HW/Weihrauch Weihrauch 125 Years 1899 Limited Editions

[maxtrouble]

Krale has the limited edition 97k and 50s up for sale. I also noticed a .20 97k blue laminate up as well.

Weihrauch HW97 KT - 125 Years 1899 Limited Edition

This Weihrauch HW97 KT – 125 Years 1899 Limited Edition features a unique colour scheme to celebrate the company’s 125th anniversary.

www.krale.shop

Weihrauch HW50 S - 125 Years 1899 Limited Edition

This Weihrauch HW50 S – 125 Years 1899 Limited Edition is a beautifully remade version of Weihrauch’s very first break barrel rifle.

www.krale.shop

 

[beerthief]

I will leave these to the collectors, if i bought one i would order a custom walnut stock for it .

 

[crowski]

Have a HW50 .22 on order with AoA. I like red. Crow
That 97 is to die for.

 

[oOmpH]

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but I'd need sunglasses and a fake mustache to be seen with that.

 

[wsjones]

Yeah, for me the 50 with a classic old school stock, in walnut, would have had me reaching for my wallet.

 

[thumper]

Yuck. And I thought the blue ones were ugly

 

[oOmpH]

Yeah, for me the 50 with a classic old school stock, in walnut, would have had me reaching for my wallet.

With you. For a 125th anniversary, would also have preferred a more vintage aesthetic that truly harkens back to the earliest versions of the '50 and '97 models, slightly updated for today's shooter, with modern internals. Not saying the '50 should be a smooth bore or lack a Rekord trigger . A collaboration with a tuning company like V-Mach would have been exciting too, really diving into that heritage vibe and paying homage to the fans who tried to make the rifles even better. Some Don Blocksidge/Venom-style engraving would have been a nice touch. And yes, a beautifully finished walnut version with a striking grain.

There's nothing here that embodies 125 years of making some of the greatest air rifles.

The red and black color scheme, on the other hand, reminds me of a less popular period in German history.

 

[Mycapt65]

With you. For a 125th anniversary, would also have preferred a more vintage aesthetic that truly harkens back to the earliest versions of the '50 and '97 models, slightly updated for today's shooter, with modern internals. Not saying the '50 should be a smooth bore or lack a Rekord trigger . A collaboration with a tuning company like V-Mach would have been exciting too, really diving into that heritage vibe and paying homage to the fans who tried to make the rifles even better. Some Don Blocksidge/Venom-style engraving would have been a nice touch. And yes, a beautifully finished walnut version with a striking grain.

There's nothing here that embodies 125 years of making some of the greatest air rifles.

The red and black color scheme, on the other hand, reminds me of a less popular period in German history.

I thought V Mach was defunct?
I'm ok with their model selections. The current 50 and 97 are fine rifles. I believe its customary for Weihrauch to use Laminated stocks on their anniversary and special edition rifles.

Many purist don't like laminated stocks. I do. They are very practical and outperform traditional hardwood stocks and most all synthetic stocks.

Depending on the cut and the color I like the way laminated stocks look, . I don't particularly care for the red. I understand visual appeal is purely subjective and my opinion is completely irrelevant. I can only say I won't be buying a 125th anniversary rifle.

Currently Weihrauch has alot of QC issues I wish they would address before celebrating anything.

 

[oOmpH]

I thought V Mach was defunct?

I don't recall all the details, but I believe Webley owned the V-Mach brand but as far as i know left it defunct, think they sold some tuning kit rights to Air Joe in Germany, they do replicas of the original kits. Midcounties Blacking, a UK gun store, took over the name and trademark. They now operate as Venom Customs, offering tuning and customization services in the spirit of the original Venom team. They occasionally showcase their work on their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/profile/100046466026052/search/?q=venom

That said, I would've loved to see more thought put into the 125th-anniversary editions. While there's nothing wrong with laminate stocks, such a significant milestone deserves a design that truly captures the company's heritage.

