Theoben SLR88 Imperator and a couple of others... .

[Shed tuner]

whats the current value for a mint not a mark SLR88 Imperator FT pre he worth ?

.177 ? A grand +

[guy]

Yea about a grand, the last one sold on here for 900

[splosh!]

Yea about a grand, the last one sold on here for 900

thanks guy, forgot to say its got the tasco 6-24x40 and lots of spare turret caps with different increments on and the box .

[splosh!]

thanks guy, forgot to say its got the tasco 6-24x40 and lots of spare turret caps with different increments on and the box .

its identical to yours in top pic

[Muskett]

The more common Tasco are with the rangefinding reticules. They were popular and great scopes. I prefer the standard plex which are rarer, and the 4-16is ample on the SLR88. The FT then the higher mag is the one to have.
Both suit the SLR88 for period and usage. A B&L and Leupold from that time too. Prestige rifle demands it in my book.
Lots of those Tascos were used hard. They are not indestructible, so condition is everything. Mint change hands for well over £120, even used ones can, so grab them while you can.

Will a SLR 88 shoot better than a 98? Probably not enough in it to make any practical difference. Where the SLR88 wins is the effort and time lavished on every one. The design and overall build quality. Theoben had to make some design changes and keep the manufacturing costs under control from then on in. It barely shows,, and for me the design just isn't as nice.

Anyhow, exceptional examples are holding and to my mind rightly demand a premium price. All of them. For me any of the SLR88's just sum up that make, that period in airgun history, and just fabulousness. Doesn't make them shoot better, though they shoot well enough. Well worth the space in any serious collection.
The FT was made in fewer numbers. Rare beasts. However, being single loader, with a gap, aren't so pretty. They also miss the magazine thing that made the SLR so innovative. Those who collect FT rifles will want one, and be hard pushed to find one at all.
£900 to £1,200 isn't robbing anyone for SLR88 or FT of that era. Such rarity, quality, and good looks deserve that premium. All the Theobens are worth finding just to enjoy them for what they were.

[Shed tuner]

Will a SLR 88 shoot better than a 98? Probably not enough in it to make any practical difference. Where the SLR88 wins is the effort and time lavished on every one.

Every 88 I've ever shot has a noticeably nicer firing cycle than every 98 I've ever shot...

[slug-gun]

The more common Tasco are with the rangefinding reticules. They were popular and great scopes. I prefer the standard plex which are rarer, and the 4-16is ample on the SLR88. The FT then the higher mag is the one to have.
Both suit the SLR88 for period and usage. A B&L and Leupold from that time too. Prestige rifle demands it in my book.
Lots of those Tascos were used hard. They are not indestructible, so condition is everything. Mint change hands for well over £120, even used ones can, so grab them while you can.

Will a SLR 88 shoot better than a 98? Probably not enough in it to make any practical difference. Where the SLR88 wins is the effort and time lavished on every one. The design and overall build quality. Theoben had to make some design changes and keep the manufacturing costs under control from then on in. It barely shows,, and for me the design just isn't as nice.

Anyhow, exceptional examples are holding and to my mind rightly demand a premium price. All of them. For me any of the SLR88's just sum up that make, that period in airgun history, and just fabulousness. Doesn't make them shoot better, though they shoot well enough. Well worth the space in any serious collection.
The FT was made in fewer numbers. Rare beasts. However, being single loader, with a gap, aren't so pretty. They also miss the magazine thing that made the SLR so innovative. Those who collect FT rifles will want one, and be hard pushed to find one at all.
£900 to £1,200 isn't robbing anyone for SLR88 or FT of that era. Such rarity, quality, and good looks deserve that premium. All the Theobens are worth finding just to enjoy them for what they were.

Originally the SLR88 FT came with a slotted plastic/rubber insert which fitted into the breech, into which a pellet could be placed, before being probed into the barrel. The downside of this system was that the pellet could slide backwards from the insert and end up in the breech area, where the pellet would be squashed by the sliding beech being closed upon firing.

The only remedy to recover the 'lost' pellet was to prise out the plastic insert, which often resulted in their destruction! This is why some FT's may have an 'open' breech. When the SLR98 came along a .177 magazine was briefly available for it - which fits the '88' ! Extremely rare item though.

