Originally Posted by jonnyone
Reply With QuoteI remember seeing a new HW35 Export for the first time in the late seventies when I couldn't afford to buy one for myself. Compared to many of its contemporary offerings, the Export with its sometimes beautiful walnut stock and the drain pipe barrel certainly made a lasting impression on me as it represented the pinnacle of available legal hunting rifles and was used in the press at the time by the late John Darling.
I have owned many examples of HW's over the years following, but only recently, about three year ago, acquired a .22 Export sporting a well marked stock and fine bluing. The gun was born in the late seventies and still shoots perfectly following a service. I own a lot of springers. However, my favourite recoiling gun to shoot at present is most definitely this particular example of the German airgun makers art. It is not the quietest action in the world, but blimey it is accurate with its preferred diet of Hobbys in combination with the infamous Rekord tirgger unit and the required light hold. There is definitely something special about shooting such an icon, and it is easy to understand why so many experienced shooters hold the gun in such high regard. Most if not all of these guns will still be working as well as they do now in another century.
Another gun that I am particularly fond of is the Feinwerkbau Sport. This was one of the first "full powered" springers that became available and was more than capable of meeting the legal limits that were so important to us all of those years ago. In addition to power, the gun was also sleek, light and, apart from the questionable trigger, was and is a joy to shoot. I also own an example of this gun (.177 124) still and enjoy shooting the gun as it punishes me mercilessly if I do not follow through properly regarding trigger technique. I reckon the Dave Welham "Mastersport" custom version could be considered as highly desirable and easily on a parr with the best from the Venom stable.
For some reason, I also always fancied the Original 34S but never got round to buying one.
Dont you just love old spring powered "proper" guns?
Andy
