Third Party Press

Walther Sportsmodell Reproduction Front Band

J

jsz

Senior Member
I have been working on a reproduction front band for the WSM. I do know there were two different size barrels, however I think this one is more common. The original front bands were stamped and drawn in one piece and then post pierced to accommodate the barrel and cleaning rod hole and then heat treated. For obvious reasons I do not have that capability to produce as was done by the manufacture.. So I will be building a band in two pieces and TIG the front piece to the band proper, not sure if I will heat treat, we will see.. We have built some press tooling to form the band and radiuses. A couple of photos of the initial mock up, still some smoothing needed to the press tooling, but were close.
1st photo, an original band
2nd photo, reproduction next to original
3rd, ditto
Jeff
 

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I made more progress on my dies for the WSM front band. I have also completed a mock up, very pleased. A few tooling marks, not sure if I will smooth the dies more, to be determined.
More photos of the progress.
Jeff
 

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Some more photos of the reproduction front band and shown mounted to a WSM rifle.
 

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Nicely done. I admire your skill, and your results.
With your capabilities, would you consider setting up similarly to manufacturer other types of lost items? Extractors, handguard retaining clips, bands, cleaning rods, firing pins, etc., etc? No single item repro will make you rich, probably, but if you had a catalog of many items, well, cha ching?
 
Working on a run of 5 front bands. These have been pressed, fitted, TIG, and start of metal finish. Will complete the metal finish, test fit and then off to bluing before they will be offered to the community.
Here is a couple photos, one showing the 5 with an original above the 5 and the other shows the tooling, blanks before formed and one assembled front band.
 

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I have completed five upper bands that I will make available.
Here are a few photos of the completed bands.
 

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Hello Nathanial, it certainly is. I was intending an initial run of 15 front bands, oil them and put them away. In reality I am sure a few will sell and the rest they will find after my death.
Thanks for the encouragement, I appreciate it.

Jeff
 
jsz said:
Hello Nathanial, it certainly is. I was intending an initial run of 15 front bands, oil them and put them away. In reality I am sure a few will sell and the rest they will find after my death.
Thanks for the encouragement, I appreciate it.

Jeff
Click to expand...
That's what my wife says every time I add a new product!

Send me a message with a price for 1 or 2 and I will put them up on my website for you.
 
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The band is acceptable for both the heavy barrel and the stepped barrels as found on the early and later series of WSM.
 
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