I bought this Santa Rosa new for my wife over 35 years ago. Don't you wish they still made stocks like that? Still mint and I still have the box. And her. My Huntington Beach R7 and HW30 are jealous.
This is what she bought me for Christmas the next year. I didn't use it much I have 3 others. LNIB
After seeing some of your other treasures in another post, you are clearly a man who enjoys quality! Good job on keeping such great care too. The R7 is gorgeous.
I'm not of the school that they don't make them like they used to, but I agree that they certainly don't do OEM wood like they used to! There were more options when Doc B. was still at the helm IIRC. Love him or hate him, he brought much to us all. Wouldn't it be great to order a Weichrauch, English Webley(RIP) etc. with select or special wood? The only OEM European air rifle (Except AA) that I'm aware of in a choice of walnut, for example, is the HW35 E. I'd like to own one of those beauties (35 E) but I can't justify it fitting into my personal niche(yet lol).
Anyone feel free to correct me here, but hasn't the top level manufacturers still in existence gotten better with tighter tolerances with modern machining?
Straitflite, I don't know how much machining from the older stuff has changed but I've had some great leather sealed airguns. Still have a few. And wish I'd kept some I sold.
But yeah, the HW 35 is one air rifle which still wears one of the classic stock shapes I love.
KWK, those are awesome! I love my HW55 but it isn't pristine anymore. None of my airguns are pristine anymore. Worn but not abused.
You have one awesome wife. Mine said she'll sell my entire collection quickly if I kick off first. Even my immediate family are against them too, so I'm truly the black sheep.
Better change your will to designate who will get your airguns. I volunteer, but I'll probably beat you to Jesus.
Ha! I'm familiar with that family tone in regards to my airgun hobby, but my 'peoples' always seem to do what they want. Constantly eating out, road trips going to places that would bore me, casinos which I hate etc. They manage to spend money without too much difficulty LOL. I'm at the age where I'll do what I want and don't give 2 toots who likes it -and they know that.
I'll leave it all to my brother who loves expensive powder burners.... He will find out what he has been missing(so I tell myself) He takes great care of all he owns.
