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Topic starter
06/12/2017 01:08:02
Weihrauch HW50
This is an introduction I wrote (most of) a while ago to some pics of early Weihrauchs:
The first model produced by HW in 4.5mm calibre after June 1950 when airguns below 6mm were first allowed by the Allied occupiers. They were permitted in smoothbore only due to regulations in operation in Germany on rifled barrels (these were lifted in September 1951).
The mid-sized break barrel HW50 soon became the HW50V.
It is possible that even before it produced air rifles under its own name, or at around the same time, HW was making a version of the HW50 for FW Heym - a famous name in firearms before WW2 and located at Munnerstadt, 20-odd miles south of the HW factory in Mellrichstadt.
By 1953 Weihrauch was also building the HW35 (in 4.5mm and 5.5mm) and the HW55 (4.5mm only) alongside a sporting version of the HW50V, the HW50S. The "first series" of HWs had a seagull symbol stamped into the left side of the breech block and short trigger blocks. The stocks were fixed at the forend with two side screws, later replaced by a single bolt under the forend as now. Some of these first series guns were distributed by Burgsmueller & Sons under the "Burgo" brand.
A variety of triggers, ranging from very simple to quite complex match triggers, were fitted to the earliest models, eventually to be replaced by the Perfekt and Rekord triggers. The short trigger blocks were replaced at some point around the mid-1950s with longer blocks similar to the ones used today. A knurled ring at the rear of the earlier blocks gave way to a plain groove in the late '50s and then was dropped altogether sometime after 1960.
Topic starter
06/12/2017 01:09:10
Weihrauch HW50 circa.1950 (first series)
See also HEYM.
The first is serial no. 434, one of the earliest Weihrauchs known, thought to be made in 1950, the first year of post-WW2 production after restrictions on gun manufacture were lifted by the occupying Allies in June 1950. It is in .177 smoothbore. Unfortunately it lacks a stock.
Note the 'seagull' motif, found on early Weihrauchs. It's tempting for an English speaker to associate the seagull with 'Bay', but of course this is an abbreviation of Bayern (Bavaria).
This smoothbore HW50 sn.890 has a simple spring leaf rearsight similar to those on many prewar rifles.
and a "WH" stamp under the barrel (or 'HM' depending on orientation?!)
The trigger block knurling is different on these two low serial no. HW50s (both .177 cal smoothbore):
The earlier of the two guns has the more sophisticated rearsight of the block and leaf-type pattern. The breech block dovetail sizes suggest both sights are probably original to each rifle.
The rear cocking link pivot pins on the two earlier HW50s look much neater and better finished than the punched pins on the later model (also a smoothbore). The earlier rifles also have breech blocks threaded for screw in pivot bolts, instead of plain pins.
These three rearsight patterns, if all originals, show the mixing and matching that went on in the early days of Weihrauch.
Topic starter
06/12/2017 01:10:23
Weihrauch HW50V (1950s).
Topic starter
15/02/2018 18:47:34
Early Weihrauch HW50 restoration
With thanks to Frank for these pics. The same rifle is pictured above, incomplete. Frank has made a stock from scratch and carried out various other renovations.
For the 'before' pics see:
https://forum.vintageairgunsgallery.com/weihrauch/weihrauch-hw50/#post-134
Topic starter
08/12/2019 23:15:21
Weihrauch HW50 (Burgo marking)
With thanks to Jasper for the pics and Mike D for the heads up.
