FWB 300S Match L?

https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/yellow/fwb-300s-inbound-is-this-a-match-l-t222677.html

https://www.theoutdoorstrader.com/threads/item-relisted-fs-fwb-300s-quot-match-l-model-quot-vintage-target-air-rifle.1293584/

(Withdrawn)

Here is mine if it's any help.

NONE of my FWB 300s in any style nor generation (even my older 300 series) gets shot with the factory 10 meter sights. Their accuracy simply can't be appreciated as much without a scope on top.

Does your 300S have a removable cheekpiece? If so, you have a Universal, not a Match L.

I ask because the sight you described (with a dovetail) is what came on the Universal. The "U" came with two cheek pieces of different heights, high and low front sights, and a removable riser block for the rear sight. The front sight base mounts with a pin under the barrel, and the sight tunnel clamps to a dovetail on top.

The Match L came with a one-piece sight - the sight tunnel is integral with the mount and not removable.

Some 300's I have seen have both the top and bottom of the barrel cut for a mounting pin.

The pics show a U in both high and low modes. The three front sights are a high U on the left, a low U in the middle, and a Diana on the right.

Better pics, just for the record. 

The one-piece, top-pinned sight is the correct OEM part for older examples of the 300S "Match." Later examples came with a similar one-piece sight, pinned on the bottom.

The bottom-pinned sight with rail on top is the correct OEM part for the 300S "Universal," shown with the detachable high and low sight tunnels.

To add to the confusion, here is my 300s purchased in 1984. It has the L-type stock, but a bottom pinned front sight. All I knew when I bought it was that the long forend plus side lever cocking meant it could be used for kneeling and prone positions as well as offhand. I thought that was pretty cool at the time.

OOPS...upon further review, I am WRONG about the "Match L" using the top-pinned sight! At least for later examples. Apologies for any confusion, and have tried to patch up my previous posts here.

After re-reading your comments and looking more closely at the pics posted above, I pulled out some old Beeman catalogs. It looks like ALL 300S's switched to bottom-pinned front sights at some point, though all but the "U" still had a one-piece unit whose tunnel cannot be removed. 

I'm still pretty sure the "L" did not come with the "U's" interchangeable front sights as OEM equipment...but it would be easy enough to swap out if it had a bottom-pinned sight.

Always something new to learn...1BadDart, please do chime in when yours arrives!

From the serial number, mine would have been made early 1984. Does the L-type stock significantly enhance its value? I have been surprised that the FWB's don't hold their value better. They are the best of their type and were very expensive when new. I paid $650 for mine 36 years ago! A lot of them out there I guess.

MDriskill, the U in the photo's is yours? If so could you please measure the dovetail on the front sight? Maybe I can get a head start on finding a front sight.

Click to expand...

Of course...

The dovetail on the sight measures almost exactly 11 mm at the bottom (0.440"), and 13 mm at the top (0.520"). The corresponding spots on the mounting rail are a touch smaller (0.436" and 0.510"). 

Unfortunately this is quite a bit bigger than any other sight I have on hand. An Anschutz sight dovetail is slightly under 9 mm at the bottom and slightly over 11 mm at the top (0.335" and 0.445").

IMHO, the "L" stock should enhance value, though I would say it's one of the lesser-known special versions. Tyros, Running Targets, and Universals are probably more highly sought.

It's been my observation that 300's are generally climbing in value the last couple years, though, especially for nice-condition examples.

In case it will help, here is a photo of the AHG 9758 sight mounted on an Anschutz having an 11.02mm wide dovetail. This is an 18mm diameter sight with a height from base to center of 22mm. The 22mm diameter sight would be a little taller. Gehmann and Centra advertise front sights to fit current FWB, but I don't know if they would fit your rifle or not. In any case if you can't find a stock sight to fit, I would think it possible to open up the dovetail on the 9758 to fit your rifle. I would remove the sight base from your rifle, and take it to a competent gunsmith along with the new sight and have him machine the sight to fit the base. This is bread and butter type work for a gunsmith, and should be able to be done for a reasonable price.