The Melbourne Marksmen’s (Royal British Legion) Airgun Fayre in the British Midlands was held on Sunday 16th June 2013. Apart from raising a significant sum for charity, the event was a rare chance for UK collectors to meet, sell and swap airguns, as well as shoot bell and paper targets. One of the organisers reports.
Melbourne Marksmen is a bell target club that was formed three years ago by a number of air rifle collectors who were interested in the sport of six yard bell target shooting. The club has 30 members
who meet weekly at the Royal British Legion (RBL) Club on Derby road at Melbourne (Derbyshire) and organise club and interclub competitions on a regular basis.
Three airguns fayres have been organised in the recent past. The first one was at Leicester and District Small Bore Rifle and Pistol Club’s ranges at Groby six years ago and then Sutton Coldfield Rifle
Club ran two of these fayres more recently.
This fayre was organised by the members of Melbourne Marksmen to raise money for the RBL Poppy Appeal and to generate interest in collectable air rifles from the pre-WW2 era to the more modern rifles used today and also to provide some target shooting on the day for visitors to take part in. Fourteen tables
were purchased by airgun collectors to sell part of their collections of airguns and spares and the club also ran a ‘bring and buy’ stall for visitors to sell their airguns and accessories. Shooting on the six yard range
began at 11 am and the fayre continued until late afternoon. In addition to the buying and selling of airguns/airgun spares, the club held air rifle competitions for young and old, in fact for ages seven to 80. The 7-12-year-olds competed outdoors using a toy type plastic rifle,
shooting soft sponge missiles onto a target and the 12 -18-year-olds shot low-powered air rifles adapted for use by youngsters. Prizes were awarded to all the 40+ youngsters who took part.
(over 18), bell target competitions were organised throughout the day on the club’s six yard indoor range with prizes kindly donated by several very generous sponsors, including Solware Ltd, T. W. Chambers, Uttings, and Pellpax.
Visitors were encouraged to bring their own air rifles to compete for the many prizes on the day but club guns were made available for those without a rifle. The shooting was supervised by experienced club members and was carried out in
accordance with the club’s safety rules.
The bell target competitions were organised for different classes of air rifle. All rifles were .177 calibre and were fitted with open or diopter
sights. There was a bell target class for pre- War spring powered air rifles, a class for classic spring powered air rifles (that included the early recoiling 10 metre match German air rifles such as the Weihrauch break-barrel 55 models and the Walther LG55 variants) and an ‘open’ competition for any air rifle. The ‘open’ class included the more modern match single stroke pneumatic rifles and pre-charged dedicated 10 metre target guns. These competitions proved very popular with both experienced shooters
and with the general public visiting the fayre.
There were many positive
comments on the day regarding just how well these competitions were organised and enjoyed and this was appreciated by those involved in managing the events. Prizes were awarded throughout the day to the shooters achieving the best scores. The main attraction on the day was the sales section and it was the huge selection of vintage, classic and modern airguns that most people attending were interested in. The number of air rifles and pistols on display for sale exceeded all our expectations and the fayre was very busy during the day. Our experienced caterers carried out their duties providing BBQ food during the day and the whole event went very smoothly, with numerous people commenting on how they enjoyed the event. What was obvious was the interest many people have in collecting and using the older type of airguns that perhaps some owned in their youth. The types of guns for sale included most of the popular British Webleys (including two very nice Service Mk11’s), some superb examples of BSA break barrel and underlever airguns covering 100 years of production, and custom British rifles by Venom and John Bowkett. A very rare .25 cal Improved model D sold on the day and at least 2 air-canes sold, one straight and one cranked, with pump, key and ammo mould. Another star BSA on sale was a rather special Light Pattern priced at just under £2,600.
There was a big choice of German airguns such as Weihrauch rifles, Walther spring air rifles, Original/ Diana break barrel and sidelever rifles. Anschutz, Feinwerkbau and a number of BSF’s were also up for sale. In fact there were many rifles and pistols that I did not even recognise.
I saw several superb American, Spanish and Japanese pneumatics that were for sale and more modern
pre-charged rifles by Air Arms and Daystate. Rarer guns included Giffards. Pistols again included many of the Webley range including Juniors, Seniors, Premiers, Mk1’s and the more modern Tempests, Hurricanes, and the ever popular BSA Scorpions. A good choice of superb Walther LP53 spring pistols were on
display including boxed examples, a mint boxed Walther LP3 SSP, HW 45’s, various Crosman and Hammerli pistols, a boxed Hy-Score model 800, and many others.
In addition to the takings on the day by the RBL staff, the fayre itself raised £700 for the RBL Poppy Appeal and a presentation of the cheque to the local representative was carried out at our weekly club meeting on Thursday 20th June. The feedback from those who attended has been fantastic and
demonstrates a demand for similar events in the future. Many of the visitors left the fayre with air rifles and air pistols they purchased and hopefully this will boost our club membership and increase interest in airgun target shooting. A number of enthusiasts have in fact stressed that they have never seen such a collection of airguns for sale and have requested a repeat of this fayre next year. We hope to oblige and the club would like to offer our sincere thanks to the sponsors and everyone who had a part in this event.