Webley, the brand name for shotguns and air rifles, will be relaunched today – exactly 12 months after it was bought from the receivers.
The Birmingham maker of guns – including pistols for General Custer – was bought by Airgunsport for #1 million last year after falling sales triggered the collapse of its Rubery-based operations.
Airgunsports, which is based in Willenhall, has now decided to relaunch its entire operations as Webley Ltd to capitalise on the firm's illustrious history, which included providing the British Army's service revolver.
The new company, which employs around 23 people in the UK, will take in the gun distribution business of Airgunsports and the manufacturing element of Webley & Scott.
Airgunsports shifted production of Webley air rifles to Turkey last year, where it also restarted production of shotguns. The company has now won significant extra orders and overseas sales.
Mike Hurney, executive chairman of Webley Ltd, said: "There was a 217-year history of Webley and the brand has a world-wide reputation. The guns made by Webley were used by General Custer and also in the failed assassination attempt on an American president.
"There was a huge history. People of my generation grew up with Webley. I remember my first shotgun was a Webley & Scott 700. The company has this fantastic history, and they were selling different products so we haven't cannibalised each other."
"They were selling spring powered air guns and we had pre charged pneumatic powered, so together we are better."
"Orders and enquiries from around the world have confirmed the value of the Webley name and the affection and respect that the shooting community has for the firm's 217-year history."
