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All Springer/NP/PCP Air Gun Discussion General => Vintage Air Gun Gate => Topic started by: airnutz on June 02, 2012, 03:38:33 PM

Title: Walther LG 55 Match Rifle
Post by: airnutz on June 02, 2012, 03:38:33 PM
Hello folks!

Anyone ever shot one of these?

This piece is from the mid 60's, and it's in mint condition.  The Stock is flawless, and the bluing is without pits or rust.

It's about as perfect as an old air rifle can be.

Enjoy.
Title: Re: Walther LG 55 Match Rifle
Post by: Motorhead on June 02, 2012, 03:56:37 PM
Nope ... but SWEET find never the less !!
Title: Re: Walther LG 55 Match Rifle
Post by: VAFarmer on June 02, 2012, 11:44:02 PM
Yes. 

They are in the running for nearly all category bests....best shooting, best looking, best balancing...AND they have a very nice low weight(comparatively speaking, sorry)  ;)

You have a very special piece there.....might I ask ~ how much in it?

I am in a strange place right now.....with my "target" rifle.   I have a 953 that I have done a fair amount of work to, and it shoots lights out.  My kids love shooting it also.  But I have been wanting a nice classic.
It is a toss up between one of these, a Diana 75, or an FWB 300 or 300s.   Maybe next year.....

But very nice gun, sir.   IIWY, I would not let it leave my collection.   They are getting harder to find.

God bless,

Farmer
Title: Re: Walther LG 55 Match Rifle
Post by: airnutz on June 03, 2012, 01:14:30 AM
Thanks Farmer....I got the gun on a trade.  I have a gun buddy that is nuts about HW's, and I told him about how unhappy I was with the recent bum deal I got on a HW 55s, and he said he will take it if it shoots strong.  It does.  He brought over this Walther and I had to have it, so we traded.  I'll reblue the old HW, and he'll redo the wood.

The Walthers are to me just plain outrageous.  There aren't many left, and the Walnut ones are all but gone and hidden in Collector's Cabinets.  Mine is a real decent beechwood Model. The Diopter alone is a collector's item, with the silver sleeve on it, allowing for a little closer magnification.  Very rare.

This one weighs a ton.  It is the heaviest LG I've ever run across.  The barrel sleeve weighs about a pound, and there is a huge lead weight in the stock where your left hand is placed, so this makes for the well balanced feel.

My buddy brought along for the fun of it, a FWB 150 with a Walnut Stock.  I've never shot anything like this gun, and it is next on my list....simply amazing.

So, for me the next ones are a FWB 150, and a Diana 60 or 65, both from the mid 60's.  A recoilless Match Rifle is the smoothest shooter, period.

Lots of FWB 300s Models to be had still, so grab one if you can.

I will not get rid of this Walther, it is that nice.

Greeting from Germany, take care.
Title: Re: Walther LG 55 Match Rifle
Post by: Tom @ Buzzard Bluff on June 03, 2012, 01:54:34 AM
Hello Rob't,

 "Anyone ever shot one of these?"

 Indeed I have. More years ago than I care to admit someone who had imported a batch of them from a German club or carnival was trying to dump the remaining culls at the Little Rock airgun show. I bought enough to build 2 complete rifles. Both were terminally ugly but shot exactly as you expect a Walther to shoot even though the # of rounds down the pipe probably exceeded the total of modern sporter air rifles on the order of 10-100/1.
Over the years (and the pellets!) both the barrel and the trigger just got better. The trigger on the LG-55 remaining in my stable is the one to which all others are compared. No contest to date!

 FWIW-----IIRC the cast lead weight in the fore-arm weighs @ 1 1/4#---or a bit less than a half kilo.                      HTH, Tom
Title: Re: Walther LG 55 Match Rifle
Post by: airnutz on June 03, 2012, 01:19:26 PM
Tom, that's an interesting story, and I'm impressed to hear the gun is still going strong, and that you still have it.  I have to get used to the weight though, this is one gun that you just don't pick up and shoot at something with, heck I need both arms just to lift the thing out of the corner where it stands.   ;D

Not even the wood on the bottom of the shaft has a flaw, somebody took very good care of it, for sure.

