Bsa Mercury "S" .177 in walnut

[Gareth W-B]

No longer looking as have now found one :p. This is still an interesting thread to read however, and for those of you who have been following this, please read post #26 for the "happy ever after" ending ;).


What chance of finding a BSA Mercury "S" (chequered and walnut stock) in.177 in V.G.C., and how much do you think one would/should cost? Recently sold both my Superstars (£175 ea), my RB-2 "as rare as hens teeth" carbine Airsporter (£175) and standard beech .22 Mercury (£65) to raise a few quid in readiness for the new baby my wife is having later this year (:D). But I've also sold a load of fishing gear too, so I can now afford one more collectable yet useable rifle, and really fancy one of the aforementioned. All help, info, thoughts and views will be greatly appreciated. ATB :): Gareth W-B.

[Sam Vimes]

You got my hopes up there Gareth, I thought you were selling one for a few lovely seconds!:D

[lance]

hi gareth

the mercury s is much harder to find than the airsporter s , even more so in
.177 i would say £175 for a nice example

see you soon
lance:)

[Gareth W-B]

hi gareth

the mercury s is much harder to find than the airsporter s , even more so in
.177. I would say £175 for a nice example.
Cheers Lance, thats what I thought too, as that seems the market price for most top range collectable BSA springers (notwithstanding centenary specials) ... So, anybody got a Mercury "S" .177 I can buy please :) ?

[Chrisaa]

Gareth

Sending E'mail -
Chris

[Gareth W-B]

Thanks Chris, that sounds fantastic and yes please, I will take it :D. I know you gave me your addy when I bought my .22 MkI Superstar off you (sadly now sold for baby stuff :(), but as that was a fair while ago now, I have since lost it so please do p-m me it again and I'll post payment first thing in the morning. To the rest who may read this, cheers but am now sorted thanks to Good Guy Chrisaa (a really TOP bloke to deal with ;)). ATB all: Gareth W-B

[exmoor beast]

Thanks Chris, that sounds fantastic and yes please, I will take it :D. I know you gave me your addy when I bought my .22 MkI Superstar off you (sadly now sold for baby stuff :(), but as that was a fair while ago now, I have since lost it so please do p-m me it again and I'll post payment first thing in the morning. To the rest who may read this, cheers but am now sorted thanks to Good Guy Chrisaa (a really TOP bloke to deal with ;)). ATB all: Gareth W-B

I think I own that superstar now! It went to a good home, don't worry.:cool:

[Gareth W-B]

I think I own that superstar now! It went to a good home, don't worry. :cool:
If you bought it from good old Punchsteve, yep its my old one. Beaut isn't it ;). Hope you've still got the original printed box that it came in however, as given time, I reckon that'll end up being more valuable than the actual rifle :eek:. Thanks for letting me know its in good hands though mate, as its always nice to keep track of where past favourites end up (usually with Paddy SP :D). ATB: G.W-B.

[FORTUITOUS KENNETH]

I've just done a refurb on a Mercury S. Resized spring guides, top hat etc. Internal polish, Thinly lubed with graphite grease. Nice as any springer I've shot including venoms. I also intend to Shorten the piston head to give more swept volume (less recoil).

Also just finished a MK I tonight. Same job (done the piston on this one) but front end of cylinder lubed with teflon grease. First impressions are favourable.

[BTDT]

If I may be permitted to hijack Gareth's thread, does anyone remember and know what became of the Mercury Challenger?

I reviewed the Challenger in 1985, roughly a year after John Parker reviewed the standard Mercury. The challenger had a nice West German made stock, a bolt rather than a pin for the breech block, and a raised and buffered scope rail.

The Challenger had much less discharge movement than the standard Mercury, which may have contributed to its accuracy, which was head and shoulders above that of previous versions, the group sizes being roughly half the diameter. :eek:

The Challenger handled well, looked great - and I would think an early example would be very collectable today.

