Theoben fenman

[bobcullen79 1,495]

Hi all, Ive been offered a Theoben Fenman, that I havent had a chance to shoot yet. I like the look and feel of it,so if I can get it for the right price... It looks a tad tatty and would need a new scope. What would be a fair price and what would it cost to sort out if its a bit low in power? Thanks for looking, Bob.

[Acuspell 329]

What age Theoben. Is it an HE system or the older, low pressure Ram?

 

I have several and love them, high quality rifles. The Fenman with the short barrel (8") is better in .22 than .177. For the smaller calibre they are better with the slightly longer barrel (10").

 

These rifles will easily produce a 1/2" group at 40 yards, once used properly. They are different to other ifles and some people either can't, or more correctly, won't learn how to shoot them. Loose hold and let it recoil and it will do the rest. Try and hold it tight and it will fly all over the place and not group.

 

Ease of maintenance? If it is an old rifle, dead easy. just unscrew the back plug and put a few pumps of air in (dependinng on the velocity is producing). They run best at around the 11ft-lb mark. The more you up the velocity/energy, the harsher they become and also the more unreliable they become - the piston crown will and seal will burn out from the high temperature generated if you over pressurise it to try to take it up to the 12ft-lb. You can get a 20ft-lb version, but they use different piston and seal to cope with the temperature generated by the additional pressure. Mine have been totally reliable since:

Grand Prix 1986

Olympus 1995

Taunus 1996

SLR98 2001

They have never missed a beat, but then they haven't been messed about with.Once running sweetly they will require no maintenance at all, other than normal cleanliness and external oil protection. The bluing and general finish is top notch. Let us know when you get it. I shall be selling a few of mine off, because I am having to rationalise my life (motorcycle going too!) I will be looking for, as I want a quick sale:

Grand Prix (without the scope) £395

Olympus (with an average scope) £395

 

I am keeping the other two. So if you are anywhere near those prices you are getting a good deal.

[bobcullen79 1,495]

It is the H.E type with the 8" barrel in .22. I have it in my hands but have still not shot it yet,so I dont know what the powers like. I think hes looking for around £200 for it. So maybe its worth a bit of a barter and risk? As for model I cant find any other mark than theoben h.e. system.

 

Edited to say, it has that screw you mentioned on the older models? I dont really want to start messing around with things I know nowt about.

Edited February 18, 2012 by bobcullen79

[ukhunter 111]

They sell from £180 to £250 but it will have to be in good condition to get top money mate

[Acuspell 329]

I have never seen one under £250. If he is willing to let you have it for £200, I would say, provided it looks as though it has been looked after, it would be a great buy. Signs to look for - bluing having been worn off the front of the barrel (Theoben silencer? Tapered back end, flat front end and blued like the rest of the metalwork, beautifully). Like this:

This is the Taunus - built in a Fenman stock because I wanted the ambidextrous stock - 10" barrel, with Theoben standard moderator.

 

Other signs to look for - the plug screw at the back. Is it sharp still, or have the edges been rounded or bluing taken off by the Allen key, where it has been on and off a few times? Same with any other fasteners. Is the main cylinder in good condition. Signs of rust anywhere? Either present or having been cleaned off? It would also be worth checking the trigger pull - with a pellet, not empty. Don't dry fire it. The trigger should be crisp, it can be adjusted for weight, mine are brilliant and have never needed any fettling. It is only a matter of set up.

 

By the way, there was never a Scirocco Grand Prix. There was the Scirocco, Scirocco Countryman, Scirocco 2000 and before them the Grand Prix. Long barrel, thumbhole walnut stock with adjustable butt pad and low pressure ram. Trigger unit had no safety. Superb accuracy.

[bobcullen79 1,495]

You seem to know a bit about them ACU, thanks. Over all it doesnt look too bad, a few dinks in the stock and all but one screw looks untouched, the one you mentioned at the back!?? Also, it has a flat head screw,not a hex key as mentioned, does this mean its an older model? Thanks for your time people.

[Acuspell 329]

If you phone Theoben in the morning with the serial number (turn her upside down, usually hand engraved on the action beside the cocking linkage - early ones were done by either a hand dremmel, or by a punch making the numbers up out of a load of little dots! Give them the number and they are usually very good and will look it up for you.

 

At £200 there is enough in it to send it in to someone good for a service and seals, they will ensure it runs at around 11.2 - 11.4 ft-lbs. Temperature will affect the power. In cold weather mine (above) goes down to about 10.9ft-lbs, as the weather warms up it goes back to about 11.2 ft-lbs. This is just down to the air contracting in the ram under low temperatur. After a while you learn to live with it, rather than try topping it up for the winter and then running too hot in the summer! Going from 11.0 - 11.3 would be fine, 11.4 - 11.7 is getting a bit too high for my liking. YOUR rifle might be fine with it though, every single one is individual and i am afraid there is only one way to find out where your sweet spot is - trial and error. Usually though at the lower 11s they are spot on.

[bobcullen79 1,495]

Thanks alot Acu, youve been well helpful. Looks like its an older model, the plug screw is a flat head and, like you say, the number is done by hand with a dremmel. I`ll bell them tomorrow to find out more.