Robert
Title: Re: Walther LG 55 Match Rifle
Post by: ac12 on June 03, 2012, 04:07:24 PM
Robert
If you are shooting it in the standing position, check the stance.  The wrong stance will make it so much harder to hold the rifle than the correct stance.  When I first started 10m AR, I had trouble holding a FWB300, after I got some coaching I had no problem holding it.  It was all technique.

Farmer
Wait till you want all 3 of the classic spring match rifles: FWB 300, Anschutz LG-380, and the Diana 75.
Title: Re: Walther LG 55 Match Rifle
Post by: Tom @ Buzzard Bluff on June 04, 2012, 12:08:39 AM
"I have to get used to the weight though, this is one gun that you just don't pick up and shoot at something with,----"
**********************************************************
 Ah but there's more than a little madness in my methods-----

 By buying (cheap!) a couple of old misused, abused and truly rough rifles so far gone that they weren't economically feasible to restore the door was left wide to re-purpose them. Which is what I did. After seeing to mechanical repair I put them on a diet. Are you familiar with the terms. 'urban sniper', 'bird-feeder gun' or 'stealth garden gun'?

 Anyone who thinks an R-7 is the ultimate urban sniper should consider an older, high quality 10 meter rifle instead!   Tom
Title: Re: Walther LG 55 Match Rifle
Post by: airnutz on June 04, 2012, 01:40:41 AM
 ;D, stealth garden gun.  I like this one.

Yes Tom, I think maybe I'm a little odd, I just don't want a new gun.  Give me an old air rifle with character and built-in precision that needs some work to make it nice again, nice blue metal and an oil polished stock.  I like 'em!

I made a mistake by shooting an old FWB 150.  gracious!  My next gun.  I think I can Stealth the neighbor's yard too.

Title: Re: Walther LG 55 Match Rifle
Post by: Tom @ Buzzard Bluff on June 04, 2012, 08:02:23 PM
"I made a mistake by shooting an old FWB 150.  gracious!  My next gun."
**********************************************************
I meant to address your interest in my last post but-------

A FWB150 lived here at the Bluff for a time until only a few years ago when I finally was forced to admit that my bad back could no longer tolerate the weight. Even after that admission it was a few more years before I could bear to let it go to live with someone else who could shoot it and properly appreciate it.

Frankly I still like the lines of the 150 better than later iterations that are not a whet more accurate.

And as long as I'm being brutally honest it was the utter precision of the mechanism that fascinated me to such a degree. A FWB 150/300 makes a Swiss watch seem a crude agricultural implement.

Hope you can find one so you too can experience mechanical excellence seldom seen in any endeavor.   Tom
Title: Re: Walther LG 55 Match Rifle
Post by: airnutz on June 05, 2012, 05:54:20 PM
Hello Tom!

I hope you don't mind me writing that I feel you have a real passion for ultimately fine working mechanical things.  The German Air Guns have topped off my similar pleasure.  I just like the feel of the old ones, and the chance to pick these old gems up for cheap is a thrill for me!

I like the old Diana rifles for sure.  The HW's are well made.  But the Walthers and the FWB's are for me very special.  The mechanics and the look when they shoot....have you ever watched one shoot? Close up?  The way the carriage just kind of plops back gently and soundly and oh so ....hydraulically?  Well, I am hooked.

Shooting a FWB was just a thrill, period.  I learned today how to adjust the Walther 55 Diopter and the thing shoots so nice,  and I am not a "shooter" by any means.  But I can hit the targets now!

Greetings, and I enjoy your entries to this Forum.

Robert
Title: Getting the Diopter Set Up..
Post by: airnutz on June 06, 2012, 03:49:52 PM
Finally I am starting to shoot the gun.  It takes a while for me to get used to a new/old gun.  With this one, the weight is a definite factor.  Here is a pic of my first attempts at a target from 10 Meters.

All are high and to the left.  The targets are all 5 shots with H&N Wadcutters.  The middle target was 10 shots.

The wheels on the Diopter are in German, "Bei L and Bei R", I think this means to the left, and to the right.  Does this mean I have to move the wheel to the left, or to the right, if I want to shoot more to the right.

Target, or Match Rifles are new to me.  I have no experience with these. 

