Bsf - Bavarian Air-rifles

[BTDT]

http://www.airgunforum.net/agf/index.php?showtopic=1527

Excellent work. Thanks for that.

The B55 is the most archetypal-looking break-barrel in existence. It's the break-barrel's break-barrel - if you could only put one break-barrel springer in an illustrated encyclopedia, it or the S70 would be the one to place.

Never thought about that but, on reflection, I think you're right.

Your comments on the recoil of the 55 ring a bell - I remember that mine was quite 'lively', which is probably why I sold it but kept the sweeter-shooting if lower power HW50. I wonder how the 55 might respond to a synthetic piston head and less spring because, if you could achieve reasonable power (say, close to 11fpe) and tame the discharge movement, it would be a lovely little rifle to shoot.

[gedfinn 2]

Hi all, Yes I have one BSF 54 , Bought it from a gunshop (A number of years ago! ) It came with 2 more guns, The owner said he had never seen one before, As regards "Power" in the 60-70,s the top guns were all pump ups, Sheridan, Crossman, Setra, And SHARP !, Some other high powered springers were around too, I still have one, Original 35 S, big gun, (This one had the Ether Injection unit fitted) Ala, Barracuda, ( No it wasn,t on when I got it) I have shot the break barrel BSF,s but they are too light & Jumpy ( Just my opinion) The 3 band pressing on the BSF is identical to my Haenals, ? 302-303, Cheers PS I have an Airsporter Stutzen coming ! Tap loader V, Nice, cheers again

[I. J.]

Perhaps someone at BSF pre-empted your thoughts BTDT. The (infamous) model 65 I have has the power restriction symbol 'F in a pentagon' on the side so it was originally produced as a low powered (7j) version. During its lifetime someone has fitted a stronger spring to raise the power lovel.

The BSF 55/60/70 are quite lively to shoot and require a loose hold to gain the best from them, similar in style to the standard 'slow action' of the 'Sport. Interesting enough the fitting of a shorter, stronger (?) Macarri spring to a 'Sport quicked the action and altered the best holding stance.

ATB
Ian

[lionel]

If I'm not mistaken, there is a BSF sitting on the second hand rack in Dowlings. I don't know what model it was, but it seemed in very good nick.

Lionel

[BSFNUT]

[QUOTE=BTDT;1471788]Excellent work. Thanks for that.




Jim, coming from you that is a real compliment thanks.

Just to continue the debate and this excellent thread, I think that the BSF also started the movement towards using .177 for vermin control.I started using this calibre in late 1977 after the early articles in AGW by Eddie Barber buying a BSF B55 std and had MAG fit it with an 'Export' spring which had an unusual purple hue to the tempering. I was using a .22 BSA Airsporter before that which was the best model available so I was told . Bear in mind that airguns were not actively promoted much by gunsmiths and their attitude was that you were looked down upon ( and this did not change for decades, and is still to be found today in certain shops ) many sports shops sold airguns but only the UK models for example a BSA Mercury was about £30 when an Original 50 or HW35 was double that.

This was when the Webley MK3 could still be found in the shops ( although production finished in 1975 , the Diana G77 and 79 and BSA Airsporter and Mercury were the best of British.

Few shops had the German HW, Originals, East German Haenals or BSF's.

Anyway, back to the B55, It had the power in .177 that the BSA 's, Dianas and Webleys of the time did not .

Beeman went on to enthusiastically support and promote .177 particularly with the FWB Sport and subsequently HW80 /R1 (although he later changed to .20) with his Airgun catalogues

Pre AGW, I used to read Guns Review and the author of 'airgun scene' Dennis Commins also promoted .177 (though he was a Target shooter )and DR Hughes had started to import and promote through the magazines small ads column BSF, HW and Original and offered new lubricants and decent German ammo like H&N to get the best out of these guns.

[jonnyone]

Excellent work. Thanks for that.




Never thought about that but, on reflection, I think you're right.

Your comments on the recoil of the 55 ring a bell - I remember that mine was quite 'lively', which is probably why I sold it but kept the sweeter-shooting if lower power HW50. I wonder how the 55 might respond to a synthetic piston head and less spring because, if you could achieve reasonable power (say, close to 11fpe) and tame the discharge movement, it would be a lovely little rifle to shoot.

Evening Jim,
Thats another future project of mine- so I will keep you posted!