Consider long-established brands like Levi's. When they release an anniversary edition, they often create a replica of an early 501 jeans or denim jacket with a modern twist, blending old and new to capture the brand's history. They don't just release a modern jean in a special limited-edition color—that wouldn't honor the years of history being celebrated. Maybe it's a quirky example, but you get the idea.

No doubt, the rifles are fantastic, and many will undoubtedly love and cherish their special edition, which is what truly matters. For me, though, it feels like a missed opportunity to do something a tad more special.

 

[maxtrouble]

I think it is great they are doing something to celebrate, 125 years is a long time for a company to be in business. I have noticed on Krale that they have much more Weihrauch stock lately, even some unicorn .20 calibers. I think Covid was a dark time for them like the rest of us. It looks like they are picking up steam in a good way. I wish them all the best and I hope they continue to improve.

@Mycapt65 - have you ever sent Weihrauch an email about their quality control? I bet you have plenty of examples to send to them! Maybe you could get a QC gig with them

 

[Mycapt65]

I don't recall all the details, but I believe Webley owned the V-Mach brand but as far as i know left it defunct, think they sold some tuning kit rights to Air Joe in Germany, they do replicas of the original kits. Nowadays, Midcounties Blacking, a UK gun store, took over the name and trademark. They now operate as Venom Customs, offering tuning and customization services in the spirit of the original Venom team. They occasionally showcase their work on their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/profile/100046466026052/search/?q=venom

That said, I would've loved to see more thought put into the 125th-anniversary editions. While there's nothing wrong with laminate stocks, such a significant milestone deserves a design that truly captures the company's heritage.

Consider long-established brands like Levi's. When they release an anniversary edition, they often create a replica of an early 501 jeans or denim jacket with a modern twist, blending old and new to capture the brand's history. They don't just release a modern jean in a special limited-edition color—that wouldn't honor the years of history being celebrated. Maybe it's a quirky example, but you get the idea.

No doubt, the rifles are fantastic, and many will undoubtedly love and cherish their special edition, which is what truly matters. For me, though, it feels like a missed opportunity to do something a tad more special.

Thanks for the background on the V Mach stuff. I wasn't aware of any of transitions.

I totally understand your feelings about wanting a more traditional anniversary edition. You make perfect sense. Whether or not it makes sense to Weihrauch marketing is a different story.

Weihrauch has a long history of stagnant mechanical design. When changes come they usually for an entire model family. The only thing that's really changed on them in the last decade is the stock designs. And most people here balk at those changes. I'm about 50/50 on them. I do have to say I like the traditional Goudy stocks. I'd love a 77 in one. Or even one to plop my 97 in.

In the long run I think that it's just cheaper and easier for them to change the wood than the metal.

 

[Mycapt65]

I think it is great they are doing something to celebrate, 125 years is a long time for a company to be in business. I have noticed on Krale that they have much more Weihrauch stock lately, even some unicorn .20 calibers. I think Covid was a dark time for them like the rest of us. It looks like they are picking up steam in a good way. I wish them all the best and I hope they continue to improve.

@Mycapt65 - have you ever sent Weihrauch an email about their quality control? I bet you have plenty of examples to send to them! Maybe you could get a QC gig with them

Thanks for the compliment. Im sure they get enough feedback from the vendors returns and warranty claims. It's probably already been calculated into Weihrauchs profits verses expenses. Frankly you can only ride on a good name for so long before it bites you in the ass. Hopefully they get their poop together.
Poop? I didn't type poop. What are we children?

 

[oOmpH]

Thanks for the background on the V Mach stuff. I wasn't aware of any of transitions.

I totally understand your feelings about wanting a more traditional anniversary edition. You make perfect sense. Whether or not it makes sense to Weihrauch marketing is a different story.

Weihrauch has a long history of stagnant mechanical design. When changes come they usually for an entire model family. The only thing that's really changed on them in the last decade is the stock designs. And most people here balk at those changes. I'm about 50/50 on them. I do have to say I like the traditional Goudy stocks. I'd love a 77 in one. Or even one to plop my 97 in.

