My fascination with the Weihrauch HW-52 models keeps growing.   I'm researching these fine match rifles and their start in history.  Does their model name tie to their release date?   Weihrauch named some of their early airrifles (HW-50, HW-55) based on the year sales started.   The HW-50 was from 1950, the HW-55 (a cult classic) in 1955.   

So, did the HW-52 follow that same pattern?  Until I receive a definitive reply back from HW, I'll assume this. That puts the production start in 1952, making this an early post-war (WWII) rifle.   Weihrauch was (and still is) a German airrifle, rifle, and revolver company.

With each rifle stripped, I noticed that the trigger geometry and sear arrangement was different between them.  Their serial numbers are about 1,000 apart and I don't believe they were made in either large annual volumes.  I would estimate they were made 3-5 years apart.

I have extensive knowledge in their early airrifles, working on early HW-50 and HW-55 (1953-1958), and mid-years (1960-1967).   Their airrifles had an evolution in trigger geometry, so it would make sense that their (firearm) rifles would too.

In the photo below, my early HW-52 (est. bj date is 1953?) shows a simple single sear.  Below it is the Match model (est. bj date is 1955-1960?) showing a double sear arrangment. 

It makes sense that a simple single sear arrangement would be in their early models as their early airrifles had a single sear arrangment.   Then in 1955 the trigger geometry was changed to the double sear arrangment. I've attached a 1955 advert (AKAH catalog).   If you look closely, Weihrauch mentions a 'new patent trigger' and the photo shows a double sear arrangement.

Now for the de-evolution.   Look closely at the 1957 advert (AKAH too), almost the same words, however, the trigger arrangement is back to a single sear.

So, did Weihrauch evolve their trigger only to go back to their earlier (single stage) mechanism?   Stay tuned as I research more.

Real great and interesting documentary, thanks for showing!

           Biggi.   

dwd,

On the Haenel, is it a two-piece stock?   Care to snap a closeup of the breech area so we can see?   Also curious as to the rear diopter (what the mount looks like close-up).

Chuck

chuckjordan2 wrote on Jul 6^th, 2012 at 10:30pm:


The stock(s) aren't "two piece."

Here's a view of the tang (on #1 Olympia) showing the diopter mounted… 
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(n.b. installation incomplete, still need to remove a bit from the 6.XX mm "stub" up near the diopter's base so it'll fit flush w/ the tang's shoulder.  It's case colored/hardened and I haven't gotten around to filing/grinding off that last little bit.) Also, the sight is "way up" for shooting "at" 200Y targets. Normally, (50Y) it's about half the depicted height. Finally, the OEM fitment "screw" is square headed… this rifle was "bubba'd" a bit w/ a setscrew (& a the tapped hole on the offside of the OEM location (seen in the last image)). 

… the sight, proper…
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and the breech area…
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More avail., if interested.

Richard

frnkeore wrote on Jul 7^th, 2012 at 2:38pm:


Thank you… and yes, it's a "newmade" diopter. ASFAIK, the sights were stored by the owners separate from the rifle (pre-WW-II laws ??) so few are found w/ the original sights as post WW-II regulations required the German population to turn in ALL firearms to the occupying forces, so the two "parted company" at that time.

Quote:


Here it's not a matter of too long. rather the "stem" isn't machined square… right up to the diopter base, slight radius remains, needing removal to sit flush. FWIW, on my KK Haenels, the stem is shorter so the stems do need shortening as I'm not willing to "modify" the stock (to fit the stem of the non-OEM sight).

Quote:


On the KK rifles w/ single trigger, yes. On the Olympias, with its' DST, that screw can adjust the front trigger (its' unset pull weight) but w/ the DST, it's not really necessary. 

HTH
Richard