Webley WG COW "27" pistol project!

Rook · Post by **Rook** » Mon Mar 30, 2009 1:24 am

Sorry mate, got behind this week. Went to visit my sister and her family at the other end of the state, dodging the flooded zones all the way.

I'm hoping to get my work bench back up and running later this week.
Had to take everything down to clean the house so my mom would have a place to sleep when she visited on Tuesday.

Russ

Imahomer · Post by **Imahomer** » Mon Mar 30, 2009 11:58 am

Thanks Russ... I guess I'm getting a little excited and it's always been hard for me to relax and wait for stuff.

Rook · Post by **Rook** » Mon Mar 30, 2009 5:26 pm

Oh, I understand completely.

Never hurts to ask!

Russ

Rook · Post by **Rook** » Thu Apr 02, 2009 7:01 pm

Took part of today off from work... so I could work at home!

After 5 hours I accomplished...

-Painted the remaining grip frames and all barrels
-Trimmed and drilled the side detail pieces (L/R sides)
as well as the remaining release levers and painted them.
-Turned down the release lever bolts.

What's left to do...

-Trim and drill hinge pins.
-Make 5 more sets of grip panels (seems I miscounted along the way...

)
-Trim, drill, paint and assemble remaining lanyard loops (8). This will take the longest amount of time because it's such fiddley work.
-Final assembly, weathering, detail painting and numbering.

Getting closer! And the obligatory in progress picture...

Russ

maboot38 · Post by **maboot38** » Thu Apr 02, 2009 7:11 pm

I love seeing the progress pics! Can't wait to get one in my hand.

maboot38 · Post by **maboot38** » Fri Apr 10, 2009 11:24 am

What number will this current batch take us to?

Russian Raider · Post by **Russian Raider** » Fri Apr 10, 2009 1:25 pm

Oh man, it looks sooo good. I cant wait to be part of COW "29" run. Great job Rook!
1

BazzanoJones · Post by **BazzanoJones** » Fri Apr 10, 2009 2:16 pm

This Webley replicas looks truly amazing!

Congratulation Rook! Your work is top notch!

Hope that in the future there will be another run...and also hope that I'll join it in time!

maboot38 · Post by **maboot38** » Fri Apr 10, 2009 2:26 pm

Arrrrrrrrgh, cut it out!!!! Everytime I see a post to this thread, I get all excited and think Rook has posted an update, then I log in and see it is just another member admiring his work!

You're killing me!!!!

Rook · Post by **Rook** » Fri Apr 10, 2009 11:28 pm

LOL! To answer your question, with the guns on the bench now, that will take us from #25 to number #35.

Sorry for no new updates. Visiting the grandkids this weekend in another state. 9.5 hours of driving...
one way.

Russ

JC1972 · Post by **JC1972** » Fri Apr 10, 2009 11:38 pm

Russian Raider wrote:Oh man, it looks sooo good. I cant wait to be part of COW "29" run. Great job Rook!
1

What about the "28" run?

maboot38 · Post by **maboot38** » Fri Apr 10, 2009 11:41 pm

Rook wrote:LOL! To answer your question, with the guns on the bench now, that will take us from #25 to number #35.

Sorry for no new updates. Visiting the grandkids this weekend in another state. 9.5 hours of driving...
one way.

Russ

Obviously grandkids are the priority! Without a doubt! What state do they live in?

Russian Raider · Post by **Russian Raider** » Sun Apr 12, 2009 4:59 am

JC1972 wrote:
Russian Raider wrote:Oh man, it looks sooo good. I cant wait to be part of COW "29" run. Great job Rook!
1
What about the "28" run?

Whoops, mistyped.

Rook · Post by **Rook** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 7:16 pm

maboot38 wrote:
Rook wrote:LOL! To answer your question, with the guns on the bench now, that will take us from #25 to number #35.

Sorry for no new updates. Visiting the grandkids this weekend in another state. 9.5 hours of driving...
one way.

Russ
Obviously grandkids are the priority! Without a doubt! What state do they live in?

Wisconsin. Madison... about as far from Minnesota as you can get and still be in the state.

Took 10+ hours to finally get home yesterday. Plus another hour to go get my wife's dog.

Russ

maboot38 · Post by **maboot38** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 7:46 pm

I understand your pain. My family lives on the very northern tip of Maine, and I'm south of Boston, so that is over 8 hours.

To make it worse, you have to dodge the deer and moose.

OK Rook, vacation's over. Back to work!

JK, Happy Easter!

Rook · Post by **Rook** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 9:22 pm

There was a vacation?

