Weatherby Mark V
| Weatherby Mark V | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Type | bolt-action rifle |
| Place of origin |
 United States
|
| Production history | |
| Designer | Roy Weatherby, Fred Jennie |
| Designed | 1955 |
| Manufacturer | Weatherby, Inc |
| Produced | 1957 |
| Variants | Weatherby Magnum, Non-Magnum, and Varmintmaster* Mark V action variants. Models produced include Accumark, Accumark Pistol*, Alaskan*, Center Fire Pistol*, Classicmark*, Compact Firing Platform (CFP)* Crown Custom*, Dangerous Game Rifle (DGR)*, Dangerous Game Rifle Custom, Deluxe, Euromark*, Euromark Custom, Europa*, Eurosport*, Fibermark, Lazermark, Outfitter Custom, Royal Ultramark Custom, Safari Custom, Safari Grade*, Silhouette Pistol*, Special Varmint Rifle*, Sporter, Stainless*, Stainless Fluted*, Stainless Laminate Sporter*, Super Big Gamemaster*, Super Predator Master*, Super Varmintmaster*, Synthetic, Threat Response Rifle (TRR), Threat Response Rifle Custom, Threat Response Rifle Sub MOA, Ultra Lightweight, Ultramark, Varmintmaster* and Weathermark* |
| Specifications | |
| Cartridge |
|
| Action | Cock-upon-open bolt action rifle |
| Feed system | 2- to 5-round internal box magazine (depending on caliber) |
| Sights |
Drilled and tapped for scope mounts. Iron sights included on some models. |
Drilled and tapped for scope mounts. Iron sights included on some models.
The Weatherby Mark V is a centerfire, bolt-action rifle manufactured by Weatherby of Paso Robles, California. The rifle was introduced in 1957 by Weatherby and was designed to safely contain the high pressures associated with the Weatherby line of high performance cartridges. It is the flagship rifle of the Weatherby line of firearms.
The Weatherby Mark V rifles are considered prestigious or luxury firearms by many. This is due in part to Roy Weatherby who presented the rifles to royalty, politicians, gun writers and actors including Prince Abdorreza Pahlavi of Iran, Generals James Doolittle (USAF) and Chuck Yeager (USAF), Jack O'Connor, Warren Page, Elgin Gates and Lorne Greene and was able to use this fact as a marketing tool.
Ever since Roy Weatherby began manufacturing rifles he had to rely on a third party to provide the actions for his rifles. Beginning in 1949 Weatherby began building his rifles around the FN Belgian Mauser action. In 1955 Schultz & Larson actions were added to the mix while adding the Mathieu left handed action to his rifle action line up. With the addition of the large capacity .378 Weatherby Magnum a new action type was warranted so the Brevex Magnum Mauser action was added. A little later the FN Sako Mauser actions were added to action types used by Weatherby to build his rifles.
Roy Weatherby had been disappointed by the length of time that was taken discussing and negotiating before coming to an agreement with his European manufacturing partners. With five European companies supplying actions, the frequent trips made to Europe left him little time to run the day-to-day business operations in South Gate, California.
Roy Weatherby had found the Mauser-type wanting due to the case head not being completely enclosed and supported within the breech. While these action types could easily withstand a high pressure of about 70,000 C.U.P, he felt that one which would have the capability of handling 200,000 C.U.P. would fare better with the Weatherby line of cartridges. He had been aware that many handloaders were overloading their cartridges seeking higher performance, which was resulting in blown primers and ruptured caseheads. This in turn would lead to hot gases making their way through the bolt and into the shooter's face and eyes and causing injuries to his customers.
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Wikipedia