Webley Venom Custom Shop
- Thread starter JockStalk
- Start date
I think it may have been Steve Pope but not 100% certain.
I think they also used to do rimfire s as well as air rifles.
Ed
I think they also used to do rimfire s as well as air rifles.
Ed
Ronin
Distinguished Member
Mr Pope (I think its Richard - though don't know him) has a long history of making very fine shooting centerfire rifles.
A few people on the GB F Class (open) team use him as their gunsmith, so he's still going strong, though only works as and when these days.
Im pretty sure that if the rifle hasn't been abused, it will be good if the Venom (that was) had anything to do with it.
A few people on the GB F Class (open) team use him as their gunsmith, so he's still going strong, though only works as and when these days.
Im pretty sure that if the rifle hasn't been abused, it will be good if the Venom (that was) had anything to do with it.
Steyer 6.5
Well-Known Member
It is Richard at Precison rifles very good smith. He does work for some large gunshops and last time I visited him was making his own moderators. Steve Pope works for himself in between lye and Stourbridge. Richard and Steve are two different people and companies. Ivan Hancox and Dave Pope originally started Venom then merged with Webley then folded. Steve Pope is now on his own and ill post his trading name and possibly contact details later.
Steyer 6.5
Well-Known Member
The Popes have nothing to do with the name Venom since 1995 when the original Popes merged with Webley n Scott as it was. Steve Pope still does custom work under his own name as above. This is straight from him.
Try this
http://www.air-rifle-tuning.com/v-mach/Background.html
I still get Steve to overhaul my Laza-glide HW80 when it needs it.
Ed
http://www.air-rifle-tuning.com/v-mach/Background.html
I still get Steve to overhaul my Laza-glide HW80 when it needs it.
Ed
Venom which was Ivan and Richard pope became part of Webley as a in house Custom shop for a while before it wound up
had a custom Webley FX2000 carbine made by them and went to the Webley factory to collect it
R pope is now swift precision rifles
they did the best Tunes on airguns and also a lot on fire arms
had a custom Webley FX2000 carbine made by them and went to the Webley factory to collect it
R pope is now swift precision rifles
they did the best Tunes on airguns and also a lot on fire arms
That was one half the team the other was Dave Pope not Richard as some suggest.
Steve Pope (Dave's son) joined later.
if you look at the link that I posted yesterday to V-Mach it gives a potted history including the fact that they went into rimfire and centrefire rifles and by some accounts did a good job.
I would certainly have no hesitation about getting a rifle with a barrel made by them.
"Ivan Hancock retired during 2004 and Steve Pope took on the role as the Webley-Venom Custom Shop Manager. Ongoing development ensued, including the likes of the Webley Venom TDR, custom versions of the HW100, limited one offs of the Tomahawk and Raider. There was a noticeable increase in the development of the firearms side of the business, where Webley-Venom were at the forefront of sub calibre switch barrel rifles, based on Ruger and Sako models."
Another extract
"The small workshop and shop premises offered by the Gun Barrel finally gave way to the significantly bigger premises that became Venomac Sports in 1995. A collaboration with the MacWilliams, local industrialists and entreprenneurs, led to the ‘Mac’ in Venomac. The new 3 tier premises allowed a dedicated ground floor workshop with approved test range, a purpose built gun room displaying Venom’s custom products, as well as an extensive range of air rifles, shot-guns, rim fire and centre fire rifles
As well as the established markets, Venom collaborated with Daystate to offer limited edition specialised sporting rifles and expanded into the firearm customising field, where Venom undertook re-barreling work, re-stocking and rifle building."
"The small workshop and shop premises offered by the Gun Barrel finally gave way to the significantly bigger premises that became Venomac Sports in 1995. A collaboration with the MacWilliams, local industrialists and entreprenneurs, led to the ‘Mac’ in Venomac. The new 3 tier premises allowed a dedicated ground floor workshop with approved test range, a purpose built gun room displaying Venom’s custom products, as well as an extensive range of air rifles, shot-guns, rim fire and centre fire rifles
As well as the established markets, Venom collaborated with Daystate to offer limited edition specialised sporting rifles and expanded into the firearm customising field, where Venom undertook re-barreling work, re-stocking and rifle building."
HistoricBore
Well-Known Member
Well here is a blast from the past!
I have just purchased a Weirauch HW97K from a widow in the village, which had been little used by her late engineer husband. Then she found a compliments slip with detailed hand-written notes about how he tuned the rifle and fitted a 3-9 x 40 scope, plus zeroing it with his Lazarell (?) .22 pellets. It is signed by Steven Pope. Sadly it is not dated, but is probably 15 or 20 years ago. The address is Frankley Industrial Park, Tay Road, Rubery, Birmingham.
He also included a sample of Lazapell and Lazadome pellets for him to try. Does anyone know what weigh these were?
Next step is to try it...
HB
I have just purchased a Weirauch HW97K from a widow in the village, which had been little used by her late engineer husband. Then she found a compliments slip with detailed hand-written notes about how he tuned the rifle and fitted a 3-9 x 40 scope, plus zeroing it with his Lazarell (?) .22 pellets. It is signed by Steven Pope. Sadly it is not dated, but is probably 15 or 20 years ago. The address is Frankley Industrial Park, Tay Road, Rubery, Birmingham.
He also included a sample of Lazapell and Lazadome pellets for him to try. Does anyone know what weigh these were?
Next step is to try it...
HB
andy R204
Well-Known Member
Pictures
Unfortunately, Steve Pope (the son of Venom co-founder Dave Pope) passed away a few years ago. The remaining stock of Steve's V-Mac kits and parts for the HW's were obtained by Lyndon Lewington (of ARC Tuning), who continues to be the primary point of contact for original V-Mach stock and has collaborated on new kits.
Lyndon Lewington at ARC does some great work on air rifles. highly recommended.
Richard Pope at Swift Rifles in Bromsgrove worked with the original Venom team during the Webley custom shop days. They actually put together quite a number of rimfire rifles, which Venom worked on based on old BSA Martini target rifles and sent mainly to the States. I also know of a few Centrefire rifles which Ivan and Richard built at the Webley Custom Shop (and at Venomac), built largely in "African" calibres. In terms of machine work, I can't recommend Richard's work at Swift highly enough, top bloke.
Lyndon Lewington at ARC does some great work on air rifles. highly recommended.
Richard Pope at Swift Rifles in Bromsgrove worked with the original Venom team during the Webley custom shop days. They actually put together quite a number of rimfire rifles, which Venom worked on based on old BSA Martini target rifles and sent mainly to the States. I also know of a few Centrefire rifles which Ivan and Richard built at the Webley Custom Shop (and at Venomac), built largely in "African" calibres. In terms of machine work, I can't recommend Richard's work at Swift highly enough, top bloke.
Similar threads