Anyone?
Title: Re: Walther LG 55 Match Rifle
Post by: ac12 on June 06, 2012, 07:58:39 PM
The German system is opposite the US system.
You move the POA to the POI.
The US system that we are familiar with, you move the POI to the POA.
So, if you are hitting to the left of where you aiming, you move the sight in the L direction.  Move the POA to the left.
L/R is easy, I always forget which letters are up/down. I "think" H is down.
Title: Re: Walther LG 55 Match Rifle
Post by: airnutz on June 07, 2012, 02:28:44 AM
Thanks ac12.  POA = Point of Aim ?  POI = Point of Impact ?

At first I thought I was being an azz for asking such a question, but the more I thought about it, the more confusing it was.

So I'll start adjusting and let it click to the left, and the one on top to the "T".  "H" is Hoch (high), and "T" is Tief (deep).

Click, click....maybe I'll get some Bullseye shots soon.
Title: Re: Walther LG 55 Match Rifle
Post by: airnutz on June 17, 2012, 03:42:44 AM
Update.

In the meantime I have it zeroed in and this was a fun and interesting experience.  With every few clicks of the adjusting wheels I could watch the hits move closer to the middle.  I read here in the library about some shooting tips and other info.

It turns out the height was already maximized, so I turned the wheel fully to the other end of the scale.  I quit counting at 80 clicks, but this was already way too low.  Quickly the Diopter was right at the sweet spot for my eyes.

In the picture above, the aluminum wheel right behind the eyepiece is for focusing.  To the side of the eyepiece, right and left side, are also wheels for adjustment.  The wheel on the right makes the lens light amber colored, I guess this is for outdoor and sunlight.  The left wheel makes the target even sharper yet, and lighter, allowing more light in.

I am just adding this info because since this is the Vintage Forum, maybe some folks are not aware of the old German optics.  Sorry if this is known already.  I haven't a clue about scopes otherwise.

I am so enthused though, because I need tri-focal glasses, and now I can shoot 10 meters without them, and hit five for five in the black.  I just rest my eyelid on the focal piece and gently pull the trigger.  Amazing the accuracy,  without eye glasses!
Title: Re: Walther LG 55 Match Rifle
Post by: AirScopes on June 17, 2012, 10:03:08 AM
Haven't shot the LG 55, but I was looking to buy one a while ago when I picked up a TF BS4, TF 79, Haenel Suhl 312, and Anschutz 2002... Similar idea, I just couldn't get the deal I was looking for on the LG 55. Already had a Daisy 953 that I kill houseflies with at 10 yards. Recoilless target guns and pneumatics are just amazing to shoot, I think. I got the bug after buying a recoilless RWS 54.

(http://theruntcompound.files.wordpress.com/2011/09/this.jpg)
Daisy 953 (pneumatic)

(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bqGQAyE5rgE/S-3_YC5xPoI/AAAAAAAAEPw/XjLIBryng5A/s1600/P5100017.JPG)
Haenel Suhl 312 (recoilless)

(http://picturearchive.gunauction.com/433133403/9910709/e4b12e8e6be012c15f809c13e5fcaac6.jpg)
Anschutz 2002 (pneumatic)

(http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSQ7j9nvviGLGHKf97nLxyhH-ctSBaCdnpPoc9WxTUVdY-6Vjf56u-s6e-J)
Tech Force BS4 (recoilless)

(https://www.pyramydair.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/01-07-11-01-Tech-Force-TF-79-target-rifle.jpg)
Tech Force 79 (CO2 or PCP)

Some guys probably wouldn't want these cause they only push 500-700 fps ... but I enjoy the sharpshooting. these can also be shot indoors without a lot of trouble or worry. Every one is good for safaris and taking out plastic soldiers ;-)
Title: Re: Walther LG 55 Match Rifle
Post by: airnutz on June 17, 2012, 12:23:37 PM
AirScopes, now that is a serious collection.  I agree, the recoilless Rifles are just outrageous, and make shooting addictive.  Just don't tell me....(oh) please, your next one is a FWB, OK?
 ;D

Are the Diopters on your German guns as similarly adjustable as the one I described?  The Haenel 312 displayed is an especially nice unit.

Greetings.
Title: Re: Walther LG 55 Match Rifle
Post by: AirScopes on June 18, 2012, 01:45:27 PM
I really like diopters, and I have a few different ones. From the simple, strange one on my Mendoza 2800 (this gun is nutty... 2-blade trigger, auto-load 7-shot magazine, and small, square diopter), to the more elaborate units on the 2002 mini and Haenel Suhl 312. Some day I'll probably design my own... seems to me there has to be a way to get better consistency in aligning the diopter and globe.

