FalconFN Posted December 25, 2013 Report Share Posted December 25, 2013 I bought an old and very battered BSA Airsporter a while ago with the intention of giving it a full refurbishment, but work and life got in the way so I've only just finished it, well almost finished it. It is a MK1 version without scope rails and the serial number dated it to between 1956-58. It was in very poor condition with a grimy, dented and water stained stock, and an action that was rusty and pitted with no bluing visible and no paint on the trigger block. After stripping, repairing, filling and oiling the stock it turned out to be quite a nice piece of walnut, but the action was so bad, particularly the cylinder, that it took ages to get it back to smooth metal. There are still some deeper pits that couldn't be removed but on the whole it is now pretty smooth. I re-blued it with Klever browning which is very quick and simple and gives a good deep black/brown colour - seems pretty hard wearing too. I also resprayed the trigger block and then baked it on so hopefully it should be more wear resistant. Just need a new front stock bolt and it's done. I was impressed by the build quality of this old-timer and as it only needed TLC I haven't replaced any of the original parts (front stock screw being the exception), hopefully it will keep going for years to come. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hedd-wyn Posted December 25, 2013 Report Share Posted December 25, 2013 Top darts mate and a jobe well done. Nothing more satifying than an air rifle refurb. Just finished an old BSA Meteor for my nephew and really enjoyed working on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FalconFN Posted December 25, 2013 Author Report Share Posted December 25, 2013 A couple more pix. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FalconFN Posted December 25, 2013 Author Report Share Posted December 25, 2013 Top darts mate and a jobe well done. Nothing more satifying than an air rifle refurb. Just finished an old BSA Meteor for my nephew and really enjoyed working on it. Cheers, it's great when you've got time but I've had little of that recently. I still have an HW35 in the same condition to do so that'll keep me busy for a bit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisjpainter Posted December 25, 2013 Report Share Posted December 25, 2013 Stunning! good work Falcon. shows what can be done with a bit of skill and dedication! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnbaz Posted December 26, 2013 Report Share Posted December 26, 2013 A grand job there mate Did you go over the finished blue with 0000 grade wire wool as this usually brings up a glossy shine.. Here's a (L to R) Airsporter Stutzen/ HW35/ Airsporter mk1.. You did a great job of the stock Cheers, John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnbaz Posted December 26, 2013 Report Share Posted December 26, 2013 I love old Airsporters John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whitebridges Posted December 26, 2013 Report Share Posted December 26, 2013 You've done a very nice job,well done.Saved a nice gun from the scrap heap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dekers Posted December 26, 2013 Report Share Posted December 26, 2013 That looks pretty good to me! Very sad state to start with...good job! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theshootist Posted December 30, 2013 Report Share Posted December 30, 2013 A fantastic transformation there. How did you get the stock like that? What did you fill the dents with? Would be great to hear more about how you did it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FalconFN Posted December 30, 2013 Author Report Share Posted December 30, 2013 (edited) A fantastic transformation there. How did you get the stock like that? What did you fill the dents with? Would be great to hear more about how you did it. Thanks. After a lot of research - mainly on PW, I started by giving it a good wash with wire wool and white spirit to get the oil and gunk off then steamed out any dents with an iron, filled the holes where studs had been and glued the small crack, I then gave it as light a sanding as I could get away with - I started with 120 grit then 240, 400 and finally 600. I then washed with warm water, dried and lightly sanded again with 600, I did that again before finishing it with several coats of Tru-oil, knocking back with fine wire wool after each coat had dried. After the final coat I lightly rubbed it with wire wool again to dull down the high gloss finish to a nice soft sheen. It's the 4th stock I've done and although many don't like Tru-oil I think it is a very good product that is easy to apply, I may try boiled linseed for the next one but the tests I have done don't seem as good. Just waiting for the stock bolt and I'll probably sell it to help fund a new rifle that I'll use solely for NV - plus I don't have as much storage space as johnbaz must have! I'll start the HW35 in the New Year too. Edited December 30, 2013 by FalconFN Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hedd-wyn Posted December 30, 