Air Rifle Headquarters

[readyfisher9]

I am referring to Robert Law's old company , long gone in Grantsville , WV. Unlike a lot of guys back in the 1970's (1979 in my case) I read Robert's info on European spring powered air guns and had to have one. Expensive at the time , I spent over $300 for a Deluxe version Feinwerkbau 124D , with a Bushnell 3X9 scope , leather sling , and trigger shoe. Probably near the price of a Remington BDL rifle. But once it showed up I was truly amazed at the power and accuracy. Mr. Law's claims were right on the mark. I still have it , it looks like new and shoots great with a new spring and seal. Only sad thing , is ARH had a super version of the FWB 124 called the F120-CX. Different stock and more refined. How I wished I had bought that one ! Now , has anyone had one , or now have one of the mighty F120's ? The forearm's were thicker top to bottom so that there was not the customary slit for the cocking linkage. I have two of the catalogs from the era , and they claimed it was a big seller. Only ARH had them , not Beeman , who sold many more of the FWB 124 series , and probably finally put the doom to ARH's in the later 1980's as far as I know. 

 

[Wadcutter]

The 120 had a beautiful custom high grade walnut stock with a slick epoxy finish and "accurized" internals. Don't see them for sale very often.

 

[Atlas_Shrug]

I have seen and held three of the F-120 rifles. Two have the stock normally shown in the catalog, one is a thumbhole stock.

I will try to round up photographs of them and post them here.

 

[Atlas_Shrug]

Got ‘em!

 

[kingfisher61]

Those are some awesome 124s!! I have never seen a TH stock on one before.

I recently purchased a stock identical to those in the pictures. It is unfinished. I was told it came from the old ARH. I had no idea how rare it is. It is Myrtle according to the seller. 

Thanks for the valuable information! 

 

[Atlas_Shrug]

That’s the only thumb hole stock I’ve ever seen myself. There may be more - who knows!?

The unfinished version is probably from the new ARH - Jim Maccari. A few years ago he was selling reproduction F-120 stocks based of the original pattern(s). Some/most were sold unfinished IIRC. I think he only sold them for a brief period.

So it’s likely ARH, but the new one. Awesome either way.

BTW, that thumb hole stock REALLY feels good in the shoulder - so natural.

Cheers,

AS

 

[Atlas_Shrug]

Here is another look at the thumb hole stock.

 

[kingfisher61]

That is a mighty fine stock! Tons of figure and I'm sure your right about the fit.

The stock I bought has to be one of those replica versions. But you're right. ..still cool. I have a RL Sport 124 in mint condition. Going to be finding itself with a new set of clothes!

Are those Rosewood caps?

 

[Atlas_Shrug]

Good plan on that stock. I was tempted to get one from Maccari when I saw them some years back, as I also have a late model FWB-124 with plain Jane stock and figured that would be the best way to make a good shooter and not risk a collectible gun. Alas, I waited too long and they were gone (I was busy and had money in those days, now mostly reversed ;-) ).

And yes, I believe all have rosewood pistol grip caps.

 

[MP44]

I spent many an hour drooling over the FWB124s in the ARH and Beeman catalogs when I was a kid.

 

[kingfisher61]

I got very lucky. Right place, right time. I'm thrilled to find our so much about it! Thanks again for your awesome input. You should write a book! No joke. 

It looks like you are correct about the caps. Looks like Holly spacers too. I think I can get that done. What do you think about some nice checking? ?

John

 

[Houli]

Checkering - Yes indeed! A very fine, sharp, hand cut, four panel cut checkering. I have been impressed by the checkering jobs I've seen on Scott Blaires rifles as well as some of yours John. I even prefer A five panel checkering on some rifles but think the four panel on the 124 would be more graceful and not so busy, just my take. I would however never second guess you as I think you have impeccable taste in airguns.

Cheers

 

[kingfisher61]

Thanks Mike! 

I'm inclined to agree. 4 panels would be the way to go. I have some ideas based on some other designs I've been checking out. Definitely going to add Rosewood cap and Holly spacers.

 

[Brislee]

Do any of you guys own one of the newer FWB sport rifles? And if so are they just newer versions of the original, or is it a different gun altogether? 

 

[JohnL57]

I stretched the budget to get one of the plainer 124 'sport' models-for about 2 weeks there was a bargain source for Beeman marked 124s in Shotgun News before Doc Beeman shut them down. I don't recall if it was ARH or another seller (we're talking 1981 or 1982 here)
Sold it to raise funds for an HW55m which I still have.

 

[kingfisher61]

Brislee

Sport is a whole new version. It's a nice rifle, but the consensus is that it's overpriced. Personally, I prefer the old style 124D. You can get a nice one for half the cost of a new Sport.

 

[Houli]

Champion Choice has the new fwb sport for $570, reasonable price when compared to others offerings of $735 and $799. That price of $570 has been on their web site for over two years if I'm recalling correctly.

Hey John you got a real nice fwb 124D for $300? LOL. I know, I know, no one likes a smart arse.

One day I would like to add the new fwb sport to the herd of fwb's to round out the collection. The old FWB's are hard to beat, one of my favorites if not the favorite.

Cheers

 

[kingfisher61]

Brislee

Sport is a whole new version. It's a nice rifle, but the consensus is that it's overpriced. Personally, I prefer the old style 124D. You can get a nice one for half the cost of a new Sport.

 

[JohnL57]

Houli-If I remember right my 124 sport was around $150 out of the Shotgun News ad-it was a lot less than Beeman was selling them for and he shut them down within a week or so. The Sport was the plain stock version with no butt pad or checkering.

I was too broke to afford a scope and set mine up with a Williams peep-put a lot of ground squirrels to sleep with that setup.

 

[Houli]

Hello John,

Yep money was tight back then but made for a proud day when we brought home our first real gun! I remember graduating from BB gun to a crossman 180. Only being able to afford one gun allowed us to become very efficient with it.

My 124D I have scoped and is acorn accurate out fo 50 yards on a good day. My sport, std model, I like shooting with iron sights but can only plink with it, no groups due to poor old eyes. Have thought of mounting a peep sight to improve my shooting but in reality probably wouldn't help much. The sport with iron sights sure does balance nice. Air guns in general are fun but the fwb's have my heart.

Cheers

D