SLR 98

[Airgunmanart]

Howdy, I just found this gun last week. An old friend had it and decided it was time to let go.

What's the old saying, at right place at the right time. 

Oh prior to that same guy I got a Beeman Daul Magnum. I have heard about both of the guns, never seen or held one. Must be the honest airgunman I am. Yes that's the tail gate of my Canyon. 

 

[Lewis]

Great finds, both.

 

[cavedweller]

Wow

 

[RM100GUY]

Dosn't get any better than that in airguns!!! Do they still shoot/function properly? Please post additional pictures!!! Congrats!!!

 

[DualMagMike]

Nice finds, I enjoy the same rifles.

Beeman & Theoben DM's

Thumbhole rifle & sporter carbine 98's

 

[kingfisher61]

Art

You lucky lucky bastage!!!! You certainly did well.......as always! ! I'll be happy to take the SLR once you get tired of it. Lol

JC

 

[AirSupply]

Two beauties! Great to see these guns popping up. Thanks for sharing. According to the guy that sold 40 Dual Magnums here in Australia the “Blonde Laminate” where the last batch he received from Theoben. 
If that’s correct yours should have a latter serial number. Would you mind sharing the serial number. 
Michael

 

[Airgunmanart]

Sure, it is number 44.

 

[DualMagMike]

The blonde laminates were the Beeman stamped versions of the DM's, the darker stocks from what I have and have seen were marked Theoben. Sn 44 would still be pretty low, my Beeman is about double that and my Theoben a little lower.

 

[Fischer]

The safety is the same on my 1999 Theoben .25 Eliminator.

An M-14 or sort of GI safety.

I had remembered these rifles when they came out for some time and forgot about them.

However, I think these have resemblance to original Eliminators of all calibers which originally were .20, .22, and .25.

I had them all but the .25 is the only one I have left and still use to really kill a target!

 

[JAMz]

Awesome! Congrats!

 

[DualMagMike]

Originally were .177 & .22, .20 and .25 came a bit later like most AG's.

 

[AirSupply]

Well there goes that theory! What Mike is saying makes sense as my dark laminate is no 60. 
Hope you enjoy shooting your Theoben they look great. 
If you are interested there is quite a lot of information on the Theoben’s on the “ Air Guns Australia” Facebook page. Old articles and brochures from that time. Thanks for sharing your serial no. Someone should start a registry and see how many DM’s we can track down. 
Michael

 

[Airgunmanart]

Micheal, just clarify, my Theoben is a Beeman label serial number 60. The Theoben SLR 98 is serial number 44.The Beeman is a Safe Queen, I was trying to take it apart to clean it. The forearm screws are very tight. I'll have to soak the screws with some break free, and try again.

Thank you for the info on the Australian Airguns FB page. 

Art Burciaga ( Airgunmanart)

 

[AirSupply]

 Sorry went and checked and mine is Theoben marked and no 040. Can’t believe of all the numbers I got it wrong and with your serial no! What are the odds. (About 104/1)
I haven’t taken the stock off my gun but was warned to not try and cock the gun out of the stock. Apparently it’s quite dangerous to do so. 
I also learned you can remove the loading port and this gives you access to the barrel for cleaning. You just pull the port straight up. Just be very careful not to lose the small spring and ball bearing that locates it in the action. Then you can use a normal pull through to clean the barrel. 
The original lube Theoben used is amazing stuff. It lasts decades! You must be careful with any lube you use and don’t want to use anything that might find it’s way into the gas ram. The gas rams just do not need to be lubricated at all. Avoid all silicon anywhere on the gun. 
Sorry to ramble on if this is stuff you are already aware of. 

Theoben Dual Magnum no 040

 

[Airgunmanart]

Beautiful, yes Mike and were talking about NOT to cock the action out off the stock.

Well I'm happy to say I've had one of each.See y'all at the Nationals. 

 

[Fischer]

Sorry went and checked and mine is Theoben marked and no 040. Can’t believe of all the numbers I got it wrong and with your serial no! What are the odds. (About 104/1)
I haven’t taken the stock off my gun but was warned to not try and cock the gun out of the stock. Apparently it’s quite dangerous to do so. 
I also learned you can remove the loading port and this gives you access to the barrel for cleaning. You just pull the port straight up. Just be very careful not to lose the small spring and ball bearing that locates it in the action. Then you can use a normal pull through to clean the barrel. 
The original lube Theoben used is amazing stuff. It lasts decades! You must be careful with any lube you use and don’t want to use anything that might find it’s way into the gas ram. The gas rams just do not need to be lubricated at all. Avoid all silicon anywhere on the gun. 
Sorry to ramble on if this is stuff you are already aware of. 

Theoben Dual Magnum no 040

This is what I have in Eliminator without the underlever. 

In mine the serial number for the Theoben Eliminator made in England is TB 16860.

Then the "underlever" HW98 came later but I never went there to the underlever despite all the rave at the time.

It is the same reason I have only two underlevers working today out of 4 underlevers by HW. HW57 in .22 blew out the pellet inserter and the the HW97KT in .20 is not accurate or nearly as accurate as an HW50S in .20. The underlevers have too much fuss and weight for me. Way too much. So I never will get another. 

I'd rather another Theoben Eliminator with Dampa Mounts and a Weaver V-16 Dot Reticle that I have now and have had since 1999 working perfectly and properly beyond any other air rifle I ever purchased.



I got it still and never regret having spent over a grand at the time for it!

Monetarily, economically, prudently, and honestly posited,

John

 

[DualMagMike]

The Dual Magnum is nothing at all like an Eliminator with an underlever. DM's are many, many times more rare and capable of considerably more power plus the unique ability to fire at 2 different power levels by cocking once or twice.

 

[AirSupply]

 The Theoben’s were expensive in there day for sure and the Eliminator looks like a great rifle. Over 20years without a problem is testament to there quality. 
Hope you get many more years of pleasure from it.

Dont give up on the underlevers! 

 

[Barenger]

Theoben Dual Magnum #007