Most graceful air rifle ever designed?

[Garvin]

That’s a interesting take, to me it one of the most interesting and intricate Air Rifles even made but gracefull would be my last word for it? To me almost ackward looking which I love!

The Mk2 Service awkward looking? I just don't see it that way! Beauty is truly in the eye of the beholder...

[averageplinker]

The Mk2 Service awkward looking? I just don't see it that way! Beauty is truly in the eye of the beholder...

That's the beauty of this thread, there are no right or wrong answers.

[45flint]

That's the beauty of this thread, there are no right or wrong answers.

I don’t know after looking at some pics the ISP Spartan was a pretty good answer! Lol

[ratshot5]

rapid 7

[I. J.]

Another vote for the Mk1 & 2 Airsporter.

[mrto]

Agreed MK1 and MK2 Airsporters as far as springers go,but for PCP definitely the Spartan there is no competition!

[Airsporterman]

My vote would also go for the Mk1 Airsporter with the nice one piece tapered barrel (a nice tidy example of which I am fortunate to own a couple) Have to say I have a soft spot for the Centenary with the elongated stock - my project Mk1 will have some sympathetic mods to bring it up to speed along with a nice one off made stock (once my health/weather etc allows me to get around to doing it that is) with elongated stock similar to the Centenary.
At the end of the day, whatever 'floats your boat' should tick your boxes - if it be an old BSA or Wobbley, the older rifles just seem to have that indefinable something that makes them all that special, also, something that was made all those years ago that still brings much pleasure and good service to it's keeper, is a legacy to those in the past that made them so well with craftsmanship and dedication, there, said my bit! (just my opinion!)

atb
ASM

[45flint]

My vote would also go for the Mk1 Airsporter with the nice one piece tapered barrel (a nice tidy example of which I am fortunate to own a couple) Have to say I have a soft spot for the Centenary with the elongated stock - my project Mk1 will have some sympathetic mods to bring it up to speed along with a nice one off made stock (once my health/weather etc allows me to get around to doing it that is) with elongated stock similar to the Centenary.
At the end of the day, whatever 'floats your boat' should tick your boxes - if it be an old BSA or Wobbley, the older rifles just seem to have that indefinable something that makes them all that special, also, something that was made all those years ago that still brings much pleasure and good service to it's keeper, is a legacy to those in the past that made them so well with craftsmanship and dedication, there, said my bit! (just my opinion!)

atb
ASM

Well said, it’s something you have to feel, it comes through when you hold these old guns and sight them. It’s killing me that it’s too cold to the take my new to me BSA MK2 out and shoot it. But holding it you can tell this is something special.

[Troubledshooter]

There have been many nice looking rifles on this thread, but for sheer grace and elegance of line, I think the Mk.1 Airsporter takes some beating.
On a personal note, I fail to see how anything with a 'Tyrolean' stock can be considered either graceful or elegant.

[Big Seth]

There have been many nice looking rifles on this thread, but for sheer grace and elegance of line, I think the Mk.1 Airsporter takes some beating.
On a personal note, I fail to see how anything with a 'Tyrolean' stock can be considered either graceful or elegant.

Totally with you on both counts.. Don't see the point of Tyro' or Stutzen stocks. I don't like them...

[Blackrider]

BSA Mk 1, Airsporter takes it for me !

[GSMN1]

There have been many nice looking rifles on this thread, but for sheer grace and elegance of line, I think the Mk.1 Airsporter takes some beating.
On a personal note, I fail to see how anything with a 'Tyrolean' stock can be considered either graceful or elegant.

D, beauty must indeed be in the eye of the beholder. I know you have a keen eye for beautiful things. But I fear you are missing out on the marvels of the tyrolean. Curvey walnut gorgeousness. How could you...?

[MDriskill]

I confess to being one of those guys who is attracted to an air rifle probably first for looks! I've really enjoyed this thread. And I suspect there are approximately as many answers to the question as there are airgunners.

Some personal favorites...

Webley Mk 3
I LOVE those rival BSA's in this thread! But something about the long tapered barrel, exposed cocking bits, and later curvy stock of the Mk 3 give it a uniquely lanky, athletic sort of grace, especially when combined with one of those marvelous Parker-Hale sights. (By the way that is my Supertarget in the pics just above, perhaps my luckiest acquisition ever.)

Diana 27
My favorites for looks are the early post-war models. The sheer simplicity of the gun's lines are complemented by the beautifully thought-out small details around the breech, compact rear sight, and trigger. Seldom has the styling of such an inexpensive little sporter been so well worked through.

Weihrauch HW 55 T
In general I go for simpler lines, but the symphony of curved surfaces in this rifle is just wonderful. Diana, FWB, and Walther also offered Tyro stocks in the classic years of springer match rifles, but those rather come across as curvy cheekpieces forced onto otherwise chunky stocks, where the slender rounded and tapered fore end of the HW gives it a far more unified overall form.

Diana 50
The early ones with clean lines, fore end finger grooves, and subtle Schnabel fore end are just superb looking. And Dennis Hiller's classic description of the gun's styling having "sexual overtones" is one of the greatest lines ever.

HW 35
My personal favorite variant is the "Luxus" made up until the late 1970's, with hand-friendly rounded surfaces everywhere, subtle hogsback comb line, and lovely Bayern cheekpiece.