Russ

Rook · Post by **Rook** » Sun Apr 19, 2009 8:16 pm

"I'm back in the saddle again..."

Got a fair amount of work done today.

Mounted 11 hinge bolts (ran out of screws through, so only 10 have them).
Mounted L/R detail parts on 10 guns.
Mounted 11 barrel release levers.
Mounted the remaining 4 lanyard loops I made previously and then added the grips.

So, I have 4 guns about 90% done, just needing final detail painting on the
front sight and shell casings, and then numbering.

http://www.rookscastle.com/photos/webleyproject/1.jpg

Now here's a question. When i was doing the weathering I discovered a previously unseen air bubble on the front edge of the cylinder. I trimmed it and sanded it a bit but it's still noticeable.

If one of you on the list (Pistol #25-35) would like the one with the flaw, I'll knock off $5.00 from the price. I'll probably retouch the spot with black anyway. I just left it alone when I took the pics.

Pics are here of the one with the Indy damage...

http://www.rookscastle.com/photos/webleyproject/3.jpg

Let me know if you want it. Otherwise I'll open it up to eBay or something.

Russ

maboot38 · Post by **maboot38** » Mon Apr 20, 2009 8:35 am

OH BOY OH BOY OH BOY!!!! Looking good!

maboot38 · Post by **maboot38** » Mon Apr 20, 2009 10:36 am

Tundrarider wrote:
maboot38 wrote:Arrrrrrrrgh, cut it out!!!! Everytime I see a post to this thread, I get all excited and think Rook has posted an update, then I log in and see it is just another member admiring his work!

You're killing me!!!!

Sorry, maboot38; it's just me, "another member admiring his work..."

nothing like a "day late and a dollar short..."

I know I missed the boat on this as I just discovered this thread, but wanted to let Rook know he has yet another admirer and hopeful customer!!!!

I'd shore like to get my hands on one of these Webleys!!!!

Check with Rook, because he just announced that there was a SMALL flaw in one of his resin pours, and he'd be willing to sell it for a $5.00 discount. If nobody wants it, I think he was going to ebay the thing, so let him know if you are interested in that one.

redsleighdown · Post by **redsleighdown** » Thu Apr 23, 2009 2:46 pm

Rook wrote:Now here's a question. When i was doing the weathering I discovered a previously unseen air bubble on the front edge of the cylinder. I trimmed it and sanded it a bit but it's still noticeable.

If one of you on the list (Pistol #25-35) would like the one with the flaw, I'll knock off $5.00 from the price. I'll probably retouch the spot with black anyway. I just left it alone when I took the pics.

Russ

Sorry, want a flawless one. However, will this not be until your next pour set? Glad to see you pumping these things out again. Do you have an ETA on the next group of pistols? Thanks a million Russ.

Red

Rook · Post by **Rook** » Thu Apr 23, 2009 9:14 pm

Kind of suprised by the lack of responses. Last time I had a flawed one for money off, I had a bunch of people on the list wanting in. Strange.

I'll give it until tomorrow night to give anyone currently on the list a chance at it.
If no takers, It goes to Tundraraider.

I expect to have 10 completed this coming weekend.

Russ

Rook · Post by **Rook** » Tue Apr 28, 2009 2:58 pm

Sorry for the lack of updates (yet again).

Tundraraider is getting the flawed one which will be numbered #51
in the series so I can keep track of where they all end up. Somewhat keep
track of I mean... since 2 from the run have ended up in the hands of
"strangers" on eBay.

Anyhoo... updates on the project. Didn't hit my 'magical' 10 finished
number last weekend, but I did make headway.

Sunday/Monday saw...

- 8 more lanyard loops finished, including painting. It actually
suprised me how fast those came togeather as I have been dreading the assembly.

- 3-4 more sets of grip panels cast to fill out the current group.

4 pistols finished with major assembly including grip panels and lanyards.

Bought more screws and bolts, so the pistol missing the hinge bolt got "finished"
on that account.

No pics (sorry). I plan on getting back down in the basement and getting the
raw grip panels sanded, trimmed and clear coated tonight. I should have done it last night...

...but I didn't want to be covered in resin dust from the sanding. Sorry, I was feeling like
a wuss.

If I can keep at it little by little each day, those of you in the que should be
getting contacted this coming weekend.

Thanks everyone!

Russ

maboot38 · Post by **maboot38** » Tue Apr 28, 2009 3:07 pm

Yeeeeeeehaw!

Rook · Post by **Rook** » Tue Apr 28, 2009 4:16 pm

Rider? Raider?

