The Gamekeeper

[j0e_bl0ggs (deceased)]

A quite collectable PCP air rifle that I have in my stable.
The furniture is from an L1A1 which might tickle the military aficionados amongst you.




I have two barrels for this, a .22 and a .177. There was a .25 available and a .20 to special order.
It does suffer a poor designed valve but is a really accurate airgun. It groups well and a squizzers eye at 25 yards is easy!

It is probably worth circa £1k ($1600) and I even have the launch magazine (Airgun World - July 1989).

[gitano]

Now THAT'S an interesting weapon. I have always wondered about the valve mechanisms on airguns. I know nothing about them. I'm sure there are several designs. If you can, how about an explanation of how one or a couple of them work.
 
 Paul

[branxhunter]

Please don't tell me that is a Schmidt &Bender scope on an air rifle....

[j0e_bl0ggs (deceased)]

Certainly is...

[branxhunter]

Too cruel!

[j0e_bl0ggs (deceased)]

Do not understand 'cruel'.

[j0e_bl0ggs (deceased)]

It will be leaving for a new home on Sunday 12 Jan...

Classic Steyr Mannlicher 223 Rem on its way...

[22hornet]

Interesting air rifle you have there Joe. I would like to hear more about it.
 You are selling it?

[j0e_bl0ggs (deceased)]

It has been sold to finance the new Steyr 223.
History is a little vague reportedly 700 were made but truth is probably closer to 150 before the company folded. Although beautifully finished it caused the manufacturer many problems with returns. The one you see is by all accounts a MKII which never was officially released . It can be identified by the bolt handle i,e. having one!
I will have a chat with the new owner at the weekend and ask him if he would not mind writing the history about this weapon and company for me so that we can share with all.

[j0e_bl0ggs (deceased)]

Did a few scans this morning for those who might be interested;

First the 'manual'






Airgun World Magazine

[gitano]

Very interesting read! Especially from "way back" in '89. :)
 
 Paul

[22hornet]

Good post.

[j0e_bl0ggs (deceased)]

Deed is done!
Paul B. a nice fellow, he now owns 9 of these beasties!

Anyroad just to try and complete this thread with some further information.
Here are some pics!






Letter contents;

Dear Paul,
As Promised my letter.
COLCHESTER GAMEKEEPER (factual Info)
I was good friends with the 'AIRGUN WORLD'
writer EDDIE BARBER for many years until
his death in 1990.
He used to come to my home quite regularly.
On one occasion he came and was OVER
entusiastic about a 'FANTASITC TAKE_DOWN
RIFLE' that two mates of his had developed.
THE MATES WERE MARTIN NETTLETON & JOHN PAYNE
EDDIE thought that this new gun was
going to set the airgun world alight and
would be the only modern shooter that
anyone would want.
The advert I've enclosed is from the
magazine EDDIE almost ran for years
and he took the photo of his eldest son
Lee 'posing' at his car after
they had driven to an affluent part of
Essex (for effect!). I dont know how much
you know about 'gamekeeper' air rifles
but the main reason they did not sell
(or make) huge numbers was the valves/seals
were constantly unreliable and the two
unfortunate partners were losing the profits
on repairing under warranty,
I have heard that there are more effective
valves/seals used in a general rebuild these
days. You WILL KNOW MUCH MORE ABOUT
THESE THAN ME. BUT IF YOU CONTINUE YOUR
NEW CAREER OF DOING TALKS YOU COULD
ENLARGE THE PAGE TO SHOW AND STATE WHAT I
HAVE TOLD YOU - AS ABSOLUTE FACT



K A DAVISON

[j0e_bl0ggs (deceased)]

March 1991 Full page advert from AIRGUN WORLD




Serial 00009 order confirmation Jun '89




Serial 0009 Pre-Delivery Invoice Nov '89



Six months for delivery and note the 'surcharge' for the 'low serial number' being legged up is nowt new then!!!

[j0e_bl0ggs (deceased)]

Couple more articles, AIRGUN WORLD Feb 1990




oooops...missed the 'continued overleaf' Don't do multitasking very well - scanning and chompsin... walking n talking..

AIRGUN WORLD 2009 (20 years on...)

[j0e_bl0ggs (deceased)]

Lastly Paul B. brought a couple of gamekeepers from his collection to show me.
Here is another 'MKII' with a side cocking modification which would have gone into production if the company would not have 'folded'. Serial was 00133 which leads one to believe that the '700 were made' I quoted earlier could be a stretch - possibly less than 150 actually made.



Here endeth the lesson! I hope that some enjoy this little piece of history, I will now move on after parting with this rifle, no regrets.

[rockinbbar]

Way cool!

I enjoyed that! Thank you. :)

[Jorge in Oz]

Great thread.