I've just bought myself a Tempest as an impulsive early Christmas present, I've never had one myself but one of my mates Dad had one back in the day in .22 that sent beer cans skittling over the lawn and I've always wanted one.

A case of nostalgia, I guess.

Now that I idly peruse the net for information, I find that the brown grips were an extra and hence rare which threw me somewhat.

I always assumed that it was more or less random as I saw both types often enough, in fact a quick search on our local auction site shows seven Tempest being sold during the last two months, 5 brown and 2 black.

So, have I just invested in an heirloom gun that should only be shot once on Whitsunday or a common or garden Tempest that should be used and abused as it was meant to?