But yeah, I suddenly got all hot about target rifles... it was my last buying spree for personal shooters. my TF BS4 is a wonderful knockoff of the FWB 300 so I probably WONT be on to the FWB really soon. I'm just looking forward to getting my hands on ANY of my guns at this point...
Title: Re: Walther LG 55 Match Rifle
Post by: Tom @ Buzzard Bluff on June 18, 2012, 03:43:04 PM
FWIW----the Haenel 312 is not a true recoilless action like the FWB & Diana M-54.

The Haenel action is dampened by rubber 'biscuits' thru which it is secured to the stock in much the same manner as Hatsan's 'new' SAS system.     Tom
Title: Re: Walther LG 55 Match Rifle
Post by: AirScopes on June 19, 2012, 11:35:19 AM
I don't know that it matters if it isnt "true"... I shoot it and it is nearly as good as the BS4 (which is as good as the FWB).

I understand the point... and really I bought it before I knew there was any damping... It is pretty darn good for what it is!

FWIW----the Haenel 312 is not a true recoilless action like the FWB & Diana M-54.

The Haenel action is dampened by rubber 'biscuits' thru which it is secured to the stock in much the same manner as Hatsan's 'new' SAS system.     Tom
Title: Re: Walther LG 55 Match Rifle
Post by: lizzie on June 19, 2012, 05:05:42 PM
Wow- that's a beauty- and I agree about not wanting new guns. ;D
Title: Re: Walther LG 55 Match Rifle
Post by: Calmark on June 20, 2012, 02:07:15 AM
I agree.  I find myself looking increasingly more at the old, vintage guns out there.  Beautiful lines and great craftsmanship of those old guns really makes them almost unique now that they are no longer produced.  And the precision of the match guns, even those with older technology, is where they still really excel.  I might have to find myself one of these old match guns soon, even though I generally shoot 20-30 yards.  They still should do quite well, even at longer ranges. 
Title: Re: Walther LG 55 Match Rifle
Post by: AirScopes on June 20, 2012, 09:26:01 AM
I find myself looking increasingly more at the old, vintage guns out there.

Regretfully a lot of the 'cooler' items are really hard to get, unless they are essentially illegal import/export. I know there are more interesting rifles out there, and they are inexpensive in their native countries, but rare and expensive here. Others are actually still made (the TF BS4), but no one imports them... and the exporters are not easy to talk to, or swift to act (retay, cometa, SAG...).

Title: Re: Walther LG 55 Match Rifle
Post by: Tom @ Buzzard Bluff on June 20, 2012, 11:33:36 AM
FWIW----the Haenel 312 is not a true recoilless action like the FWB & Diana M-54.

BTW----the Haenel in your pic is a break-barrel. I had one of those (I forgot the model #) that I foolishly sold to a friend.

The Haenel 312 target rifle is a different beast entirely! It is a sidelever like your FWB-300 clone.

Neither of the 312s that I have owned (still have one waiting on me to get off of my duff to repair a cracked wrist) were as accurate as the model that I sold to my friend.                           All FWIW,  Tom
Title: Re: Walther LG 55 Match Rifle
Post by: airnutz on June 20, 2012, 02:51:22 PM
The 312's here are still plentiful and get some good prices at auctions.  Just here, the wood is atrocious.  I don't know how you guys get so many good looking vintage guns with pretty wood but feel lucky should you have such nice gems like AirScopes has shown us.

Also, for me amazing, the vintage Walthers here do not sell well.  sure, a Tyro stock or other Walnut beauty gets the best price, but still many very good 55's are being sold for $110 or less.  Amazing.  These have become one of my favourites.  That is until I can get my hands on a Diana 60!  Walnut Stock, please.
Title: Re: Walther LG 55 Match Rifle
Post by: airnutz on June 20, 2012, 02:57:28 PM
I agree.  I find myself looking increasingly more at the old, vintage guns out there.  Beautiful lines and great craftsmanship of those old guns really makes them almost unique now that they are no longer produced.  And the precision of the match guns, even those with older technology, is where they still really excel.  I might have to find myself one of these old match guns soon, even though I generally shoot 20-30 yards.  They still should do quite well, even at longer ranges.

