Airsporter Mk1 'Purists' - look away now!

[Airsporterman]

Now I have my man cave sorted, (see thread in Non airgun section) my intention is to do some Airsporter 'project' work I have had simmering in my mind for a few years.

I have a Mk1 (Mk1 Airsporters are my favourite of the Airsporter rifles) project rifle that I acquired off here a few years ago that I intend to strip down and carry out a few mod’s on.
One is to make a one off new stock for it – problem is acquiring a suitable blank at reasonable price, preferably walnut.

The stock will be of the style of the ‘Centenary Airsporter’ with an elongated fore end and a raised comb and cheekpiece.
I will drill and tap the air chamber top to accept a suitable scope ramp, or, I will ‘bond’ one on using a suitable adhesive – not sure which.
A one piece off set scope mount and a decent scope will be fitted.
Also I will refurbish all the mechanics/seals etc and have the metal works re-blued.
All in all, I should end up with a much improved Mk1 – a ‘special’ one off, sorry if that offends the ‘purists’ but I have a couple of nice examples that I wouldn’t dream of doing this to, the example I will modify has definitely it’s ‘best days behind it’ – but hopefully, that will change and it will shine again! (as well as being very unique)

Additionally, I have had it in my mind to alter a couple of second hand Airsporter stocks (beech) I have, they are the Mk4/5/6 open ended type, again to an extended fore end enclosing the existing underlever. The way I intend to do this is to half lap onto the existing ‘arms’ running back to the trigger area (aka Mk 1 and 2 three piece stocks) so the stock will look very similar at this point as inevitably, there is going to have to be an obvious ‘Joint’ between old and new sections.
I just have to obtain some suitable beech wood to do it! (just missed out on some a couple of months back too! )
What say you about this proposal?

Please be polite! (befitting 'Gentlemans corner'! )

ASM

[clarky]

Now I have my man cave sorted, (see thread in Non airgun section) my intention is to do some Airsporter 'project' work I have had simmering in my mind for a few years.

I have a Mk1 (Mk1 Airsporters are my favourite of the Airsporter rifles) project rifle that I acquired off here a few years ago that I intend to strip down and carry out a few mod’s on.
One is to make a one off new stock for it – problem is acquiring a suitable blank at reasonable price, preferably walnut.

The stock will be of the style of the ‘Centenary Airsporter’ with an elongated fore end and a raised comb and cheekpiece.
I will drill and tap the air chamber top to accept a suitable scope ramp, or, I will ‘bond’ one on using a suitable adhesive – not sure which.
A one piece off set scope mount and a decent scope will be fitted.
Also I will refurbish all the mechanics/seals etc and have the metal works re-blued.
All in all, I should end up with a much improved Mk1 – a ‘special’ one off, sorry if that offends the ‘purists’ but I have a couple of nice examples that I wouldn’t dream of doing this to, the example I will modify has definitely it’s ‘best days behind it’ – but hopefully, that will change and it will shine again! (as well as being very unique)

Additionally, I have had it in my mind to alter a couple of second hand Airsporter stocks (beech) I have, they are the Mk4/5/6 open ended type, again to an extended fore end enclosing the existing underlever. The way I intend to do this is to half lap onto the existing ‘arms’ running back to the trigger area (aka Mk 1 and 2 three piece stocks) so the stock will look very similar at this point as inevitably, there is going to have to be an obvious ‘Joint’ between old and new sections.
I just have to obtain some suitable beech wood to do it! (just missed out on some a couple of months back too! )
What say you about this proposal?

Please be polite! (befitting 'Gentlemans corner'! )

ASM

Not a problem...been modding the things for years.....except for maybe a MK 1 ..
I did do a nice MK2 polishing off the gloss lustre of the stock and refinishing with matt wax....came up beautiful ...internals improved with a chambers head and and a little delrin work of my own but for all that there is nothing one can do about the slight errors and inefficiency that the tap brings....
I only ever found absolute perfect alignment with the earlier model D/Lincoln Jeffries variants.

[Airsporterman]

Not a problem...been modding the things for years.....except for maybe a MK 1 ..
I did do a nice MK2 polishing off the gloss lustre of the stock and refinishing with matt wax....came up beautiful ...internals improved with a chambers head and and a little delrin work of my own but for all that there is nothing one can do about the slight errors and inefficiency that the tap brings....
I only ever found absolute perfect alignment with the earlier model D/Lincoln Jeffries variants.

Prefer oil finishes - oiled walnut my favourite!

ASM

[clarky]

Prefer oil finishes - oiled walnut my favourite!

ASM

...me too generally ....but theres something about these walnut stocks on the Airsporters which take a matt none lustre finish better.
I went with matt stock finish wax by birchwood.

[Airsporterman]

...me too generally ....but theres something about these walnut stocks on the Airsporters which take a matt none lustre finish better.
I went with matt stock finish wax by birchwood.

Thanks mate - may check that one out!

ASM

[walnutfarmmick]

Now I have my man cave sorted, (see thread in Non airgun section) my intention is to do some Airsporter 'project' work I have had simmering in my mind for a few years.

I have a Mk1 (Mk1 Airsporters are my favourite of the Airsporter rifles) project rifle that I acquired off here a few years ago that I intend to strip down and carry out a few mod’s on.
One is to make a one off new stock for it – problem is acquiring a suitable blank at reasonable price, preferably walnut.

