Sharp Innova

[Geezer]

Pretty sure, indeed, that Galway made an Innova silencer and adaptor. I think a few others did too.

As Louis suggests, they had a burst of popularity in the early 80s.

Despite the rise over here of German springers, the late 70s saw a small fad for American pumpers, like the Sheridan, Crosman (including the much hyped Whaley/Marshall “customs”) and the Benjamin.

Compared to them, when introduced in 1979 or 1980, the Innova was short (34”), light (4.5 lbs), and in U.K. form only needed four pumps to make maximum power.

The US guns were typically a bit longer and heavier (Sheridan/Benjamin 37” and 6lbs) or much flimsier at similar weights to the Innova (Crosman 766/2200 - about 5 lbs). And they all needed 8-10 pumps to approach 12 ft-lbs.

In those pre-PCP days, a really light, recoilless, accurate, full-power carbine had a lot going for it in many people’s eyes.

At least one individual used an Innova a bit in early FT. I can’t recall if he developed biceps like Arnie or nearly had a heart attack, or something in between, but he did prove that a 40-shot course of fire and a pumper, even an Innova, were not the best combination.

If you are of a certain generation (mine) you will always have a soft spot for the Innova, whether you owned one or not, and despite its shortcomings.

[greenwayjames]

Air Logic used to make a nice ally foresight assembly with a female 1/2" UNF thread to take their little silencer. Despite its small size it worked well on my old Innova back then.

[jirushi]

A bit off topic, I hope the op does not mind:

This link was shared with me by Donovan in New Zealand who has just acquired a Sharp Super Ace.

Warning, contains hunting photos.

https://translate.google.com/transla...00265,15700271

Translated from Japanese.
There are a few tuners in Japan who do all kinds of mods with Sharp's.
It is possible to get 26 fpe with 13 pumps, in .22

@ Geezer, that's very interesting.
Coincidentally I read a few days ago a report of a FT competition in the eighties where someone won using his Innova. In AGW, will try to find it.

Lastly, I found out that Sharp is no more. I had previously heard that there was still a factory in Japan, making Ace Hunter's and Innova's for the Japanese market.
A member on here, who I think is no longer with us, Tantomurata, visited the factory around 2010.
But the company liquidated in 2015. Probably due to the rise of pcp's.
However, Sharp's still have a cult status over there.
An Ace is the gun of a popular comic book's main character.
Good info on Sharp on this translated Wikipedia page:
https://translate.google.com/transla...00265,15700271

[Drew451]

There is an Innova for sale over on Gun**** with a highly unusual stock. Looks good to my eyes.

[ratpellet]

Imo the real attraction of the Innova is the simplicity of design, accuracy, durability and basic functionality and to me its pretty much perfect as it is, no offence to people who want to jazz it up, just my two cents, sometimes you don t need to improve on perfection eek

[jirushi]

Imo the real attraction of the Innova is the simplicity of design, accuracy, durability and basic functionality and to me its pretty much perfect as it is, no offence to people who want to jazz it up, just my two cents, sometimes you don t need to improve on perfection eek

I agree. Just brilliant in their original form.
I'm now comparing the Innova with the Victory.
Although I think the Victory is great, I prefer the Innova.
I've never been attracted to Ace's tbh, I find them quite heavy.

[MartynB]

Although I think the Victory is great, I prefer the Innova

I you want to give the Victory a new home, I'll volunteer

[MartynB]

One thing's for sure, without a silencer, they go off with a hell of a crack

[rapidresponse1]

lovely collection you have there bud

[jirushi]

An attempt to keep this thread alive.
Did some carving yesterday, inspired by a US Benjamin collector who has just made an amazing display for his collection.
It is far from perfect but as Ped commented, it has got a human touch

[jirushi]

Ps. Has anyone seen screws in the pump handle like on the bottom Innova, a .177 "MkI"?
I wondered if they are a modification, or original. In any case, I think it's well done.

[AllanM]

I've never seen pump handle screws on an Innova and, like you Louis, I suspect they are non-standard.

Nice job though -- they are almost "fore and aft"!

[hunto]

thinking of shortening presure cylinder ( brass valve body ) hoping to improve efficency, longer stroke into smaller space = more pressure. anyone done this? will it work or will there be too little volume of air . Hoping more lerned members will have answers.

[MartynB]

thinking of shortening presure cylinder ( brass valve body ) hoping to improve efficency, longer stroke into smaller space = more pressure. anyone done this? will it work or will there be too little volume of air . Hoping more lerned members will have answers.

I think John Bowkett may have done something similar back in the day

[Topwater]

Thanks for your welcome and reply Ratbuster. Put me down for an adapter if anyone has the ability to make them