[Gareth W-B]

If I may be permitted to hijack Gareth's thread .....
You certainly may, am glad for you to do so, as that is what this section is for: giving and gleaning information on collectables ;). To be honest, I'd never heard of the Mercury Challenger, so any information will not only be of interest to BTDT, but also to me, and I would imagine many others who frequent this section too -- especially if you have any pictures to post :).

[jjjjjj]

Hi
I have just got hold of a mercury challenger after a long search for one, i had one in the late 80s when they came out in 177 and the one i have now is 177 its in a sorry state but working on it at the moment to bring it back to life, one rifle i should of kept, once this one is done i will keep it, i think it is a better rifle than the mercury s in looks and the way it shoots, would like to hear from anyone else with a challenger, but all mercurys make good hunting rifles and are very easy to work on , get them doing between 10 and 11 ft lbs they can be very smooth to shoot i have had a few mercurys and most run at 10 1/2 ft lbs .
jjjjjj

[FORTUITOUS KENNETH]

You got my hopes up there Gareth, I thought you were selling one for a few lovely seconds!:D

Well the Hudsonian Institute liked my first go at the Merc S(as you know). The attempt at the MK I is as good, if not better, smoother, fast, and most "whumpsome". Hoping to get to Parc Tomorrow to put it over the chrony. Definitely up there Saturday morning (you listening sossidge fingers? You'll defo like this one). The other may be present as well if the new cocking lever arrives in time.:)

[Paddy_SP]

I've been looking (unsuccessfully) for a Mercury Challenger for some time now...:(

[BTDT]

I've been looking (unsuccessfully) for a Mercury Challenger for some time now...:(

Keep looking, Paddy - it's worth the effort. :)

I achieved better accuracy at twenty yards outdoors with the Challenger than John had at ten metres indoors with the Mk.3 Mercury (both bench rested).

[I. J.]

According to my readings (yes BTDT - I can read :p ) of the Blue Book Of Airguns the Mercury Challenger was produced from 1983-97 while Knibbs has it as 1985-86 (in his serial numbers list). It was advertised in 1986 at £99.50 rrrp.
Didn't they also produce it in .25 cal? :rolleyes:

ATB
Ian :)

[BTDT]

According to my readings (yes BTDT - I can read :p ) of the Blue Book Of Airguns the Mercury Challenger was produced from 1983-97 while Knibbs has it as 1985-86 (in his serial numbers list). It was advertised in 1986 at £99.50 rrrp.
Didn't they also produce it in .25 cal? :rolleyes:

ATB
Ian :)

It was introduced in 1985. Page 10, SAR, December 1985 if you want to see the advert, which starts "This superb new air rifle..." :)

Glad those adult literacy classes paid off. :p

[I. J.]

I much preferred Air Gun World :p with its test of the Challenger (AGW Annual, 1986, page 48). :D

ATB
Ian :D

[BTDT]

If anyone does manage to get hold of a Challenger I'd be interested to learn whether and how if differs from the standard Mercury internally. The recoil was very low and I thought that may be due to the buffered piston head or perhaps a lightweight piston but, sadly, BSA would not allow me to strip the rifle to take a peek inside. :(

[draftsmann]

I have exactly that Mercury S - 0.177, walnut, and best of all, converted by John Bowkett. Unfortunately, I've had it from new for over 20 years, and I'll never part with it.

Good luck in finding one - they are very nice.

Adrian

[Gareth W-B]

I have exactly that Mercury S - 0.177, walnut, and best of all, converted by John Bowkett. Unfortunately, I've had it from new for over 20 years, and I'll never part with it.

Good luck in finding one - they are very nice.

Adrian

Ahh-haa! They sure are, see post number five above as the power of the BBS (and this thread :p) has found me one via good guy Chrisaa. Therefore I too am now a member of the walnut BSA Mercury "S" .177 club (or at least I will be when it arrives :D :D :D). Cheers for reminding me what a sound purchase I've just made however, as this is a rifle I intend to keep ;) ... ATB: Gareth W-B.

