Spartan is always top trumps in many polls.
The ISP Spartan was probably one of the most luscious airrifles ever, but how many were made?
It might not be so fair to compare a niche product built by a single craftsman (AFAIK) to a mass produced rifle...
Good deals with these members
Spartan is always top trumps in many polls.
No doubt this is true, but fun to see, never knew they existed. I am just happy I have one of the guns mentioned that is obtainable. Surprising how the look of the early BSA Airsporter held up. I could see myself trying for a MK1, if it ever poped up here in the US. I don’t think anyone was importing them back then, it will be a long shot.
As already said, the Airsporter has to claim the top spot, followed closely by the Prosport and then the RWS Excalibre for the PCP side but I think the later Mercury's should get an honourable mention.
Pete
Far too many rifles to list now, all mainly British but the odd pesky foreigner has snuck in
BSA Cadet. A beautiful little thing.
The more I think of it the fact that the ISP is a PCP kind of taints it. Pretty easy to put a nice wrapper on a air tank? Where is the pic of it with all the “stuff” needed to fill it and make it function as a rifle? Making a self contained working rifle is a much greater challenge and is more to my vision of classic design that is not as easy to make graceful.
That's my thinking too. The challenge is to make a graceful design within the limitations imposed by the gun having a self-contained power supply.
For this reason I would discount CO2 guns from the challenge, because they can easily be of a conventionally 'beautiful' design unencumbered by the difficulties of including a self-produced power supply.
Vintage Airguns Gallery
..Above link posted with permission from Gareth W-B
In British slang an anorak is a person who has a very strong interest in niche subjects.
I just love the elegant lines of the BSA Airsporter and its little brother, the Cadet Major. I would give a slight edge to the Mk1 Airsporter over the MK2 due to the nicely tapered barrel and wheel adjustable rear sight. Although I know they are there for a reason, I'm not so keen on the fluting to the sides of the fore end of both the Aisporter models which I think would look better if left plain. The Cadet Major was my first serious air rifle received on my eleventh birthday in 1957 and the unique sound this rifle makes as the breech is closed after cocking takes me straight back to my youth.
Brian
Founder & ex secretary of Rivington Riflemen.
www.rivington-riflemen.uk
Vintage Airguns Gallery
..Above link posted with permission from Gareth W-B
In British slang an anorak is a person who has a very strong interest in niche subjects.
Vintage Airguns Gallery
..Above link posted with permission from Gareth W-B
In British slang an anorak is a person who has a very strong interest in niche subjects.