HW35, a few questions

[look no hands]

Even I sometimes go into my gun room wearing boxing gloves.

Stop beating yourself up over it (see what I did there with the boxing glove follow on) but I'd have to beat some sense into myself if I had such bad taste (see I did it again) luckily I don't

Pete

[I. J.]

Stop beating yourself up over it (see what I did there with the boxing glove follow on) but I'd have to beat some sense into myself if I had such bad taste (see I did it again) luckily I don't

Pete

Some one who admits to owning a A A Combat shouldn't comment about 'bad taste'
One day you will get around ( a round - boxing. Get it? ) to owning one of Hermans best. The HW35 in all its variations. A collectors dream with all the stock and barrel variations because even I, with 18 of the beggars, hasn't got them all.

ATB
Ian

[Gareth W-B]

The HW35 in all its variations (is) a collectors dream with all the stock and barrel variations because even I, with 18 of the beggars, hasn't got them all.

Indeed my friend, as I have one that you certainly don't have, and with providence to boot. For I have Eddie Barber's and Norman May's original prototype HW35 Vixen .177 built around a pre-safety Hoffman variant (the importers that pre-date Hull Cartridge) from May 1977.

For those who don't know, Eddie Barber was the man responsible for launching Airgun World magazine as well as being the other half of the picture regarding The Vixen's development with Norman. After the Vixen, Eddie moved on to develop the AIRGUNAID SP-5 .20 Hunter in conjunction with Don Grey: Eddie was -- and will always be remembered as -- a true Airgunning Legend. RIP Mr Barber.

[I. J.]

Tis true. While I have a few Vixens in both cals. and with various stocks options, I have not got a Vixen prototype. I tried to restrict my '35 collection to rifles that went into production. Limited editions and anniversary models, yes, but from a production run.
The one I am missing is the HW35 Barrakkuda (sp). The one with ether injection but as it is classed as F.A.C. its out of my reach.

ATB
Ian

[Gareth W-B]

Tis true. While I have a few Vixens in both cals. and with various stocks options, I have not got a Vixen prototype. I tried to restrict my '35 collection to rifles that went into production. Limited editions and anniversary models, yes, but from a production run.x
The one I am missing is the HW35 Barrakkuda (sp). The one with ether injection but as it is classed as F.A.C. its out of my reach.

ATB
Ian

You should do an HW35 article for AGW my friend, as being the iconic air rifle which kick-started the British air gun scene's coming of age (in the face of the lack-lustre U.K. home-grown offering which existed in the late 1950s when the HW35 was launched, the HW35 was like an Exocet missile launcher in comparison ).

For the HW35 was the first truly accurate and powerful production air rifle to hit the British market, and in the late 1950s when it landed, it simply blew all the other pretenders away and heralded the dawn of a bright new air gunning era. Without a doubt, the HW35 was a trail-blazer. Without it I proffer our scene would not have prospered?

HW broke the mould and pushed the envelope yet further twenty years later, when it introduced (first) the HW80, and (later), the HW77. Yep we owe good old Herman an awful lot.

[Gareth W-B]

.
Oh, and btw, mine is not just 'a prototype', but it is 'thee' prototype.

[stillair1]

.
Oh, and btw, mine is not just 'a prototype', but it is 'thee' prototype.

Couldn't think of a more worthy recipient Gareth.

Regards Neil

[I. J.]

....as being the iconic air rifle which kick-started the British air gun scene's coming of age (in the face of the lack-lustre U.K. home-grown offering which existed in the late 1950s when the HW35 was launched, the HW35 was like an Exocet missile launcher in comparison ).

For the HW35 was the first truly accurate and powerful production air rifle to hit the British market, and in the late 1950s when it landed, it simply blew all the other pretenders away and heralded the dawn of a bright new air gunning era. Without a doubt, the HW35 was a trail-blazer. Without it I proffer our scene would not have prospered?

HW broke the mould and pushed the envelope yet further twenty years later, when it introduced (first) the HW80, and (later), the HW77. Yep we owe good old Herman an awful lot.

I couldn't agree more.

With regards to prototypes. I have in my collection the prototype Webley Omega , an Omega and a Vulcan with adjustable gas ram similar to the Theoben range of rifles.

ATB
Ian

[Micky Spillane]

I couldn't agree more.

