John Darling hw80

[BAD DAZ]

Ok, this is probably one of the most iconic spring rifles ever made, I had a Venom 80 hunter back in the late 80's, but it was a vantage stock and not the same as JD's, i did a post a few years back asking if anyone had an original JD stock, I know for a fact that there were 2 made, the first one was owned by Ivan Hancock of Venom Arms and JD had one, but they are the only 2 I have ever seen, I was just wondering if anyone else has one, or knows of one, I'd be very surprised if there were only 2 made, but where are they, I know where Ivan's is, but have no clue as the whereabouts of JD's, be nice to know if there are any more out there, atb Daz

[Zomboid]

Ok, this is probably one of the most iconic spring rifles ever made, I had a Venom 80 hunter back in the late 80's, but it was a vantage stock and not the same as JD's, i did a post a few years back asking if anyone had an original JD stock, I know for a fact that there were 2 made, the first one was owned by Ivan Hancock of Venom Arms and JD had one, but they are the only 2 I have ever seen, I was just wondering if anyone else has one, or knows of one, I'd be very surprised if there were only 2 made, but where are they, I know where Ivan's is, but have no clue as the whereabouts of JD's, be nice to know if there are any more out there, atb Daz

There was a "find" I think on another forum where someone had got one purely by chance. They didn't know what it was but they sent pictures to V-Mach who confirmed it was a Venom one. There were a few made to special order.

I have seen a Free-ads sale of a factory standard HW80, Tasco 3-9x50AG and the same stock or a reproduction. It was £500 I think. I was tempted just for the stock - I'd sell the scope and rifle probably. This was a couple of years back I think. They are out there but very rarely up for sale.

[BAD DAZ]

Hello mate, I know of the one on the other forum, that's the one that was owned by Ivan, I'm just wondering if that was the one from freeadds, hopefully someone will know and let us know, atb Daz

[ZAKDINGEL]

Was there not a member on here a few back that said they have or new who owns JDs 80 and rapid 7?

[BAD DAZ]

That would be interesting to find out, be nice to see some pictures of those, atb Daz

[Trumpetier]

Was there not a member on here a few back that said they have or new who owns JDs 80 and rapid 7?

Tell us more

[Mach 1.5]

Let's go back to Sept 1983. Dave & Ivan where at Trapshot and were just producing tuned and custom specials. They did the Hunter, Varminter and Sporter - Specials to order. Their tuned HW80 back then was £112 so add a walnut stock and the price jumps up. I dare say not many were made due to price and the custom rifle was at a very early stage in our airgun history. John's 80 came about when he went on a shoot with Dave and Ivan and liked Ivan's gun that much he had the same mod's done to his own 80. Not sure why John went for the super moon lighter as his scope? But each to their own. Mach 1.5

[TonyL]

Was there not a member on here a few back that said they have or new who owns JDs 80 and rapid 7?

Yep, rings a bell does that.