HW77K 1986 - Could it be Lazaglide/Varminter?

[murkywaters]

So I have just bought a HW77K in .177, its a 1031### serial number so this makes it a 1986.

Now what makes me think it could be tickled by Venom is it has the silencer and extended under lever, it is in a very nice adjustable walnut stock which I dont believe is Venom although until I see it I'm not 100% sure.

Thing is, its been chromed? Now I dont think Venom chromed any guns or did they? Anyway I have taken bit of a punt on it at an auction as the stock will be worth a few quid even if the action is a standard unit with added silencer, I'm picking it up next week so will give it a strip down and see whats inside.

Experts, let me know what you think, here is some pics -

[Mach 1.5]

It seems you have hit the jackpot. Stock is a lovely Airmasters FTS Stock so I dare say the action is Airmasters also. Not Venom. Venom did Chrome plate a 77k but I sold it ages ago. A very good find you lucky person you. Mach 1.5

[murkywaters]

It seems you have hit the jackpot. Stock is a lovely Airmasters FTS Stock so I dare say the action is Airmasters also. Not Venom. Venom did Chrome plate a 77k but I sold it ages ago. A very good find you lucky person you. Mach 1.5

Thank you so much for your quick reply Mach 1.5, as you can see by my signature I do like my airguns and know my way around them but do not really know of the Airmasters guns, the only 80's HW77's I seen with the silencer design was a Venom based gun, hence my thought that it could be a customised Venom.

So what were the Airmasters about? I'll do a search now but any info you have would be much appreciated..

[Mach 1.5]

Do a search in the filter and you'll see abit of info on these rifles, dare I say it but one of my favourite stocks on a 77. The Airmasters stuff was up there with venom back in the day and was the FT rifle to have. They also did great work on the FWB Sport also. Again a great find. Mach 1.5

[Shed tuner]

very nice... airmasters - David and Richard Welham.. The "junior" member is on here as "RustyBuzz".
loverly guns.

[murkywaters]

Thank you for all the info so far everyone.

So with some research it looks like the stock is an early Airmasters FTS with the shallow fore end, the action I'm still not sure about but as I said I will post up some pictures once I have it home next week.

[averageplinker]

To quote Eric idle in the Life of Bryan.... You lucky, lucky, bast**d

[murkywaters]

To quote Eric idle in the Life of Bryan.... You lucky, lucky, bast**d

Maybe, would you say the same if you had paid £389 for it?

[averageplinker]

Maybe, would you say the same if you had paid £389 for it?

Yep. Those airmasters stocks are my favourite of all custom stocks (to look at as I have never shouldered one). If the action is tuned too you are doing even better. How much does a new HW97k stainless in a synth stock cost these days and which would you prefer?
Rifles like the that make me want to learn to shoot right handed.
Enjoy it when it arrives

[Shed tuner]

worth at least double that...

[murkywaters]

worth at least double that...

Great! Its nice to know its worth a few quid, I'm not a seller though as I have too many guns but I really should move a few on and just keep the rare/personal guns.

The AirMasters FTS will create a nice pair with my Air Arms MK1 TX200SR .177 Walnut, two classic guns in the best stock wood..

[webb22]

Jammy would be an understatement - well done you sir 😋. I assume you still have both your kidneys from the hammer price plus fees 🙈 ... any Airmasters is a keeper mate. Dave and co are great. Last time I saw him he had downsized his operation back to Tring.

[murkywaters]

Jammy would be an understatement - well done you sir 😋. I assume you still have both your kidneys from the hammer price plus fees 🙈 ... any Airmasters is a keeper mate. Dave and co are great. Last time I saw him he had downsized his operation back to Tring.

Thankyou, yes it was bit of a punt but I had a feeling about this one being a bit special, £389 is not chicken feed but it seems a good price for what I have got, but..... lets see what the chrome action is about first before I start celebrating!

[Bedazzled]

Airmasters stock without a doubt, got to be an original action ,great find you have there

[TonyL]

A lovely rifle at what must be considered a bargain price.

Fancy a ride up the M5 and then across a little to near Nuneaton?

Yep, the venue for The Boinger Bash and there will be many present who love their springers, including some Venom and Airmasters owners and fans. One of them seems to have an uncanny knack of obtaining rare and collectable rifles and stocks from these fine custom houses.

The next one takes place on the 7th and 8th of September; see the thread in General Airgun.

Cheers,

Tone.