Weihrauch HW55

Weihrauch HW55M (1st series, early 1950s) 

This rifle is the first serious low-powered match rifle made by Weihrauch, an advanced version of the simple HW50, Weihrauch's first post-War air rifle.

The main low-powered rival to the HW55 when it was first produced was the Walther LG51/52/53 series, with stock-mounted (later cylinder-mounted) diopter sights (see WALTHER section in this gallery).

It might also to some extent have been a rival to the Falke 90 as a competition rifle, but with a lower muzzle energy it couldn't really have competed as a dual-purpose sporting gun. For that purpose, the HW35 would have been a closer equivalent to the Falke.

HW's first series rifles, the HW50/55/35 and their variants, are distinguishable from later Weihrauchs principally by the fact that they have short trigger blocks and (if they were distributed by Weihrauch itself) a seagull-type logo on the left side of the breech block.

The HW50 was first launched (after June 1950 when airguns below 6mm calibre were first allowed by the Allied occupiers) in smoothbore only due to the prevailing regulations in Germany on rifled barrels (these were lifted in September 1951). At some point before 1953 the HW35 and HW55 joined the HW50 in full production.

Within this first HW series, built years before the famous Rekord trigger was introduced (probably in the second half of the decade), there were a number of different triggers, ranging from the most basic on the first HW50 to quite sophisticated match triggers like the one shown below.

This HW55M was 36DM more expensive than a Falke 90 with diopter in 1953, the difference being equal to the price of a brand new Falke 50!

Weihrauch HW55TF (1950s).

This is one of the first Tyrolean HW55s, judging by its early serial number.
It's an "F" type without the barrel locking lever; only a conventional
detent lock. It has a dark-stained, heavy <u>beech</u> 'T' stock
with finger grooves and a red rubber butt plate. It has a Rekord trigger.
And it has two small oil holes drilled in the top of the cylinder, similar
to the Walther LGs, possibly by a previous owner.

It's a 'long trigger block' model serial # 31830. To confirm
it's all original there are three serial number stamps on the trigger
block, on the cylinder, and on the underside of the breech block. The
trigger guard definitely isn't original.

The stock (which is cracked at the pistol grip) has no cutout for a barrel
locking lever, so it can't have come from a later HW55T. The stock has the dealer's
stamp of Le Hanne, Krefeld, which was still trading until very recently
- and used the same typeface on its logo.

The breech block has HW55T engraved on it, which further confirms that this rifle
set out as a very early Tyrolean-stocked HW55. Could it be one of the earliest
made?

Weihrauch HW55TF Serial Number 30399.

This is a Beech version with a different detail in the "comb"of the Tyro stock.

Comparison with 2 other Walnutt 55TF's from the same era.

Side by side with its sister, made the SAME DAY!

----------------------------
Frank

Weihrauch HW55MM circa 1990.

This is one of the last of the HW55 match models, made approx. 1990

Weihrauch HW55T (mid-1960s).

Weihrauch HW55M DST circa 1950s.

This is a rare early-to-mid 1950s double set trigger version of the HW55. Note that the diopter has been bent upwards to give a more 'heads up' sighting position. Unusually, the barrel breech has no Weihrauch markings. However, the barrel cocking link has a serial number stamped on it which matches the number on the trigger block and cylinder.

Weihrauch HW55 Junior / HWB.

This was a junior version of the HW55 introduced in the mid-1990s. With thanks to Mike D for these pics.

He describes the Champ overall as a "junior variant with small beech stock, short barrel, barrel weight sleeve, adjustable-position trigger"

and the stock as: "beech, angular modern match styling, very small proportions, stippled grip, accessory rail, adjustable buttplate with spacers".

Weihrauch HW55CM.

With thanks to Mike D for these pics. He says: "This version of the HW 55 (sold as the "Match," "Custom Match," or "CM" in various markets), sold from the mid-70's to early-80's, is a very interesting and unique stock style.

Obviously patterned after the FWB's of the day, and intended for some reasonably serious 10-meter work."

Weihrauch HW55TF DST Serial Number 30397.

-----------------------------
Frank

Weihrauch HW55S (1st series).

