I remember just like yesterday when I saw this gun in an 80's Gun Digest. It looked so awesome I had to have one. The day came and I acquired two HR81's and two HR83's. The first were the .22 HR81's. I installed a BKL riser with an SS-2 scope. Problem was the scope was too high, but had to clear the permanent front sight. Was not too thrilled with the trigger either - think it was plastic. Anyway, sold the HR81's after that experience since my chin had to sit on the cheek piece. Grouped incredibly well though. This specimen does not have a ding or scratch in it - cannot believe it myself. Has been sitting in a safe for who knows how long.
That’s a really lovely example! Those were such beautiful and uniquely-designed air rifles, and so well-made and finished. I always admired them but never managed to acquire one.
I always felt like they sorta fell victim to the power-mad mindset of the time. You could buy more powerful and lighter guns for less money, which mattered more to the average buyer at the time. That was the Sterling’s death knell.
Sonnysan - Once again you have come through with a fine example of wood and steel airgun history. Your collection of interesting springers is quite amazing.
Ron Hutchinson was and interesting designer and, apparently, quite an oddball. His creations were sold by various companies, including Park and Sterling.
My own 81 is in .20 was sold by Benjamin. The box is marked "made in USA", but I think that means "assembled" as the deep bluing looks very British. It does, however, wear a Williams peep sight.
Agree with MD that it probably didn't agree with American tastes at the time and likely fell victim to the Benjamin/Sheridan/Crosman mess.
Thanks for sharing and please keep combing through that safe!
I remember buying a non-working Sterling at an airgun show several years ago. I just thought it was so pretty that I had to get it shooting again. As I recall, JM had a seal that worked, and the ubiquitous Merlin spring was a perfect fit. It was a heavy gun, but didn't feel that way when shouldered. Near perfect balance. Were it not for the nearly impossible-to-find front sight parts, I would still own that gun. Seeing yours, I really miss mine.
Actually, I rather like the rifles...although they have quirks.
Question: the one I bought had "Sheridan" stamped along with the Sterning stamps...evnidely they were sold here, for at least a short time, under that logo.
Quirk #1: Probably the worlds longest bolt on an airgun (and it would give centerfires a run for the money for that matter). That's a seriously long bolt.
Quirk #2: Also runs a really long main spring. It's rather under stressed, but gives it a tendency to "twang" a bit.
Quirk #3: The trigger/safety system.
For all that (and the lower speed), it would shoot quite well for me.
Good find....good rifle.
I have a British Sterling Armament Co HR81 in .22... bought it in 2002 from my local airgun shop (sadly no longer around), when the owner bought up several, and went through them all cleaning and lubing them... it looked so cool, and I knew I couldn't find a better example, so I had to buy it.
I didn't really shoot it much after I bought it, so I got it out a few weeks ago.
I had a Beeman 5823 aperture sight with a Merit Iris Sight Disc, so I removed most of the original rear sight to use it... the front sight cannot be removed so an aperture sight is pretty much ideal for the rifle... I found various photos on the net that showed the Sheridan model being sold with an aperture sight... I saved, labeled, took photos, and bagged the parts of the rear sight that I removed.
Shot some old Eley Wasps and Silver bears... the 14.45 gr Wasps shot an average of about 600 fps... the Silver Bears (12.65 gr) shot about 656 fps... both with pretty decent accuracy in my indoor 42' range.
I think it's a great air rifle... not crazy about the original front and rear sights, but it is what it is.
Here's a few photos...
