Airmasters Mastersport FTS/Vmach

[WILBA]

Stunning. Pure airgun porn.

[Mach 1.5]

Also lookout for a contour mount which airmasters sold back in the 80's. We were so spoilt back in the 80's with these wonderful rifles. Gone but no way forgotten. Mach 1.5

[TonyL]

That is a truly beautiful rifle. And great to see Richard on here with valuable input.

Now, just a wild guess here, as I certainly don't know, but did Northern Arms or Cindy's Shooting Shop get involved with chrome plating at any point?.

[nurek]

The FTS is one of the best looking 77 stocks around, probably only bettered by a Kobayashi stock and you don't see many of those around!

[Mach 1.5]

Northern Arms. They did the silver Sierra and the Gold Sierra. As per Nurek, the FTS Stock is one of the best custom stocks ever made for the 77. Mach 1.5

[Geezer]

That is a truly beautiful rifle. And great to see Richard on here with valuable input.

Now, just a wild guess here, as I certainly don't know, but did Northern Arms or Cindy's Shooting Shop get involved with chrome plating at any point?.

Northern Arms. They did the silver Sierra and the Gold Sierra. As per Nurek, the FTS Stock is one of the best custom stocks ever made for the 77. Mach 1.5

Tony,

https://m.imgur.com/gallery/OqBk8

Enjoy.

[murkywaters]

As to numbers, there were probably around 75-100 FTS and FT variations produced.

Thanks for all the kind words and info everyone, I appreciate it

Richard, when you say "around 75-100 FTS and FT variations produced" was these numbers for both FTS and FT combined or 75-100 of each?
I find it interesting the production numbers of these classic rifles, also its nice to know how many are out there, some with collectors, some probably sat in a loft or shed forgotten hoping to see the light of day again.

I have absolutely no interest in selling this rifle but what price would the great and good here value it at, once I get a good idea I'll know whether to wrap it in cotton wool or not!

[joffy]

Or a Zeiss 3-9x36 if you are feeling flush

Or a kassnar beta

[RustyBuzz]

Thanks for all the kind words and info everyone, I appreciate it

Richard, when you say "around 75-100 FTS and FT variations produced" was these numbers for both FTS and FT combined or 75-100 of each?
I find it interesting the production numbers of these classic rifles, also its nice to know how many are out there, some with collectors, some probably sat in a loft or shed forgotten hoping to see the light of day again.

I have absolutely no interest in selling this rifle but what price would the great and good here value it at, once I get a good idea I'll know whether to wrap it in cotton wool or not!

That number is for all models but very much a guesstimate, based on average 2 per month for 4-5 years.

Numbers were low, because it was an expensive rifle, equivalent price today would be £1700ish for a basic model FTS.

The unique thing about the FTS is that each grip and thumbhole was fitted to the original owners hand. So you might have massive hands, buy one today that was made for someone with really tiny hands and find it very uncomfortable. - buyer beware!

[tom24]

I would like to echo how nice it is to hear from Richard
I guess that £1700.00 puts in perspective why we don t see such creations today ...
At least I don t have to consider selling off any body parts to fund one
A really lovely rifle
ATVB TO ALL
TOM

[RustyBuzz]

Or a kassnar beta

Maybe not so much the Beta 3.

Whilst a nice scope, these were very much FT rifles and the Beta 3 reticle is all wrong for FT - ie too thick and too wide between posts. And I seem to remember that they had no top post and that the thick posts were square across the top which removes another important point of reference when compared to those with pointed tips.

Zeiss 6x32 or 3-9x36 was the dream. Tasco 2-7AG was good enough or one of my personal favourites the Tasco 3-9x40 TR. Also the Weihrauch 3-9x40 as these are great scopes and would be an excellent match you can find one.

Oh, and thanks to Tony, Tom, Mach et all for their kind comments

[Duggan]

Gorgeous rifle and photos thank you for sharing and all of the contributions.

[ptdunk]

Recently found this in July 1986 Airgun world:

[IMG][/IMG]

Great to have the ‘thumb up’option.
Really beautiful stock, way ahead of its time.

Great find mate,
Matt.

[Muskett]

That’s not actually true Musket.

At the point we introduced the FTS - late '85, pretty much everything people are talking about now, us and Venom, were doing by then. We may not have understood the science back then, as well as it is understood today, but we could recognise the results.

As to numbers, there were probably around 75-100 FTS and FT variations produced.

Sorry if I sound a bit ingenuous but its not as if there was standardisation across the custom houses. The Top Hats, Laserglides, and piston customising, was only just coming online. Each custom house had their own way.
I'm sure you were getting the results and adding magic to the factory fodder. Whatever was going on in each custom house was quite secret. I suppose to protect the sales angle. Commercial numbers kept in house too.
Nothing wrong with that. What customers were buying were a mishmash too. Basic, stage 1,2,3, all kinds of work going on.

By the recent reports of rifles that have been opened up to see what was done its all so varied. No one can say exactly whats was done without looking and a good few it seems are a lot less than expected or first thought. Reports seem just so varied.
Was the first FTS the same as the last? 75-100 over a few years is not heaps. I don't know.
To add to the confusion owners played and switched parts about too.

Any light on what was really done, and when improvements kicked in, would enlighten us all. Frankly for the collector its all a bit buying blind.
What should a collector look out for?

Absolutely I am no espert. I'm more: if it shoots well its fine. Nice if a few who do have more info shared some of their findings. I think it would interest a lot of people as its part of airgun history. Maybe I just haven't been payed enough attention and all the info is out there?

[murkywaters]

That number is for all models but very much a guesstimate, based on average 2 per month for 4-5 years.
Numbers were low, because it was an expensive rifle, equivalent price today would be £1700ish for a basic model FTS.

Thats a lot lower production than what I thought, at most 2 x 60 months = 120 if half were FT and the other FTS then thats only 60 of each, would I be right in saying the FTS number were maybe even less due to the complexity of the adjustable cheek piece and the cost?

Zeiss 6x32 or 3-9x36 was the dream. Tasco 2-7AG was good enough or one of my personal favourites the Tasco 3-9x40 TR. Also the Weihrauch 3-9x40 as these are great scopes and would be an excellent match you can find one.

Think I'll try and hunt down a 3-9x40 TR with the correct mount, would set this gun off perfectly.

Recently found this in July 1986 Airgun world:
Great to have the ‘thumb up’option.
Really beautiful stock, way ahead of its time.

Great find mate,
Matt.

Thanks Matt, I actually managed to track down a copy of July 86 (thanks to the member who helped ) this will be staying with the rifle, and yes your right it was way ahead of its time.

Thanks to everyone so far for their kind words and yes the more info we have about vintage /retro guns and the tuning the better.