Dave

[BTDT]

Evening Jim,
Thats another future project of mine- so I will keep you posted!

Dave

Hi Dave,

I think a few people will be interested if a synthetic or PTFE head, a less stressed mainspring and a bit of TLC make the BSF 55 sweeter to shoot.

Nice to know someone is carrying on the good work.

Jim

[draftsmann]

Yep, I have a '54 in my collection. I agree that this model is a real munter.

Adrian

[BSFNUT]

Hi Dave,

I think a few people will be interested if a synthetic or PTFE head, a less stressed mainspring and a bit of TLC make the BSF 55 sweeter to shoot.

Nice to know someone is carrying on the good work.

Jim

The Venom Bavaria has synthetic piston and breech seal installed, I have never shot one to be able to comment on improved characteristics, I would be interested in a PTFE conversion it was .22 only though.

Jim

Whatever happened to 'David Jenkins' from WBPS who did conversions on the Anschutz 335 (and Mauradermax) are WBPS still trading ? I have not seen any mention of them for years.

[BTDT]

The Venom Bavaria has synthetic piston and breech seal installed, I have never shot one to be able to comment on improved characteristics, I would be interested in a PTFE conversion it was .22 only though.

Jim

Whatever happened to 'David Jenkins' from WBPS who did conversions on the Anschutz 335 (and Mauradermax) are WBPS still trading ? I have not seen any mention of them for years.

WBPS ceased trading around 1988/9 I believe. I expect David Jenkins confined his work to pistols afterwards. I have nave not seen any of the WBPS lads since.

The Venom Bavaria sounds interesting, and it would be helpful if any BBS members who own one could tell us anything about its shooting characteristics.

[draftsmann]

Jim;

Aside from BSFs your mention of Original 45s earlier in the thread reminded me of the article you wrote about tuning and refurbing your own. Do you still have that rifle?

Adrian

[BTDT]

Jim;

Aside from BSFs your mention of Original 45s earlier in the thread reminded me of the article you wrote about tuning and refurbing your own. Do you still have that rifle?

Adrian

Hi Adrian,

Sadly, no. A friend took a real shine to it and, because I had too many air rifles and the 45 was too much of a looker to risk subjecting it to the rough and tumble hunting I was doing at the time, I sold it to him. It is his pride and joy to this day.

I kept just one .177" (HW77) and one .22" (HW50) and have them both still.

[jonnyone]

WBPS ceased trading around 1988/9 I believe. I expect David Jenkins confined his work to pistols afterwards. I have nave not seen any of the WBPS lads since.

The Venom Bavaria sounds interesting, and it would be helpful if any BBS members who own one could tell us anything about its shooting characteristics.

I wouldnt hold your breath waiting for some feedback on the Venom Bavaria Jim. I'm sure it was kevin.ronnie that told me that sales of it by Venom barely got into double figures (I think he said between 11-25). Obviously they MUST be out there somewhere- unless they've all gone across the pond?

I have two fwbs, and an anschutz in bits and an RWS 45 to fall back onto to re-spring and guide. After this I am determined that sometime in 2007- the '55will get the ptfe treatment. Hsing-ee will probably get there before me though! Good luck with it Hsing-ee- and let us know how you get on.

Cheers,
Dave

PS I hope I get proved wrong and someone WILL post that they own and shoot a Venom Bavaria and even post some photos here!

[BTDT]

It would be a start if someone could tell us how the BSF piston washer is fitted! I can't remember for the life of me, but then I have probably not had a BSF apart since the late 1970s.

If the seal is held by a screw then it should be easy to get a PTFE head turned and attach it in the same way. If the seal is held by a rivet like the Original 45, I'd turn the rivet section off and drill/tap a central hole (actually, I'd have to get someone to do it for me because I don't have access to a lathe nowadays ).

I'm not at all convinced by the notion of turning the head of the piston down to enable a clip-on seal to be fitted.

[scirroco]

WBPS ceased trading around 1988/9 I believe. I expect David Jenkins confined his work to pistols afterwards. I have nave not seen any of the WBPS lads since.

The Venom Bavaria sounds interesting, and it would be helpful if any BBS members who own one could tell us anything about its shooting characteristics.

David jenkins is still around,
He shoots at stourport rifle and pistol club ,i see him a couple.of times a.month down there
Rgds scirroco