When a Routine Wipe down is an Occasion...

Jump to latest Follow Reply
RM100GUY

RM100GUY

Member
Jun 22, 2018
1,048
2,109
70
Ceder Key Florida USA
When it's a Theoben SLR 88 Imperator FT .177....in retirement...we should all have it so good! Living in air conditioned comfort with oil rub downs now and again. I plane to put it on static display when our addition is completed, along with some other choice pieces...wife said I could...until than it remains in the case on the "top shelf"...waste of a good springer I guess but needs to be preserved for future generations...Old world workmenship by masters of their craft is a hard thing to come by these days...and this Imperator fits that discription perfectly...I had a pretty bad stroke just a few days after receiving this gun...ok now a year later...but my wife has instructions as to it's future if something happens to me. Our slab has been poured for the addition so hopefully it will be on the wall by summer...I hope.
20230328_130210.jpg
20230328_130635.jpg
20230328_130832.jpg
20230328_131417.jpg
20230328_131533.jpg
20230328_130805.jpg
20230328_130929.jpg


20230328_130958.jpg


20230328_131339.jpg
 
  • Like
  • Wow
Reactions: fishing43, kingfisher61, shambozzie and 16 others
That's a real stunner, thanks for sharing!

I often think the aesthetic aspects of airgunning are neglected, especially where the older ones are concerned. The styling, handling, finish quality, construction details, and shooting feel of these classics are - to me at least - a big part of the joy this hobby brings. I freely admit I spend more time looking at my toys than shooting them!
 
  • Like
Reactions: 808spitdr, RM100GUY, Bear-of-Grayling and 1 other person
Upvote 0
MDriskill said:
That's a real stunner, thanks for sharing!

I often think the aesthetic aspects of airgunning are neglected, especially where the older ones are concerned. The styling, handling, finish quality, construction details, and shooting feel of these classics are - to me at least - a big part of the joy this hobby brings. I freely admit I spend more time looking at my toys than shooting them!
Click to expand...
Not by everyone Mike. The materials, fit, finish, and attention to detail in the old guns was just better. HoosierDaddy next door has a 1968 Winnie 435 like mine. Asked him if the bluing on his was as good as mine. He said it’s as good or better than his TX200. And those weren’t really high dollar guns BITD. Shame they don’t build most of them that way anymore.
 
  • Like
Reactions: MDriskill and RM100GUY
Upvote 0
MDriskill said:
That's a real stunner, thanks for sharing!

I often think the aesthetic aspects of airgunning are neglected, especially where the older ones are concerned. The styling, handling, finish quality, construction details, and shooting feel of these classics are - to me at least - a big part of the joy this hobby brings. I freely admit I spend more time looking at my toys than shooting them!
Click to expand...
Agreed. I also have my shooters and my lookers. Spend more time with the lookers. Never gets old.
 
  • Like
Reactions: r1lover and RM100GUY
Upvote 0
cjtamu said:
Not by everyone Mike. The materials, fit, finish, and attention to detail in the old guns was just better. HoosierDaddy next door has a 1968 Winnie 435 like mine. Asked him if the bluing on his was as good as mine. He said it’s as good or better than his TX200. And those weren’t really high dollar guns BITD. Shame they don’t build most of them that way anymore.
Click to expand...
Postwar Dianas are at the top of my list of collectibles underrated in the US. Their adult models are without exception efficiently designed; sturdily-made; beautifully finished; have excellent barrels, triggers, and sights; and are a general gas to shoot.

Perhaps because...
+ Diana's use of stamped parts, spot welding, and other techniques carried over from their production of wartime weapons. I suspect many shooters turned their nose up at this, in spite of the heavy construction and beautiful finish of those bits. Many other German makers relied more pre-war hand-done techniques and, well...look who survived.
+ The stream of condescending criticism of Diana guns from Beeman...after he was kicked to the curb as their US distributor (like the silly "tap the cap" ad campaign). I think there was a generation of US airgunners that thought the Doc could do no wrong, and there's still a hangover from that.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Bear-of-Grayling
Upvote 0
That 88 is certainly a rare commodity!! Early constructed Theoben rifles had that "hand-made" look and feel that you don't get from mass produced rifles.
You are fortunate to have acquired it. It is deserving of all the care you give it. IMO it couldn't be in better hands.....except maybe mine...😆
Thanks for taking the time to share.
 
  • Like
Reactions: RM100GUY
Upvote 0
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom
Back
Home
Forums
Resources
Menu