Don't worry about the double distance.  My Walther 55 is as accurate at 20 meters as it is at 10!  Now I don't go and put target papers in the big old spruce tree off of my Balcony, the tree is old and big, like a Christmas tree (in it's form) and I hit any pine cone I aim for.  They have not split out yet, so compact enough to still see the pollen dust fly when hit.

Hahaha, I have to laugh now, probably the first time someone brags here about hitting dang pine cones!

 ;D
Title: Re: Walther LG 55 Match Rifle
Post by: ac12 on June 20, 2012, 03:07:49 PM
The rear sight attachment can be any of several different items.
- fixed diameter iris
- variable diameter iris
- variable diameter iris with colored filters
- magnifier (I think 1.5x magnification)

- For most target shooting the fixed is adequate.
- If you find a deal the variable diameter is nice because you can adjust to different light levels.  But as it turns out, my variable is set to the same size as the fixed iris that came standard with my rifles.
- The filters are used if you shoot primarily outdoors to adjust for different lighting conditions.  I have one with a filter and rarely use the filters.
- Magnifier is not legal for standard 10m competition.  There are only a few very specific matches where it is allowed.  But if you don't compete, who cares, if you have it use it.
Title: Re: Walther LG 55 Match Rifle
Post by: airnutz on June 20, 2012, 03:59:55 PM
ac12, excellent, thanks for the info!

I defo will not join a club here for shooting.... ;D

I visited one recently for some info on where I could find a Gunsmith in my area.  Well I was treated as if I looked like Jerry Lewis in his prime....I guess one is just suppose do know this.  then I made the mistake of telling what gun (this Walther).  Mistake number two.  Then I was asked what sports I do regularly (Golf), mistake number three.  Forget it, I would have to re-train my smaller muscles as Golf activates too many of the bigger muscles, hence my "Fein-Mechanik-gefuehl" is just a wasteland.  Now I know all of know what a "Fein-Mechanik-gefuehl" is.  I had to Google it.   ;D

Ah no, no club for me.  I'll keep with pigeons and pine cones!
Title: Re: Walther LG 55 Match Rifle
Post by: AirScopes on June 21, 2012, 05:53:58 PM
BTW----the Haenel in your pic is a break-barrel. I had one of those (I forgot the model #) that I foolishly sold to a friend.
haha... You know, I didn't notice that till after I posted. This is the Haenel...

(http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j315/Makw_2006/haenel312_2_01.jpg)

I've been traveling for 4 months and dont have my desktop (where I store my images) OR my gun collection.

The BS4 is probably way ignored, and just an outstanding rifle.

Richard
Title: Re: Walther LG 55 Match Rifle
Post by: robert w on June 21, 2012, 10:43:13 PM
nice airnutz . when you get tired of it just ship it to me and i will rest it beside my hw-55 and set back n say the germans are takin the house over with a lot of diana help
Title: Re: Walther LG 55 Match Rifle
Post by: Tom @ Buzzard Bluff on June 22, 2012, 02:37:26 AM
BTW----the Haenel in your pic is a break-barrel. I had one of those (I forgot the model #) that I foolishly sold to a friend.
haha... You know, I didn't notice that till after I posted. This is the Haenel...
*************************************************************
 The joke is on me anyway Richard---the one in your original post that I said is a breakbarrel actually is but I thought it was a pic of the model 311 that preceded the 312. That's where I had my head firmly in my fundiment! The 311 was a Schmeisser patent bolt cocker.

 FWIW----I finally dug out what little material I have on the Haenels. Mostly 2 sided advertising 'slicks' with model # & pic on the front and specs on the back that I got from an airgun seller (Jim Pelican---sp.--- almost certainly wrong!) who frequented Texas gun shows in the '70s, '80s & possibly the '90s of the past century. The Importer/distributor was listed on the back as GB Internat'l of Cleveland, OH.

 The rifle I challenged is neither a 312 OR a 311 but a "Expert Competition 303-8-Super" according to the ad sheet in my collection. It carried the same rear diopter as the 311.

 A NIB 312 I bought from Jim was the very first springer I ever owned. It wasn't accurate at all. Took it to the next gunshow and swapped it in on a Marksman Model 72 in .20 from Jim. Same rifle as the R-9. It was a tackdriver.    Tom