Rare FWB 124D find

[kingfisher61]

Came across an 51xxx serial number FWB 124. The stock wood was very nice looking and the bluing near perfect. It was equipped with the regular open sites and a Beeman Peep site. Problem was, it's didn't shoot. Piston seal was toast. So, I bought it for a fair price.

When I got it home, I sent some pictures of it to some of my FWB friends. I thought it might be a rare Walnut version due to the serial number corresponding with a 1983 manufacture

date. A friend told me to check under the butt pad and look for grain figure. So, I did and Eureka!!! It was !!

I'm thrilled to have it. Here's some pics.

 

[intenseaty22]

Nice! How long before you have her all redone and ready to shoot?

 

[Motorhead]

Very nice ... love my 124D and have for near 30 years !

 

[kingfisher61]

I plan on shipping it to Airguntunes.com asap. I'm thinking a complete resto. Possibly a Soft Tune kit from JM.

The grip checking is nice, but lacks depth. I'll have it redone. The stock is pretty, but shows its been used. Plus, it's pretty plain as is. I'll have the finish show the mineral lines in a much more pronounced fashion.

Usually this is about a month or 2 turnaround, but luckily they're not too busy. So, hopefully in a month or so it will be ready.

The idea of refinishing one of these rare Walnut stocks might seem like blasphemy to some. However, I think the rifle will benefit from it . If it were perfect , of course I wouldn't change it. This one has scratches and dents on the wood, so I feel justified cleaning it up. No different than painting an old classic car IMO.

 

[Beeman22]

That is a really cool find, nice work! 

Wait a minute, didn't you JUST sell one of these?? I thought you were running out of room? Tell you what, John, I'll help you out and take this one off your hands. But then I'd have five of these because after I bought my first one from you, I somehow concluded that I needed at least three more. Not really sure how that happened. 

Looking forward to seeing some "after" pics.

 

[kingfisher61]

Shareef

How are you my friend? Always good to hear from you. I hope all is well in your FWB world. 5 124s??? No wonder I can't find any around!

In fact I did sell one here recently. Due to that add I ended up selling another 124 as well. So, that was 2 sold and one bought. Lol. This one surprised me because I was sure it was Beech. Thrilled it's Walnut!!! That makes 3 124 Factory Walnuts and 1 127 Factory Walnut. Plus the rest. Lol

However , there was this beater 127 I found on an auction site. I couldn't resist. If I told you I paid 150 for it would you believe me? Of course it needs a complete head to toe resto. So, off to Scotts shop it went. Getting it reblued, new internals and mounting it on my Tyro JM ( see pic below) that Scott built. It's the one with the front checking.

I definitely will be following up with pictures as things develop. Here's a couple of pics of the beater.

This poor FWB 127 looks like it came out of a shed! The white line spacer is cracked and the bluing is worn and patina all over it. Just pathetic to see it like this.

Once Scott is done, you won't believe how different these 2 rifles will be. I'm very excited to get a chance to bring these 2 fine rifles back to life.

Stay tuned.....pun intended! !

 

[harrympope]

i had no clue they did them in walnut.there is one at a local shop I swore was walnut but I thought it was just the finish.now I gotta check.

 

[kingfisher61]

George 

I don't know how you find all these local goodies! How have you been ?



JC

 

[Bigragu]

I’ve got one just like it. I’ll have to check, but I believe the cocking linkage part of the gun is covered with stock. I picked it up from a neighbor whose husband had passed, and it was his gun. Has the 2-7 blue ribbon Beeman scope on it, along with sling swivels and muzzle break.

The stock is near mint, but you can tell he dry fired it a few times, cause like yours, the piston seal was toast, and the spring half cock wobbly when I pulled it out. I was able to source all seals, spring, and piston seal from PA.

It cost me a whopping $150- for the purchase of the gun with scope.



ive often came close to selling it, to help fund a high end PCP, but after reading on here that it is sought after, I decided to keep it. I recently have seen sales going for up to $450 on these.

 

[warlord]

John I have to do you one better! Found this with the cocking arm hanging loose and the stock in very rough shape. He wanted $50 but I gave him a $100...well worth it. It is a 127 but look at the stamping. ..

Holy Cow it is a JNC!!! I don't think anyone has ever seen a 127 JNC

 

[addertooth]

Just as a reference, this is what the Beech stock looks like.

 

[mvmtoys]

very nice find congrats.

 

[kingfisher61]

Here's the finished product. What a difference! Had Airguntunes.com install a JM slightly softer kit. So easy to cock and shoots with zero twang. Just a real pleasure to shoot.

Front globe missing in action, but I have an extra somewhere. The checking is so much bicer. Very crisp and sharp! I'm so glad I had it refurbished. It's a keeper for sure. 

 

[Houli]

Some guys get all the pretty girls!!

Cheers John

 

[kingfisher61]

Some guys get all the pretty girls!!

You should know Mike!!! Thanks, but Scott deserves the credit. I just paid for it. Lol! Had it out today. Total pleasure to look at and shoot.

 

[Wadcutter]

What a beauty. Most would not have noticed it was special. Scott did a great job.

 

[hkshooter]

Very nice, you did it justice. Congrats.

 

[kingfisher61]

Very nice, you did it justice. Congrats.

Thanks hk. It's never an easy decision to go that route. I agonize over leaving it original or refurbishment. Personally, I prefer the refurbished look and feel of the wood and chequering. The cheques are very sharp and crisp!!