[Punchsteve]

If you bought it from good old Punchsteve, yep its my old one. Beaut isn't it ;). Hope you've still got the original printed box that it came in however, as given time, I reckon that'll end up being more valuable than the actual rifle :eek:. Thanks for letting me know its in good hands though mate, as its always nice to keep track of where past favourites end up (usually with Paddy SP :D). ATB: G.W-B.

It was indeed the lovely example I bought from you Gareth, IIRC I almost had to disguise it as diy gear (I suggested a giant tube of Mastic) to avoid suspicion from his wife. ;) ;)

Edit: While we're on the subject, I too would give my right wotsit to own a Walnut Mercury S if I could afford it, which I can't ;) So best of luck in your search Gareth.

[exmoor beast]

It was indeed the lovely example I bought from you Gareth, IIRC I almost had to disguise it as diy gear (I suggested a giant tube of Mastic) to avoid suspicion from his wife. ;) ;)

Edit: While we're on the subject, I too would give my right wotsit to own a Walnut Mercury S (if I could afford it) ;)

Keep your voice down! Its under my mates bed at the moment....:D

[kevmar]

They have a bolt up adjustable breech,
my .25 challenger was a great Rifle.

[scgevans]

I could have bought one from a old guys collection a few years ago - there was a Challenger (can't remember the cailbre - .177 I think), std 635 magnum .25 and a deluxe 635 magnum .25 - all complete mint boxed sets - I bought the 635 deluxe - but was to afraid to mark it when using and for my target shooting .25 was a bit limited in range (interesting drop at 50 yds when set on a 25 yard zero - so sold it on.
Now I have seen the light and should have had the Challenger :eek: :eek:
Stu

[Gareth W-B]

As it says above, arrived this morning and is absolutely lovely ;). Stock looks as if its American walnut (very dark red-ish brown graining), and metal work is ni-on perfect (95%) and the few (and I do mean few) dinks in the stock just give it character :cool:. Very pleased with this deal, and with Good Guy Chrisaa, but knew exactly what to expect as have dealt with him before. Therefore, I've no quibbles whatsoever in recommending a deal with Chris to any other BBS member (he really is a top chap :)). ATB all: Gareth W-B.

[air revolution]

hi all out there,i've got a .25 mercury challenger in fine condition-98% of original condition fitted with a period silencer at time of purchase.
the sale price is- £250.00p.or i will swap the barrel for a mercury.22 or .177,cosmetics not important as long as the gun is fully functional. at last roll your own challenger.
regards nik

[joffy]

ive an airsporter s in .177 that i bought from streathem armoury in the 80's that i'd never part with :D

[I. J.]

My 'S' (mark 1) collection (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v485/Airsniper/?action=view&current=BSA_S.jpg). Airsporters and Mercurys. I.M.O. one of the best rifles every produced by BSA. ;)

ATB
Ian :)

[Gareth W-B]

hi all out there,i've got a .25 mercury challenger in fine condition-98% of original condition fitted with a period silencer at time of purchase.
the sale price is- £250.00p.or i will swap the barrel for a mercury.22 or .177,cosmetics not important as long as the gun is fully functional. at last roll your own challenger.
regards nik
Ahh, my old thread back again like a dearly loved long lost friend :D. I have a feeling daveuk is after something like this, si I'll e-mail him for you. He is in Iraq at the moment but gets on line from time to time and will be back by Christmas ... and if he wants it but can't get the £££ to you within your time scale I'll stump up for it and sort the particulars with Dave as and when ;). Atb: Gareth W-B.

[daveuk]

Hiya Nik,
can you confirm that the rifle is complete as per its original form? i only ask as in one of your previous posts you said it had been rebarrelled to .22

if you would be willing to post this rifle (in .25 form) for the 250.00 then i will take it, pending the photographs. i've pm'd you with my email address.

Many many thanks to you Gareth, both for the heads up and for the VERY kind offer. i will see how Nik would like payment, then i may take you up on the offer. thanks again buddy! :)

[ikarma70]

im going to start calling dave the ''ironmonger'' :D

[daveuk]

Ha Ha, to be honest i've been on the lookout for a Cobra Strike or a 635 magnum for a while. if this one is as nice as the price suggests then it should be a beauty. i have a few guns that i need to sell too, but i wont get chance to sell them til i'm home more often next year. just on lookout for a venom HW35, a jackal 'combat' and a sharp victory now....(hope none of them come along too soon, i've spent too much lately. although having said that, i would like a venom HW35, and i could always sell an organ....)

