a plunger (DP202 on the plan) which may flip off down your workshop never to be found again. Then of course is the mainspring, without a spring compressor really you shouldn't attempt to open this air rifle, not only will the compressor do the obvious but it will allow you to control the speed of the other components exiting the cylinder. The mainwasher is leather and it has probably dried out or perished, it may be re-juvenated with some Marrs leather oil but you can still get 'em if you need to replace it. Cheers for that, sounds like a trip to the shop for a replacement seal set anyway, then find an expert to do the work Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PLH1966 Posted January 12, 2012 Report Share Posted January 12, 2012 Cheers for that, sounds like a trip to the shop for a replacement seal set anyway, then find an expert to do the work I had mine apart & first time saw ball bearings flying all over the workshop! i replaced the leather washer with a synthetic one from chambers, along with a new spring. Couldn't fault it's accuracy & the trigger was a delight, but she was a big old beast! To be honest I regret letting it go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bloke Posted January 12, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 12, 2012 Rang the local gun shop - he quoted me about £40 for complete strip down, (+parts at cost) clear the barrel, tidy up and rebuild, sounds good to me! going to see if I can get it there next month... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hyflier Posted January 12, 2012 Report Share Posted January 12, 2012 Excellent decision Bloke, £40 is a good price too. I've had a few of these to fix and they can be a challenge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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