In the long run I think that it's just cheaper and easier for them to change the wood than the metal.

Yeah, you’re probably right. I’m not a marketing expert, just a fan with too high expectations.

 

[Wildcatter]

I like laminated stocks but the red and black I don't particularly favor over traditional wood grain. I love the Green camo laminate my special edition has. But really, for an anniversary stock. This is not sutibale in my opinion. This was the perfect time to bring the Walnut back, and justify the high price at the same time.

Walnut because it is lighter than the laminate, it draws less moisture than the beech or the laminate, and is what made traditional rifles a step above the ordinary for decades.

I think they offer this anniversary edition in the HW77K, and their PCP offering as well.

125 Years Weihrauch - Weihrauch Sport

Our history We are proud to be celebrating our 125-year family tradition in 2024. Hermann Weihrauch laid the cornerstone in Zella St. Blasii in 1899. He quickly established a name for himself with high-quality hunting rifles and was able toRead more

www.weihrauch-sport.de

 

[PaulK62]

I don't have a problem with the color or look of the anniversary HW50. However, I do prefer the anniversary 97K, expensive though it is. I never warmed up to the current HW thumbhole stocks. In particular, the teardrop-shaped cheekpiece just didn't do it for me. But the new Minelli-designed anniversary thumbhole stock, with its more angled cheekpiece, looks terrific, and in my opinion, it's kind of sexy in black and red.

 

[beerthief]

I don't recall all the details, but I believe Webley owned the V-Mach brand but as far as i know left it defunct, think they sold some tuning kit rights to Air Joe in Germany, they do replicas of the original kits. Midcounties Blacking, a UK gun store, took over the name and trademark. They now operate as Venom Customs, offering tuning and customization services in the spirit of the original Venom team. They occasionally showcase their work on their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/profile/100046466026052/search/?q=venom

That said, I would've loved to see more thought put into the 125th-anniversary editions. While there's nothing wrong with laminate stocks, such a significant milestone deserves a design that truly captures the company's heritage.

Consider long-established brands like Levi's. When they release an anniversary edition, they often create a replica of an early 501 jeans or denim jacket with a modern twist, blending old and new to capture the brand's history. They don't just release a modern jean in a special limited-edition color—that wouldn't honor the years of history being celebrated. Maybe it's a quirky example, but you get the idea.

No doubt, the rifles are fantastic, and many will undoubtedly love and cherish their special edition, which is what truly matters. For me, though, it feels like a missed opportunity to do something a tad more special.

If they had to use a laminate stock a walnut and birch special use one time laminate would have been better .

 

[Greenarrow]

Fantastic! I love one of each.

 

[oOmpH]

I don't have a problem with the color or look of the anniversary HW50. However, I do prefer the anniversary 97K, expensive though it is. I never warmed up to the current HW thumbhole stocks. In particular, the teardrop-shaped cheekpiece just didn't do it for me. But the new Minelli-designed anniversary thumbhole stock, with its more angled cheekpiece, looks terrific, and in my opinion, it's kind of sexy in black and red.

Agree, aside from the color, I think the stock design looks pretty sleek.

 

[oOmpH]

If they had to use a laminate stock a walnut and birch special use one time laminate would have been better .

I totally get the benefits of a laminate rifle stock over classic wood or synthetic options. But I'm a sucker for nostalgia. Love companies with rich histories, and it's even better when they create special anniversary editions that capture that heritage. They did not. That's my only comment.

 

[Mycapt65]

Walnut because it is lighter than the laminate, it draws less moisture than the beech or the laminate, and is what made traditional rifles a step above the ordinary for decades.

Say what??? How does walnut draw less moisture than laminate? Laminate is epoxy impregnated under tons of pressure. There's no room for moisture.

Only solid plastic stocks and metal chassis' are less suseptible to moisture than laminate stocks. For all intensive reasons laminate stocks might as well be a solid synthetic.

I will agree walnut is lighter. Hey if you don't like laminate stocks that's fine with me, but don't make up bs about them.