History of the straight stock...

[GSMN1]

Thanks for replies to date. So we can surmise that it’s most probably a special created by Beeman. And in limited numbers, so rare. I wonder when and why. And how may? The gun in the previous thread goes back roughly 84/85. (My Mk1 is 85). Don’t know much about Beeman. Any suggested sources to dig deeper?

[45flint]

Thanks for replies to date. So we can surmise that it’s most probably a special created by Beeman. And in limited numbers, so rare. I wonder when and why. And how may? The gun in the previous thread goes back roughly 84/85. (My Mk1 is 85). Don’t know much about Beeman. Any suggested sources to dig deeper?

Here is Beeman discussing rare and collectible Airguns. I don’t think he mentioned this type of stock? Surprising given he is not shy about his contributions?

https://www.beemans.net/airguncollecting.htm

[Hartcliffer]

This was originally mine (although it didn't look anywhere near as good as it does now), and I was sure I emailed Weihrauch about this; I'll have a trawl through my emails and see if they ever replied.

EDIT: That didn't take as long as I thought it might; they were interested in pictures, but did confirm that it was never supplied by the factory as a straight stock. Looks like it was a custom (albeit very good) job.

[draitzer]

I don't recall seeing any mention of a custom straight stock 77 in old Beeman catalogs. It's strange to me that such nice work would have been turned out in beechwood rather than walnut.

Don R.

[GSMN1]

I've dug around as much as I can, and do not have any facts to play with. The www is a big place!!! The most I can muster is that Beeman allegedly did some straight stock variants of some Weihrauch and Webley airguns for the US market and this may be one of those!

Where I have seen forum content it seems to polarise people. Love or hate. Personally, I love the look. IMO it is supremely elegant. But My .22LR days have hardwired a wrist - hand - trigger finger position. that I find difficult to break out of with any comfort. So it is either going to be a wall hanger or go to someone else with an aptitude to shoot the straight stock.

I believe I had a similar conversation with Hartcliffer.

[WebleyWombler]

To me, a straight stock is the type fitted to early crossbows or the block type ones used in heavy benchrest shooting.
I've always known that type of stock you show as a 'Straight Hand Stock', sometimes called an 'English' stock over the big pond. It is designed for fast handling and is i
usually fitted to guns primarily used for snap shooting and field guns rather than those used for target work.
Possibly a search using those terms might yield better results

[Abasmajor]

To me, a straight stock is the type fitted to early crossbows or the block type ones used in heavy benchrest shooting.
I've always known that type of stock you show as a 'Straight Hand Stock', sometimes called an 'English' stock over the big pond. It is designed for fast handling and is i
usually fitted to guns primarily used for snap shooting and field guns rather than those used for target work.
Possibly a search using those terms might yield better results

I believe the early LJ/BSA rifles were offered with the 'Straight Hand Stock' to provide a cheaper alternative to the more complex and therefore costlier to produce 'Pistol Grip Stock'.

Brian