The stock will be of the style of the ‘Centenary Airsporter’ with an elongated fore end and a raised comb and cheekpiece.
I will drill and tap the air chamber top to accept a suitable scope ramp, or, I will ‘bond’ one on using a suitable adhesive – not sure which.
A one piece off set scope mount and a decent scope will be fitted.
Also I will refurbish all the mechanics/seals etc and have the metal works re-blued.
All in all, I should end up with a much improved Mk1 – a ‘special’ one off, sorry if that offends the ‘purists’ but I have a couple of nice examples that I wouldn’t dream of doing this to, the example I will modify has definitely it’s ‘best days behind it’ – but hopefully, that will change and it will shine again! (as well as being very unique)

Additionally, I have had it in my mind to alter a couple of second hand Airsporter stocks (beech) I have, they are the Mk4/5/6 open ended type, again to an extended fore end enclosing the existing underlever. The way I intend to do this is to half lap onto the existing ‘arms’ running back to the trigger area (aka Mk 1 and 2 three piece stocks) so the stock will look very similar at this point as inevitably, there is going to have to be an obvious ‘Joint’ between old and new sections.
I just have to obtain some suitable beech wood to do it! (just missed out on some a couple of months back too! )
What say you about this proposal?

Please be polite! (befitting 'Gentlemans corner'! )

ASM

If you can PM me tonight with your requirements, or before 0800 tomorrow, I may be able to help. On a Wednesday I meet a dealer in various timbers at an auction.

Hope to help, Mick

[johnbaz]

ASM, I have a mk1 that came to me scoped!!, The rail looked like it had been made by a blacksmith!! Still have it somewhere!!

These were the sellers pics!, The scope is an ir Walther from memory, Still have that too!! (It was only £50 for the lot!!)

Pic 1

Pic 2

By the way, This is my fave 'Sporter, I got off my mate Blackrider, It's a bit special , He has the authenticated last airsporter that ever rolled off the production line!!

Pic 1

Pic 2

Pic 3

Pic 4


John

[Airsporterman]

ASM, I have a mk1 that came to me scoped!!, The rail looked like it had been made by a blacksmith!! Still have it somewhere!!

These were the sellers pics!, The scope is an ir Walther from memory, Still have that too!! (It was only £50 for the lot!!)

Pic 1

Pic 2

By the way, This is my fave 'Sporter, I got off my mate Blackrider, It's a bit special , He has the authenticated last airsporter that ever rolled off the production line!!

Pic 1

Pic 2

Pic 3

Pic 4


John

Yes seen all those pics before John, yes and I'm in love with the tiger striped Mk1 as you probably know!

ASM

[Airsporterman]

If you can PM me tonight with your requirements, or before 0800 tomorrow, I may be able to help. On a Wednesday I meet a dealer in various timbers at an auction.

Hope to help, Mick

Thanks for the offer Mick, if I get stuck I will get in touch.
Have my eye on an Americal Black Walnut blank at the moment but it's a bit pricey, (£75?) also another cheaper hardwood blank (unknown wood) (£40)
The beech shouldn't be too hard to source locally - just missed out on some recently - I could have kicked myself!

ASM

[keith66]

A bit pricey at £75? If you like it buy it. Walnut is not cheap, i remember a few years ago at the game fair, a gunmaker had a plank of superb exibition grade quality english walnut, it was about 5ft long & 18" wide & you could get two full length rifle stocks plus a couple of shotgun stocks & fore ends from it. His dad had acquired it many years before & he was waiting for the right comission to use it.
Holland & Holland had allegedly offered £10,000 for that chunk of timber & he had turned them down.

[Shed tuner]

A bit pricey at £75?

yeah, seems very fair...

[walnutfarmmick]

Thanks for the offer Mick, if I get stuck I will get in touch.
Have my eye on an Americal Black Walnut blank at the moment but it's a bit pricey, (£75?) also another cheaper hardwood blank (unknown wood) (£40)
The beech shouldn't be too hard to source locally - just missed out on some recently - I could have kicked myself!

ASM

No probs. I'll speak to my man about it anyway I know he had some black walnut a while ago but don't think the thickness was there. If I take my airsporter along he'll see exactly what I'm looking for.

If there's anything suitable at an attractive price I might take something to MM next month.

ATB, Mick

[cooper_dan]

I think £75 for the right stock is reasonable.
Looking forward to seeing how this turns out as I'm planning something a bit similar, hopefully starting in December or early next year.

Mk3 or Mk4 Airsporter
Walnut stock, full Stutzen length, with tyrolean cheek piece set for a 32mm scope
Rosewood pistol grip and forend caps
All metal satin polished, then black nickel plated. (Satin polishing first should give a good mix of matt black finish but a bit shiny in the right light)

[Airsporterman]

I think £75 for the right stock is reasonable.
Looking forward to seeing how this turns out as I'm planning something a bit similar, hopefully starting in December or early next year.

Mk3 or Mk4 Airsporter
Walnut stock, full Stutzen length, with tyrolean cheek piece set for a 32mm scope
Rosewood pistol grip and forend caps
All metal satin polished, then black nickel plated. (Satin polishing first should give a good mix of matt black finish but a bit shiny in the right light)

Sounds good mate - go for it, I love to hear of guys refurbishing older Airsporters!

ASM

[Blackrider]

Yes seen all those pics before John, yes and I'm in love with the tiger striped Mk1 as you probably know!

ASM

So am I !