Sterling HR81

[Irondave5110]

Good evening all, Dave here 64 and a keen air rifle enthusiast. This my first post and hopefully a slightly interesting one. I recently retired to Walton on the Naze, and by complete chance someone I had round to hang a couple of doors for me, mentioned that a lady he was also doing work for locally, was moving and was having a clearout of her late husbands things. Namely two air rifles. I was invited round and the lady had two air rifles to show me. One was a Mk II BSA Meteor .22. The other was a Sterling HR81. Although I am well aware of Sterling's work and history (I used to go past the factory in Dagenham regularly as a boy) I was unaware they ever produced an air rifle. The amazing thing is that the lady was the daughter in law back in the day of one of the designers at Sterling, a Mr Peter Hart, acording to Wikipedia he was one of the three man design team who designed the HR81, along with Mr Roy Hutchunsin and Mr Peter Moon. And the rifle she had was Peters own personal rifle. Needless to say I purchased both the guns, I made enquiries with local gunsmiths, most of whome failed to respond to my emails. Luckily I was contacted by a noted Gunsmith in Gt Yeldham in Essex (Steve) who emailed to say he new all about the HR81 and actually had two in his workshop. The gun is now in his capable hands and will receive a full service. I understand that some people do not hold the HR81 in high regard. But having held (Heavy) and inspected the gun. I am very pleased to own something that was produced by a British company with such an illustrious history. I shall report back when I get the gun back and get it over the range.

[TonyL]

A very warm welcome to you, Dave.

You've joined a great forum, full of friendly and knowledgeable people.

Wow! What a brilliant chance find with that rifle. And one that holds such history. Do enjoy this very British of rifles and please do keep us updated with your experiences once you get using it.

[costalotpanther]

I own one of these.
It is very well made and extremely accurate.
Best of all it is great fun to use.
Enjoy it.
And a great story.

[Irondave5110]

A very warm welcome to you, Dave.

You've joined a great forum, full of friendly and knowledgeable people.

Wow! What a brilliant chance find with that rifle. And one that holds such history. Do enjoy this very British of rifles and please do keep us updated with your experiences once you get using it.

Thank you for the welcome Tony. I must admit , although I have never served in the army, when I held the gun and operated the bolt action, it put me in mind of a SMLE or something of that ilk.

[Murphy]

IIRC Roy Hutchinson then went on to make the Park RH91 and RH93.

[MartynB]

Interesting history lesson, I do remember them, my local gunsmith Russell Walkyer had several in stock

[Fixright]

Hi Dave have you stripped the hr 81 down yet as I have just required one and need to change the spring thanks Graham

[flyingfish]

Hi Dave and Graham
Welcome to the Forum
There are loads of helpful people here that can advise on most things airgun

[micky2]

I like them a lot, but l sold mine as l found them just a bit to heavy for me.

[Winceby]

I had a Stirling HR81 years ago. It was very well made and the blacking was superb. I am sure it has one of the longest springs of any air rifle. It also had a leather piston head washer.

Sadly the Weihrauch HW77 was introduced around the same time rendering the HR81 obsolete.

[Mark D]

Hi Dave have you stripped the hr 81 down yet as I have just required one and need to change the spring thanks Graham

Find yourself a copy of Airgun World - August 2007 and there is a strip down guide on the HR81.

[Phil Russell]

I believe there is a guide in 'Idiots Guide' sticky over in Collectables: post 113/114.
Good luck.
Cheers, Phil

[WILBA]

Nice find.i have a park rh93 thumbhole stock rifle. Beautiful engineering.