Quote Originally Posted by Geezer View Post

I'd hazard a guess that the 77 was the first 12ft/lbs level rifle that sold as well in the UK in .177" as .22". Because it caught fire as an FT gun and ruled the roost for the last half of the 80s.

I'd also hazard a guess that a lot are in the hands of collector-users like me. I have three, all .177", one full length, two K, all in various states of fanciness. Once you get one (and you could pick them up cheapish 20 or more years ago, when the owners were offloading them to buy PCPs), you get a bit reluctant to let them go.
^^^^^ agree 100% with all as has been said ^^^^^