When I took my SLR 88 FT to Ben Taylor to have an errant pellet removed from the breech he told me that 50 SLR 88 FT's had been made, but only the earlier versions with the expensive 'Gold Medal' trigger (I think it was called?).
Some of the also were Left hand rifles, which did not have the full on FT stock, but used the Custom Stock CS800, without a hamster. I don't believe one person has 27 - I have seen too many with individual owners.

[topgun35]

Anybody know how many ultra carbines were made?

[splosh!]

Originally the SLR88 FT came with a slotted plastic/rubber insert which fitted into the breech, into which a pellet could be placed, before being probed into the barrel. The downside of this system was that the pellet could slide backwards from the insert and end up in the breech area, where the pellet would be squashed by the sliding beech being closed upon firing.

The only remedy to recover the 'lost' pellet was to prise out the plastic insert, which often resulted in their destruction! This is why some FT's may have an 'open' breech. When the SLR98 came along a .177 magazine was briefly available for it - which fits the '88' ! Extremely rare item though.

When I took my SLR 88 FT to Ben Taylor to have an errant pellet removed from the breech he told me that 50 SLR 88 FT's had been made, but only the earlier versions with the expensive 'Gold Medal' trigger (I think it was called?).
Some of the also were Left hand rifles, which did not have the full on FT stock, but used the Custom Stock CS800, without a hamster. I don't believe one person has 27 - I have seen too many with individual owners.

sorry mate the 27 member was meant to be members on hear ie 27 made all owned by members on bbs, and not owned by I member, in fact I read it in the wanted section . hope that makes sense. but wow 50 made maybe its 27 non HE and the 50 includes the HE ?

[WILBA]

Originally the SLR88 FT came with a slotted plastic/rubber insert which fitted into the breech, into which a pellet could be placed, before being probed into the barrel. The downside of this system was that the pellet could slide backwards from the insert and end up in the breech area, where the pellet would be squashed by the sliding beech being closed upon firing.

The only remedy to recover the 'lost' pellet was to prise out the plastic insert, which often resulted in their destruction! This is why some FT's may have an 'open' breech. When the SLR98 came along a .177 magazine was briefly available for it - which fits the '88' ! Extremely rare item though.

When I took my SLR 88 FT to Ben Taylor to have an errant pellet removed from the breech he told me that 50 SLR 88 FT's had been made, but only the earlier versions with the expensive 'Gold Medal' trigger (I think it was called?).
Some of the also were Left hand rifles, which did not have the full on FT stock, but used the Custom Stock CS800, without a hamster. I don't believe one person has 27 - I have seen too many with individual owners.

i bought a 3D printed single shot tray for my slr88. works perfect and seals the back end to stop pellets dropping back in to the cylinder. much better than the original theoben single shot tray by far. and better for shooting down the range with it. should fit the FT;s to id have thought.

[JerryD]

Yea about a grand, the last one sold on here for 900

Sold my FT Imperator HE last year for 1100: lovely gun with a beautiful striped stock, but it was sitting there doing nothing. Too much of a "high days and holidays" gun.

https://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/view/23593925

Apologies for cruddy photos, but I just have the memories now






.

[GSMN1]

Sold my FT Imperator HE last year for 1100: lovely gun with a beautiful striped stock, but it was sitting there doing nothing. Too much of a "high days and holidays" gun.

https://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/view/23593925

Apologies for cruddy photos, but I just have the memories now






.

If this link works Jerry, here is a newer photo from the proud new owner.
Spoke to Ben T sorted the slightly sticky underlever. Shooting like a dream.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BsLdb2hBISh/

[anthony]

If this link works Jerry, here is a newer photo from the proud new owner.
Spoke to Ben T sorted the slightly sticky underlever. Shooting like a dream.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BsLdb2hBISh/

great gun mate

[JerryD]

If this link works Jerry, here is a newer photo from the proud new owner.
Spoke to Ben T sorted the slightly sticky underlever. Shooting like a dream.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BsLdb2hBISh/

Your photo makes it look a lot sexier than mine did! Lovely gun, just a bit too much of a showpiece for me: glad you're still enjoying it

[GSMN1]

Your photo makes it look a lot sexier than mine did! Lovely gun, just a bit too much of a showpiece for me: glad you're still enjoying it

Haha. Jerry, she is a sexy beast. No pretence. Pure thoroughbred airgun Harlet.