2013 Report Share Posted December 30, 2013 (edited) A very good finish on the stock, maybe it's worth giving Tru-Oil a go after all. I don't think people realise that preparation is key. Edited December 30, 2013 by hedd-wyn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted December 30, 2013 Report Share Posted December 30, 2013 I bought an old and very battered BSA Airsporter a while ago with the intention of giving it a full refurbishment, but work and life got in the way so I've only just finished it, well almost finished it. It is a MK1 version without scope rails and the serial number dated it to between 1956-58. It was in very poor condition with a grimy, dented and water stained stock, and an action that was rusty and pitted with no bluing visible and no paint on the trigger block. ab3.JPG ab2.JPG After stripping, repairing, filling and oiling the stock it turned out to be quite a nice piece of walnut, but the action was so bad, particularly the cylinder, that it took ages to get it back to smooth metal. There are still some deeper pits that couldn't be removed but on the whole it is now pretty smooth. I re-blued it with Klever browning which is very quick and simple and gives a good deep black/brown colour - seems pretty hard wearing too. I also resprayed the trigger block and then baked it on so hopefully it should be more wear resistant. Just need a new front stock bolt and it's done. ab4.JPG ab5.JPG I was impressed by the build quality of this old-timer and as it only needed TLC I haven't replaced any of the original parts (front stock screw being the exception), hopefully it will keep going for years to come. I am sure I have the stock bolt here in my box of bits, give us a pm if your still looking. Mk1 version has the self opening tap, works when you cock it automatically Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FalconFN Posted December 30, 2013 Author Report Share Posted December 30, 2013 Very kind offer Kent, PM on the way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hudson Posted December 30, 2013 Report Share Posted December 30, 2013 Good god, that is a very nice transformation....... i have been thinking of searching out a BSA Mercury or Airsporter S and doing similar, how ever good or bad they are if you need to refurb them then really you have to go the whole hog and go back to bare metal and strip the stock etc so old or newer i guess it does not really matter. Just got to find one ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teddy boy Posted December 30, 2013 Report Share Posted December 30, 2013 superb job. how did you remove such bad pitting, have a hw35 in similar condition that I need to do but just cannot fathom a method other than a polishing wheel. all the best, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FalconFN Posted December 30, 2013 Author Report Share Posted December 30, 2013 I just cut 1" wide strips of wet and dry paper and sanded like I was shining shoes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnbaz Posted January 1, 2014 Report Share Posted January 1, 2014 A beautiful job mate Cheers, John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muffin Posted January 1, 2014 Report Share Posted January 1, 2014 Thats fantastic if you sell whats it worth Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FalconFN Posted January 1, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 1, 2014 Thats fantastic if you sell whats it worth It's only really worth what someone wants to pay but to get an idea I took it to my local RFD and they said that they would sell it at £175, minus 20% commission of course. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
archiebald Posted January 1, 2014 Report Share Posted January 1, 2014 That looks an awesome transformation well done, one day id love to do a rifle refurb but doubt I could come close to a job as good as that! All the best Tom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zapp Posted January 1, 2014 Report Share Posted January 1, 2014 Excellent job. I love airsporters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Livefast123 Posted January 1, 2014 Report Share Posted January 1, 2014 (edited) Excellent job and another gun saved for the next generation. I did a simular job with an early 60's Webley Falcon. It had a standard beech stock that was damaged and varnished but after a lot of work I think the Try oil has made it look decent. Edited January 1, 2014 by Livefast123 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muffin Posted January 3, 2014 Report Share Posted January 3, 2014 Thats price sounds good for what it is and whats been done Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lakeside1000 Posted January 3, 2014 Report Share Posted January 3, 2014 A good friend of mine has a late 60's .22 airsporter, it has lost its rear sight and needs a tidy up but it still shoots well, I think one of the best air guns for its time, I might try and buy it off him as your project has inspired me , great job , well done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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