With thanks to Kyle for these pics.

Collection of Weihrauch HW55s 

These pics retrieved from the American Vintage Airguns forum.

Weihrauch HW55S 1st series 

Weihrauch HW55F collection 

With thanks to Frank for this pic. The 'F' model lacked the barrel locking lever, possibly to save money so the company could offer it as a 'budget' option.

Weihrauch HW55 Champ (late model) 

Spotted on eGun.de.

Weihrauch HW55T serial no. 98385 

Weihrauch HW55M serial no.92359 (Burgo marked) 

Weihrauch HW55T (timewarp full kit) 

Thanks to Paul.

Weihrauch HW55 triggers - by Mike Driskill and Frank Korn 

I recently traded some information with a forum pal about older HW 55 trigger details, and thought the resulting pics might be of interest.

This is the oldest 55 I have (1952?). Among many other differences from newer examples, note the threaded-on rear block which is much shorter than on more modern HW's (arrow shows the joint), and the heavy cast trigger guard.  The stamped trigger blade is straight from the 55's parent, the original HW 50 sporter; a 2-stage pull with a simple sear-engagement adjustment screw on the rear face of the receiver.

This is one of the rare double-set triggers (1952-3?). The DST has nothing in common with the standard trigger. It's a self-contained unit attached to the stock only, with a "flying" hammer on top that strikes a modified sear lever protruding below the action, and a unique trigger guard. Other DST's were built around the later long-block actions, and are different in detail.

Next evolution of the short-block trigger (1953?), a solid milled steel blade with a pull-adjustment screw behind. The internal design has intermediate levers giving a very nice pull.

In the mid-1950's, Weihrauch re-designed their basic architecture for a longer trigger block (arrow at joint - 1954?). This affected all their rifles (which at the time was only three models, the HW 35, 50, and 55); and was so significant they apparently re-started their serial numbers! This steel trigger operates similarly to the final short-block one though.

The long block eventually received the famous Rekord trigger, contained in a removable module. Note that this very early one (1955) retains the old trigger guard, and has a very thin blade with blued weight-adjuster screw. The receiver for this interesting example is actually milled to accept both the Rekord and the previous-style trigger.

This gun (1956) has an evolved Rekord sporting a stouter blade, the modern checkered cast trigger guard, and an alloy adjuster screw.

This rifle (1970) has another blade variation, and added the locking sleeve around the adjuster screw that became a 55 hallmark. The sleeve required a minor modification to the top of the trigger guard casting for clearance.

One final note: all of HW's early rifles use the same sequence of serial numbers. in other words, by 1970 they had manufactured about 350,000 long-block rifle actions, but not that many HW 55's.

Frank adds:

These are the triggers Weihrauch used in the very early years of production, just as Mike stated.
Without the stocks you get a better idea what they look like and differences are easier to spot.

These are examples of the trigger blocks that where still used when the Rekord trigger came along.

Weihrauch HW55 spring dimensions 

With thanks to Mike D and Phil.

Phil says:

From my notes: (note that I was not aiming for high power)

' Original spring spec is, I believe c. 2.75mm wire x 32 coils. The replacement I put in is HW77 spec but seems OK. A meteor spring does not fit as the spring guide does not fit.
Subsequently fitted a 7.5J spring from Versandhaus Schneider'

Mike says:

Used one removed from an early-1960's "Burgo"-labeled HW 55: 31 coils, .770" OD, .110" wire

Used one removed from a 1980's-era HW 55: 31.5 coils, .775" OD, .110" wire

Un-used modern HW 55 replacement from Jim Maccari here in the US: 31.5 coils, .770" OD, .112" wire

Used one removed from an old-style HW 50: 29.5 coils, .775" OD, .120" wire.

I've had great luck with Maccari's springs in several HW 55's. A slight boost in power over factory, and very smooth and crisp action.

Weihrauch HW55 resurrection (camo paint stripped) 

With thanks to Jasper.

Weihrauch HW55 stock patterns 

With thanks to Mike D.

Weihrauch HW55T cutaway (Beeman Collection) 

Pics copyright Rock Island Auctions.