With regards to prototypes. I have in my collection the prototype Webley Omega , an Omega and a Vulcan with adjustable gas ram similar to the Theoben range of rifles.

ATB
Ian

Now you're talking mate Webley made proper guns The .45 revolver for one. Add to that the rifle dad had In the umbrella stand in our old bungalow (prefab) a .303 Short Magazine Lee Enfield No4 Mk 1. No idea what he kept it for, a bit over the top for bunny bashing. Probably to try and keep the Europeans away from our shores!

[Gareth W-B]

Indeed my friend, as I have one that you certainly don't have, and with providence to boot. For I have Eddie Barber's and Norman May's original prototype HW35 Vixen .177 built around a pre-safety Hoffman variant (the importers that pre-date Hull Cartridge) from May 1977.

For those who don't know, Eddie Barber was the man responsible for launching Airgun World magazine as well as being the other half of the picture regarding The Vixen's development with Norman. After the Vixen, Eddie moved on to develop the AIRGUNAID SP-5 .20 Hunter in conjunction with Don Grey: Eddie was -- and will always be remembered as -- a true Airgunning Legend. RIP Mr Barber.

... I also have an almost full tin of Eddie's 'Wart Hog Brand' .20 cal pellets, and although not now (or ever) up for sale, I'll bet these would cost a Bob or two to replace, too, no?

[I. J.]

Indeed my friend, as I have one that you certainly don't have, and with providence to boot. For I have Eddie Barber's and Norman May's original prototype HW35 Vixen .177 built around a pre-safety Hoffman variant (the importers that pre-date Hull Cartridge) from May 1977.

Its been eating at me for a few days - so I have to ask. What is the difference between the prototype Vixen and a production one? Does it, for example, have the nickel (?) side catch and the word 'VIXEN' engraved in the breech bock?

ATB
Ian

[Gareth W-B]

Its been eating at me for a few days - so I have to ask. What is the difference between the prototype Vixen and a production one? Does it, for example, have the nickel (?) side catch and the word 'VIXEN' engraved in the breech bock?

Hi Ian,

It has the chrome release catch and chrome piston etc, and is engraved ‘Eddie Barber. Vixen Prototype May 1977’. It came to me via a shared shooting friend of Eddie’s and mine (pre 1999 Chelmsford villages were still very interconnected and rural), who in turn got it from Eddie’s daughter (who incidentally was a school friend of mine) after Eddie died, so said rifle’s provenance is solid.

It only shoots at around 8ft.lb these days however, but is totally original, so am happy to leave it at that, especially as these days it is only used for 25 yard open sight paper punching. It is a lovely wonderful piece of real-time popularist air gun history and engineering, however, and I love it. Hope this helps?

[I. J.]

Hi Ian,

It has the chrome release catch and chrome piston etc, and is engraved ‘Eddie Barber. Vixen Prototype May 1977’. It came to me via a shared shooting friend of Eddie’s and mine (pre 1999 Chelmsford villages were still very interconnected and rural), who in turn got it from Eddie’s daughter )who incidentally was a school friend of mine) after Eddie died, so said rifle’s provenance is solid.

It only shoots at around 8ft.lb these days however, but is totally original, so am happy to leave it at that, especially as these days it is only used for 35 yard paper punching. It is a lovely wonderful piece of real-time popularist air gun history and engineering. Hope this helps?

Oh it sure does. The Omega prototype I own is very basic. Theres not a drop of engraving, no serial number and the stock is a converted Vulcan Deluxe. If it wasn't for its history it would be quite an unassuming air rifle I probably wouldn't give a second glance to.

Thats quite a piece of arigun history you have there.

ATB
Ian

[Gareth W-B]

Oh it sure does. The Omega prototype I own is very basic. Theres not a drop of engraving, no serial number and the stock is a converted Vulcan Deluxe. If it wasn't for its history it would be quite an unassuming air rifle I probably wouldn't give a second glance to.

Thats quite a piece of arigun history you have there.

ATB
Ian

Thank you my friend - and I note that in your eagerness to reply you quoted my post before I added my nominal corrections and extra info edits (lol). Atvb: G.

[Hsing-ee]

Some one who admits to owning a A A Combat shouldn't comment about 'bad taste'

AA Combat - copy a Hammerli, ruin the accuracy and trigger, and put it in an SAS (Special Army Soldiers) stock. Result!