I don't know HOW I could have made that mistake... on an Indiana Jones forum.

I'll get that changed.

Sorry for the mixup. I blame Spalko.

Russ

Rook · Post by **Rook** » Sat May 02, 2009 7:54 pm

Okay, #25-27 (and #51) are D-O-N-E, DONE!

I have 4-6 more that will be finished shortly. All that remains
is numbering them.

Pics soon! It's nice to see so many guns done and sitting pretty in a row. $\:D/$

Sadly though, for every two steps forward, sometimes there's a step back.
Turns out I hadn't drilled the lanyard post hole deep enough on one gun,
and after I had it all assembled I gave the ring a twist... and off she came!
Doh!

One more thing to redo.

Russ

andrewindy · Post by **andrewindy** » Sun May 03, 2009 9:25 am

hey rook

when are you going to take another round of order for those webley? A lot of us are waiting for the second round order.

please kindly give us a estimate time on those

thanks rook

Rook · Post by **Rook** » Sun May 03, 2009 2:27 pm

I need to finish THIS run before I even think about another one.

Pistols #25-31 are completely done now.

And as promised... pics!

http://www.rookscastle.com/photos/webleyproject/6.jpg
http://www.rookscastle.com/photos/webleyproject/8.jpg
http://www.rookscastle.com/photos/webleyproject/9.jpg

Thanks for looking!

Russ

JC1972 · Post by **JC1972** » Tue May 05, 2009 1:13 pm

Darn, I missed out again.

Russ, I really hope you have another run. I understand you have to finish these first before considering another one. Thanks for letting me vent.

Rook · Post by **Rook** » Wed May 06, 2009 12:33 pm

I was wondering why people kept asking me about #33 when I had filled the
slot in the Cairo Bazzar thread.... Oops. problem solved.

No problem on the venting mate.

Got 2 guns sent out on Tuesday. Hope to get the majority of the rest sent out Thursday or Friday.
Still need to finish 2 more that I need to make a couple metal parts for.

The good thing about the metal parts is they're relatively easy to recast if you mess something up...
as I did when drilling them. The drill bit grabbed tight and drilled strait through when I was trying only
to countersink the screw hole. Doh.

Too bad it's not harder metal, but I do what I can.

I've been getting a lot of people asking about another run. Here's things the way I see it...

After I finish the current batch, I'll still "owe" about 15 people guns. I'm hoping to get some
more castings done in the next month. After that, I've had a lot of requests lately for
another pistol kit I sold before the Webleys, and that's an Anime revolver from the series "Trigun."

Sadly, the Trigun kits take even longer to do than the Webleys do because they have
about double the parts. But that's neither here, nor there.

Anyhoo... I plan on doing a few of the Trigun kits. And then doing SMALLer runs
of Webleys. Instead of 50 gun runs... I'm thinking about 10 at a time. This will be
more manageable for me, and help get them out a bit faster. It's all relative of course
to how much "free" time I have and how much the Mrs. requires of me in the Spring/Summer.

So, that's the plan anyway. Just keep in mind I'm making this up as I go along.

Update: 4 more shipping out tomorrow. I ran out of
Priority Mail boxes but have another shipment coming in.

Still need to hear back from a couple people.

Russ

Rook · Post by **Rook** » Thu May 07, 2009 4:43 pm

Someone asked me about opening the pistol. I did this up in another thread (took a while to find it...)
I honestly don't know how durable the hinges will be in the long term. That's why I suggest that you
open the pistol this way. Heck, Indy did it this way in Last Crusade, so It can't be wrong!

Also, here's a little tidbit on opening the gun. Grab it by the barrel, with
your fingers resting in the grooves on the underside of the barrel. Put
your thumb on top of the barrel above the cylinder. Release the lever
with your right thumb and gently twist the two halves open.

DO NOT JUST GRAB THE BARREL AND OPEN IT!

There's a reason I said it so loud. By grasping closer to the hinge you're
putting less of a strain on the barrel itself, and in turn the hinge. It's a
simple lever after all. If you look at the scene on the beach in the LC,
("Let my armies be the trees, the rocks and the birds in the sky...")
you'll see indy grab his own pistol that high up, near the hinge. Again,
with this pistol (the resin one) it will put less stress on the gun and reduce
the risk of damage.

Still need a couple people to contact me. Shipped 4 more out today!