[I. J.]

i would like a venom HW35, and i could always sell an organ....)

Target Sports had one in a few weeks ago. Now maybe ...... :rolleyes:

ATB
Ian :)

[daveuk]

Target Sports had one in a few weeks ago. Now maybe ...... :rolleyes:

ATB
Ian :)

i've actually got a day off tomorrow :eek: so it looks like Target will be getting a call in the morning. :) i could have trouble sleeping tonight..........

[daveuk]

Unfortunately the venom HW35 was sold about a month ago. could be a while before i see another but like i said, i SHOULD be watching the pennies....

[Grayling]

No longer looking as have now found one :p. This is still an interesting thread to read however, and for those of you who have been following this, please read post #26 for the "happy ever after" ending ;).


What chance of finding a BSA Mercury "S" (chequered and walnut stock) in.177 in V.G.C., and how much do you think one would/should cost?


Any chance of a few piccies of your latest acquisition Gareth, we are interested you know :).

[Gareth W-B]

Any chance of a few piccies of your latest acquisition Gareth, we are interested you know :).
Hi Grayling,

Blimey, the edit date of the above quote was last February :eek: ... Have had three lovely Mercury-S .177 rifles since then, one in a deep ruby-red American walnut, one in a very light British blonde walnut, and one in the mid-brown Turkish tan walnut that BSA favoured so much. Have since moved all three on however, along with the three Airsporter-S .22 rifles which I acquired to match/complement them. Sold them on, as I just couldn't decide which pair to keep, and so went for a clean sweep and have settled for a traditional light beech standard vgc Mercury MkII (1977 model) in .177, and a similar matching light beech near-mint Airsporter MkV (1973 model) in .22 for my collection instead :D ... And guess what? Following a computer glitch I have no photos of any of them any more, although BBS member Troubledshooter may still have a couple of copies as I sent him some at that time that he may still have stored. Atb: Gareth.

[Grayling]

Hi Grayling,

Blimey, the edit date of the above quote was last February :eek: ... Have had three lovely Mercury-S .177 rifles since then, one in a deep ruby-red American walnut, one in a very light British blonde walnut, and one in the mid-brown Turkish tan walnut that BSA favoured so much. Have since moved all three on however, along with the three Airsporter-S .22 rifles which I acquired to match/complement them. Sold them on, as I just couldn't decide which pair to keep, and so went for a clean sweep and have settled for a traditional light beech standard vgc Mercury MkII (1977 model) in .177, and a similar matching light beech near-mint Airsporter MkV (1973 model) in .22 for my collection instead :D ... And guess what? Following a computer glitch I have no photos of any of them any more, although BBS member Troubledshooter may still have a couple of copies as I sent him some at that time that he may still have stored. Atb: Gareth.

Sad that Gareth :(, my good buddy DaveUK as got me into the older air rifles. Bearing in mind I am vintage myself and most of my rifles fall into the same catergory, them being new when I first bought them. I have never even seen either of those rifles in the flesh so to speak, the Mercury-S or the Airsporter-S. My only reference being old air gun mags. I hope to rectify this in the near future. I think I'll be a more frequent visitor on this section from now on and it's all that young whippersnappers fault DaveUK :). Cheers Gareth :)

[stuart]

hi does anybody know how many mercury s bsa sold as ive been looking for one for what seems years and have never seen one for sale yet but im still looking

[Gareth W-B]

hi does anybody know how many mercury s bsa sold as ive been looking for one for what seems years and have never seen one for sale yet but im still looking
Hi Stuart, there have been three Mercury-S .177 rifles and a couple in .22 for sale on here in the last eight months for sure so they do come up and are out there ;). Try posting a WANTED advert in this section. I did and ended up with three as stated above :p: G.W-B.