Pope ji ki Jai!!!

[hamiclar01]

Let me start by saying, for once, this story does NOT start with a whim.

Autumn, 2007. I was fully aware of the legendary HW80, the European cousin of the venerable R1. The IHP 35 had, for a while, killed all my desires in the break barrel direction. However, after reading more, and more, I became fascinated by the gun, enough to ignite a spark. I decided to take the plunge.

However, which calibre? And a sub 12fps HW80 was a beast, untuned. Open sights or not? What budget?

Slip into all of these a fervent desire to own a gun customised for ME. Call it ego, fancy, covet....But living in UK, with it’s airgunsmiths,I wanted something that would form part of the family jewels. So, I wanted a custom shop.

Who else, but Steve Pope, ex Venom, and current V Mach. The god of springers. My V glided hw77k was proof of the sheer genius of V mach, which has meant that every other underlever I have shot so far seems pale. I picked up the phone for his advice.

Steve is a genial chap to talk to. I put forward my doubts, and we finally chose the calibre. He was fully booked, but would add me in his diary, and let me know. However, I was to understand this might take a year to start.

Winter 2007. I spent the next few months browsing through the mecca for airgunners in England….airgunbbs, Till I found what I was looking for. A shabby, unkempt MkI, which still worked. Not surprisingly, the price was throwaway.

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa24 ... basic4.jpg

As someone who has graduated up from the National series, I have seen some pretty harsh experiences. But this was something else. It did take a while to get used to. However, the trigger was still not what I'd expected, and the cocking action was designed to give you a hernia. It shot well though, which is all I was interested in.

Spring 2008. After months of searching, I select a stockmaker. V mach does not do stocks anymore, Maccari only produces a yearly "special" which, I wasn't sure would fit a MK I. I skip Andrea Gentilini/Ginb, since I have a pair of their stocks already. Which narrows it down to custom stocks of Sheffield, who carve out a standard sporter in Grade III Walnut.
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa24 ... ock001.jpg
The finish was not earth shattering, but I could deal with that later. The wood, however, was splendid.

Autumn, 2008. I finally get the long awaited e mail from Steve. He is ready for the gun. I send the stock across as well and ask him if he can improve it. He looked at it, and agreed to a refinish and a re checker.

Winter, 2008. The first pics are released. Steve shows me the engraving.
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa24 ... 013415.jpg
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa24 ... 013418.jpg
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa24 ... 013417.jpg
Also, he leaves an area between the engraved scrolls near the breech empty where he would have embossed the V mach logo, and asks me if I want my name engraved there.
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa24 ... 013413.jpg
I discuss the option with my friends. The answers range from sensible to the frankly unprintable. Finally, we settle for the original plan, and the V mach logo is embossed. I toy with the idea of a gold escutcheon on the stock and then give up. It’s low on carats and high on price

Spring 2009, the metalwork is almost finished. The work on the stock starts. It takes a painful six months to do, during which time Steve quells my restlessness by regular updates ("the fore end checkering is done and looks great").

Late Summer 2009, The rifle is complete!! However, because of barrel droop, he fits in droop compensation mounts, takes it for a test run at 40 yards, and is pleased with the result. "I hate to see it go", he writes, "but I shall relieve you of some money to cushion the impact".

Two weeks ago...We agree on the final bills, and I pay him. He couriers the rifle for a scheduled arrival at Friday morning, but my wife misses the delivery man by ten minutes.

I turn up from work, all eager, hoping to find a large parcel and am met by an excuse and a "we missed you" note. World War 3 erupts in my house.

After a hours chasing the parcel throughout Cambridge, it is finally delivered the next day. A Simla agreement is signed at home, peace finally reigns, and the parcel is joyfully opened.

The pictures do not do the gun justice, I must sorrowfully confess. At the risk of blowing my cover of modesty, I have to declare I found it a beauty to behold and pure springer heaven. The cocking is easy, the recoil is tempered, the trigger is silk, and the accuracy spot on.

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa24 ... C_0011.jpg
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa24 ... C_0012.jpg
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa24 ... C_0013.jpg
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa24 ... C_0015.jpg
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa24 ... C_0016.jpg
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa24 ... C_0018.jpg
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa24 ... C_0019.jpg
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa24 ... C_0020.jpg
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa24 ... C_0008.jpg

details of the final engraving..
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa24 ... C_0006.jpg

including the contentious breech scrolls..
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa24 ... C_0005.jpg

plus, an engraved brass trigger guard for those screamingly blingy moods..
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa24 ... C_0007.jpg
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa24 ... C_0002.jpg

in it’s current stable..
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa24 ... C_0001.jpg

For the eternally curious, here is an extract from the bill (minus the money)

“…As discussed, here is the breakdown for the work carried out on your HW80:-
V-Glide conversion:
Shortened and straightened barrel to 13":
5.5" RACE muzzle brake inc internals:
Engraving:
Reblue:
Logo etching:
VM Set back trigger:
Trigger guard replacement factory (the original guard was worn and it seemed inappropriate to refit, this can be removed):
OP25 droop compensating mounts:
Stock rechequering and refinishing…”

Bolo Pope Ji Ki Jai!!!

[Sakobav]

Pope ji Ki Jai Hamiclair encore

Congrats she looks like a killer and great write up

Best

[Vikram]

Anand,

I am occasionally prone to customary hyperboles.But not this time.This is easily the best air rifle I have seen so far.There might be more expensively done and pretty ones.But, this looks awesome.Taste is about refinement.You,my friend, have it in abundance.Congratulations. And the narration is delectable.

Steve Pope is an artist.

Best-
Vikram

[Prabhath]

Great looking airgun Hamiclair. This is one thing I am sure you will cherish and enjoy to your heart's content for ages. Awesome write up and pics too. Sitting out here in India, I do envy you but also glad that atleast someone out there has access to such great stuff. All the best and happy plinking.

[tirths]

Oh Man! It would surely be a pleasure to touch!

[kanwar76]

That is one awesome looking HW80. I have shot Rusty's venomised HW80 and I know what it feels to shoot one but this takes the cake in looks department also. Wood is pretty great even better than the Gnibs you got there

Congrats Anand, you are one lucky chap

-Inder

[hamiclar01]

Thanks gents.

Rest assured, if and when I manage to get this back home, you're all free to have a go.

[eljefe]

Jai Ho ! Great wordsmithing and pics.She's a beut.