Club Obi Wan

The word from Tanaka Works is that they are interested in doing a Webley WG. Fully functional, plated metal finish, heavy build quality, cap fire or airsoft. Tanaka is high-end stuff, and their models are beautiful. The problem is that the cost will be higher. The S&W was not a huge investment for them because they already had an N frame model with all the guts. This model would be completely from scratch. They want to know what kind of sales they can expect to offset the extra cost.

So, what do you think? You can also weigh in with comments about PFC or airsoft. I think in Japan they prefer cap guns. Here in the USA, no one sells cap guns.

I may need to take pre-orders on these. I would expect my investment would have to be $20,000+. Obviously, I can't put out that kind of money, especially on pure speculation. Do I have 100 pre-orders?

Awesome news Todd!
I'm thrilled to hear that Tanaka Works is showing interest in the WG.
You can count me in for a pre-order if it will help make your project come true.

Well, yuji, it looks like it's just me and you. I'll tell Tanaka there's no interest.

Keep in mind this has only been up a day. You might also want to post a link to this thread in the Vendors section, as not everyone checks out the gun forum.

Okay, I'll give it some more time. But, you'll agree, if I posted something about pants, I'd have 30 posts before lunch today.

Sorry, but can you tell me how I post a link to a topic?

Well, simply because more people around here are into pants than guns! And the General Gear section is far more populated than this forum.

To post a link, just grab/copy the url at the top of this page. Here, I'll make it easy. Copy and paste this link into your new thread in the Vendors section: http://indygear.com/cow/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=50303" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Thanks! Let's see what we get in the vendor section. Personally, I think it would be a great item, but I've wasted a lot of money on making that mistake before!!!

So I just have to copy the "viewtopic...." part? Thanks!

If you copy the entire url, it makes it an automatic link without having to put the "url" commands around it. (I fixed it for you. )

Ah! Thanks!

Please do give it a little more time Todd .
In the meantime, I'm writing to Tanaka Works, hopefully with my friends here, to show that there is a demand for a WG replica.

That's a great idea. Maybe you could even stop by. It still looks like it's just you and me.

Hey Todd...
I'm interested, but if Tanaka do make them, it wouldn't make much sense to have them ship to you and then ship back to Japan, so I wasn't sure what to write really...
I'm more than interested (once my bank sorts itself out..), and I'd say I'd buy one... I'm just not sure who I would end up paying for it, if you see what I mean...

Sent a letter to Tanaka Works, Todd. I'll let you know if they respond.

Hi Ben, thanks for your support.

Yuji,
No doubt! If you need support in Japan for it I'll sign up as well...
Todd, I'd be interested for sure. If you can find the other buyers to cover you then I presume I'd be able to get a version from Tanaka here, so I'm backing this. (It would probably be cheaper to buy it from the US anyway since the Yen is strong...LOL)..
Either way, I'm interested

fifthchamber,

If you can contact Tanaka and express interest, it will be persuasive. The more buzz the better.

I sent them some mechanical drawings of the Webley revolvers, so I'll see if they can derive a price estimate from them. Perhaps we can do something like a special discount price for pre-orders. If I can promise to order 100 or so guns, that would help sway them.

Of course, to proceed I'll have to buy a Webley WG for mold making, so there's an investment on my part (I guess I can always sell it when I'm done with it).

-Todd

Todd,
I will, thanks for the idea. (And good luck on the deal, I'm sure you wouldn't lose money in the long run, but it does seem rather lonely here...)..
Yuji? Any chance I could get a contact address or email from you? I've not really looked for the website, since my school has a filter that goes crazy with the "G-word", but if you could let me know?
Thanks!

Ah, I found the site okay (Cheating.... On iPhone), but it appears they won't respond to emails from private parties? Yuji, what did you do in emailing them? Would it be possible to add my name to your letter or support to the phone call if and when you ring them?
Their work looks great, and a Webley like that would be incredibly cool... (Although knowing me I'd only get arrested by the Keisatsu)..
Thanks mate..

Hi Ben,
as you mentioned, they don't seem to accept e-mails except from vendors, so I just wrote them a letter and posted it.

I told them I bought three versions of their M1917(as many of my friends have done), and that there is definitely a good demand for a WG. Hoping that they would take the time to write back.
I've also told members of our Indygear community here about Todd's WG project, and hoping they would chime in.

Hey Yuji,
Yeah, lets keep the pressure on here and at Tanaka as well eh? Maybe they'll be pushed into believing us! (It's surely something that has market in the US and worldwide as well, not just here right? And not just Indy fans too surely?)..
Please consider my name added to the list.

Agreed Ben

Very, very VERY interested

interested! Depending on the price though.

Not really interested in this particular gun, but I am glad to see your relationship with Tanaka growing. Perhaps you will soon be able to get some extra cartridges.

I can get spare cartridges, but hang onto your hat - the WHOLESALE price they gave me was $10 each - $60 for a set of 6. If you want them, I will give them to you with no mark-up. $60 for 6 + shipping.

Hmm. $60, huh. That's a bit more than I had hoped for, but it is progress, I guess. Thanks for the update, I will be contacting you for a set soon, I hope.

hey todd,
definitely interested todd. that would be my firsst prop indy handgun.

keith

I'm way interested. Pfc, ideally. (wasn't able to vote in the poll for some reason)

I don't stop by COW much, but I read about this at the Indy Lounge. I'm definitely in for one, Todd! It wouldn't let me vote either. I will tell you, I'd probably pay more than a lot to get this. Despite my meager earnings.

Ooooo, I'd get one And I agree about a RPF post. I'm sure that could help.

I'd be interested in an airsoft version.

Russ

Casted my vote! Interested depending on price.

I'd be interested in an cap fire version but not airsoft, I can't legally own airsoft where I am.

I'd be in at the $350 level so long as its heavy, realistic, breaks open, and hopefully capable of ejecting dummy cases. Cap or airsoft doesn't matter to me.

ok so what's the verdict on it since japan got hit by earthquakes,and a tsunami,and now the nuce plants? just curious.

keith

.455/.476 wrote:I'd be in at the $350 level so long as its heavy, realistic, breaks open, and hopefully capable of ejecting dummy cases. Cap or airsoft doesn't matter to me.

Same here, count me in. I've bought a Wade and Rook WG so I'd definitely like something that looks and acts real for some target practice fun.

Is there any news on this? I'd probably be interested in a PFC version.

I am not sure if this is still a possibility, but I am interested in a PFC version.

Hi, some update to this project!? I'm interested depending on price

No, no update. I need a WG to mold so I can send resin parts to the mfgs. I'd also knock on Marushin's door. There didn't seem to be a lot of interest from this post, so maybe it's not a good idea.

If Rook's interested in getting in on this, I'd cut him in for a set of resin parts (including the internals). Email me if you're interested.

-Todd

I've been working on the Rick O'Connell 1873 French revolver. Same deal. I'll send out the parts with some nice action shots from "The Mummy" and see if anyone's interested in manufacturing it. It might be a decent seller in Japan.

Didn't know you were needing parts to get the manufacturer's going.

Sending you a PM.

Russ