Russ

redsleighdown · Post by **redsleighdown** » Mon May 11, 2009 10:43 am

Rook, check your PM. Thanks.

maboot38 · Post by **maboot38** » Mon May 11, 2009 1:14 pm

#31/50 arrived today, and it is FANTASTIC!!!!! Thanks so much Russ. I'm so happy that I was able to get into this run.

Dan

Rook · Post by **Rook** » Mon May 11, 2009 3:57 pm

You're welcome, glad you like it!

Russ

Dakota Ellison · Post by **Dakota Ellison** » Mon May 11, 2009 7:41 pm

Got mine today as well. #30/50. A perfect fit in my Webley holster. This is a fine replica and it really reflects all the work you put into it. A tip of my fedora to ya and thanks very much.

Rook · Post by **Rook** » Tue May 12, 2009 12:29 am

I hate to sound like a broken record, but you're welcome and I'm glad you like it.

It's always my worry that someone with even higher standards than my own will be disappointed when they receive it... but luckily that hasn't been the case thus far.

Russ

Rook · Post by **Rook** » Tue May 12, 2009 3:23 pm

Hate to keep bumping my own thread (which, incidentally is kind of silly since it's been stickied.

), but there
may be an opening for position #28. The board member who signed up for that slot hasn't been online in 2
months and hasn't replied to PM or e-mail yet, so If I don't hear anything by the end of the week I'll open
it up to the forum.

Russ

Post by **Indiana Jeff** » Wed May 13, 2009 2:53 am

Goody-goody-goody-goody!!! $\:D/$

I mean, I hope IndyParise isn't trapped under something heavy or anything, but if another spot on the list opens up than all the better for the Forum.

And, um, me cuz I'd really like to get the spot.

Regards,

Indiana Jeff

Swindiana · Post by **Swindiana** » Wed May 13, 2009 8:39 am

Got mine today.

It's a keeper folks!

Best,
Swindiana

binkmeisterRick · Post by **binkmeisterRick** » Wed May 13, 2009 8:56 am

I'm jealous! I've seen a couple of these in person and they are, indeed, VERY nice replicas! Nicer than any of the other resin guns I've seen in person. I just wish it was in the cards to get one myself.

maboot38 · Post by **maboot38** » Wed May 13, 2009 9:23 am

Nice fez, bink!

binkmeisterRick · Post by **binkmeisterRick** » Wed May 13, 2009 9:31 am

Thanks!

JC1972 · Post by **JC1972** » Wed May 13, 2009 11:36 am

I'll be sure to look here and in the Bazaar, thanks Russ!

Dr. Henricus23 · Post by **Dr. Henricus23** » Thu May 14, 2009 7:19 am

Oh Rook,

How much I would love to get on this list..........

You see, a team of people are making a charity film-'Indiana Jones and the Songs of the Shrine'-I am Indy (I have the accent to a T), and even though it is set in 1930, I said I would like an SA gun for the film-now probably Indy would have had a S&W .45 at that time, but to me the Webley is far more 'Indy-esque', also my gear has an LC look to it.

So I would love to snap up this spot if opened up, although I would not want to be rude to anyone else here-but it would be wonderful to have such a replica-everyone would be accredited on the film (and given a DVD copy if wanted!)

Although Rook, I have to say I'm in the UK, meaning of course, if there was some way to sanp one of these beauties up-you'd have to paint the barrel a fluorescent colour (I think it was mentioned on this thread earlier)......

I take it 106 pounds would be the 'damage', so to speak, IF I were to sneak in?

Rook · Post by **Rook** » Sun May 17, 2009 2:14 pm

That's a great picture! Thanks for sharing!

Russ

BazzanoJones · Post by **BazzanoJones** » Sun May 17, 2009 2:38 pm

A true beauty!

JC1972 · Post by **JC1972** » Tue May 19, 2009 2:23 pm

Russ,
Any word on #28? Thanks!

Dr. Henricus23 · Post by **Dr. Henricus23** » Tue May 19, 2009 2:47 pm

Yes, #28....... Did your buyer get back to you on that one, Rook? Not to seem presumptious.....

All good wishes

Rook · Post by **Rook** » Tue May 19, 2009 3:14 pm

Yep, #28 has been given a new home.

Thanks for looking!

Russ

Sarednab · Post by **Sarednab** » Wed May 20, 2009 3:25 pm

I received mine today! Great Work Rook

IndyWannaBee · Post by **IndyWannaBee** » Fri May 29, 2009 4:49 am

Hey what ever happened to the original COW 27? I don't feel so special anymore knowing that there are 51 of these fine replicas running around out there now!!!!

Are there anything different between the first original 27 and numbers 28 plus?