Most graceful air rifle ever designed?

[eyebull]

The ISP Spartan was probably one of the most luscious airrifles ever, but how many were made?
It might not be so fair to compare a niche product built by a single craftsman (AFAIK) to a mass produced rifle...

[gingernut]

Spartan is always top trumps in many polls.

[45flint]

The ISP Spartan was probably one of the most luscious airrifles ever, but how many were made?
It might not be so fair to compare a niche product built by a single craftsman (AFAIK) to a mass produced rifle...

No doubt this is true, but fun to see, never knew they existed. I am just happy I have one of the guns mentioned that is obtainable. Surprising how the look of the early BSA Airsporter held up. I could see myself trying for a MK1, if it ever poped up here in the US. I don’t think anyone was importing them back then, it will be a long shot.

[look no hands]

As already said, the Airsporter has to claim the top spot, followed closely by the Prosport and then the RWS Excalibre for the PCP side but I think the later Mercury's should get an honourable mention.

Pete

[njaw]

BSA Cadet. A beautiful little thing.

[GSMN1]

ISP Spartan.....end of........no competition

yea. That gets my vote too.

[nurek]

ISP Spartan.....end of........no competition

yup, 100% agree.

Best looking air rifle, end of.

[45flint]

yup, 100% agree.

Best looking air rifle, end of.

The more I think of it the fact that the ISP is a PCP kind of taints it. Pretty easy to put a nice wrapper on a air tank? Where is the pic of it with all the “stuff” needed to fill it and make it function as a rifle? Making a self contained working rifle is a much greater challenge and is more to my vision of classic design that is not as easy to make graceful.

[Garvin]

The more I think of it the fact that the ISP is a PCP kind of taints it. Pretty easy to put a nice wrapper on a air tank? Where is the pic of it with all the “stuff” needed to fill it and make it function as a rifle? Making a self contained working rifle is a much greater challenge and is more to my vision of classic design that is not as easy to make graceful.

That's my thinking too. The challenge is to make a graceful design within the limitations imposed by the gun having a self-contained power supply.

For this reason I would discount CO2 guns from the challenge, because they can easily be of a conventionally 'beautiful' design unencumbered by the difficulties of including a self-produced power supply.

[Abasmajor]

I just love the elegant lines of the BSA Airsporter and its little brother, the Cadet Major. I would give a slight edge to the Mk1 Airsporter over the MK2 due to the nicely tapered barrel and wheel adjustable rear sight. Although I know they are there for a reason, I'm not so keen on the fluting to the sides of the fore end of both the Aisporter models which I think would look better if left plain. The Cadet Major was my first serious air rifle received on my eleventh birthday in 1957 and the unique sound this rifle makes as the breech is closed after cocking takes me straight back to my youth.





Brian

[I. J.]

That's my thinking too. The challenge is to make a graceful design within the limitations imposed by the gun having a self-contained power supply.

For this reason I would discount CO2 guns from the challenge, because they can easily be of a conventionally 'beautiful' design unencumbered by the difficulties of including a self-produced power supply.

Saying that - the Crosman Mod 70 is no munter.

[Garvin]

Saying that - the Crosman Mod 70 is no munter.

Lots of plastic though isn't there Ian?

[jackal1]

To my eye the Webley Service Mk2 is probably unsurpassed for sheer design beauty - olde worlde charm coupled with superb workmanship. I particularly love the way the steps from barrel to cylinder, and breech to stock, have been graduated, so no disruption to the lines, unlike the Mk1 rifle.

I can't help thinking the Webley service rifles are amongst the most hideous ever produced.

[Garvin]

I can't help thinking the Webley service rifles are amongst the most hideous ever produced.

Then I have to wonder what you're doing in this section.

[eyebull]

I can't help thinking the Webley service rifles are amongst the most hideous ever produced.

Agreed, I used the exact same word - hideous! -to describe them the other day.
Like an explosion in a plumbing supplies shop