I know some of you guys appreciate the older high quality airguns. I hesitated buying these because of the price and hobby money being a tad bit tight. I'm glad I did. Many older AGs only come along this clean every once in a while.

I've wanted a Diana Model 65 or Winchester 333, (same rifle) for a few years. Read too many outstanding reviews on these. Same on the Webley MK3 tap loader in .22. Knobs and Mike Driskill mentioned both these models a few times and got my interest going.

When you feel these rifles in your hands and realize the fact that everything is machined from billet steel, hand fitted parts, dark blued like black chrome (especially the Webley), hand checkered walnut stocks, you have to ask yourself, "why didn't these companies continue these fine weapons?". Bottom line, they cost too much to produce.

Some pre clean up photos. The 333 is going to visit Randy Bimrose this week. This Webley MK3 was manufactured the year I was born. Cocks and shoots like a new rifle, it has never been worked on. Not bad for 60 years old.

1969-1975 WINCHESTER 333 (DIANA MODEL 65) break barrel, pre Diana 75.


Winchester 333 (Diana 65) hand checkering in walnut


Winchester stock before clean up and new butt pad. You can see by the butt pad that the rifle sat vertical for many years in a gun safe.


Diana 65 Giss recoilless action. Pre Diana 75 side cocker match rifle.


Diana 65 bull barrel


Diana 65 trigger assy.


Winchester logo on special ordered Diana 65 models made and imported between 1969-1975.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

1949 WEBLEY MK3 .22 under cocker


MK3 tap loader. Excellent precision machine work.


Classic Webley deep dark bluing. Factory stamping highlights. Keith, I know, clean up the number 3. LOL


Webley upgrade factory sight


1949 Webley MK3 .22 profile
---------------------------------------------------------------------

Fine old rifles.

JB
Airguns, a great hobby that most people don't understand!

Particularly that Webley. Do like the rear sight. These remind me of Martinis. Bet you have one of those, as well (rimfire).

I agree 100% with your comment that such actions would be prohibitively expensive to produce these days.
Made when machinists also knew how to hold and use a file accurately.
Tap loaders needed more accurate machining and hand finishing to get them to seal well.
Enjoy them and all the best.

pices of art for those that know about vintage air rifles

rare to find and even more difficult in those pristine conditions

warren



and remember "it's 30% the gun and 70% the shooter"