Theoben Fenman
Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2014 9:13 pm
I suppose an argument could be made that the Theoben Fenman is not a classic. However, given the history of the gun and indeed the company itself, I would put this rifle in the "classic" category. Not the least for the innovative Gas Ram technology it uses, quite cutting edge in it's time.
Anyhow, I had this sent to me for repair, a short note on the ticket said "replace bolts". Now, that could have meant anything but not on this occasion, the two forestock screws were sticking out, with the hex drive holes well and truly rounded over. Some Neanderthal had decided to put new screws in and had forced not one, but BOTH of the forestock screws in. Until they turned no more. You see, being a bit of an older model, it has UNF fittings, the plonker had forced 5mm button heads down 3/16 UNF holes until they would go no further, then rounded them over. Anyhow I resolved that problem but had a quick look at it generally. It was absolutely knackered.
The cocking shoe is completely goosed and needs remaking and the Gas Ram has no Gas in it, which is a bit of a bugger. Theoben, when they were still in business, didn't want anyone playing with the internals o their guns, but now they are gone there are no drawings available at all, it is only learned knowledge that keeps these things going.
The first thing I need to do is get some gas into the ram and make sure it is still gas tight. If it isn't the owner is going to have to be consulted as it starts to run into money. So in order to do this an adapter was needed. The inlet for the gas (or high pressure air) is a Shrader valve. But not the outside thread fitting, the inside. This is a total arse of a thread and why people come up with such ludicrous fittings I just cannot understand, for reference the thread is Metric: 5.30 mm OD × 0.706 mm pitch or in Imperial: 0.209 in OD × 36 tpi. Bonkers. Anyhow, I have the adapter made now:
Anyhow, I had this sent to me for repair, a short note on the ticket said "replace bolts". Now, that could have meant anything but not on this occasion, the two forestock screws were sticking out, with the hex drive holes well and truly rounded over. Some Neanderthal had decided to put new screws in and had forced not one, but BOTH of the forestock screws in. Until they turned no more. You see, being a bit of an older model, it has UNF fittings, the plonker had forced 5mm button heads down 3/16 UNF holes until they would go no further, then rounded them over. Anyhow I resolved that problem but had a quick look at it generally. It was absolutely knackered.
The cocking shoe is completely goosed and needs remaking and the Gas Ram has no Gas in it, which is a bit of a bugger. Theoben, when they were still in business, didn't want anyone playing with the internals o their guns, but now they are gone there are no drawings available at all, it is only learned knowledge that keeps these things going.
The first thing I need to do is get some gas into the ram and make sure it is still gas tight. If it isn't the owner is going to have to be consulted as it starts to run into money. So in order to do this an adapter was needed. The inlet for the gas (or high pressure air) is a Shrader valve. But not the outside thread fitting, the inside. This is a total arse of a thread and why people come up with such ludicrous fittings I just cannot understand, for reference the thread is Metric: 5.30 mm OD × 0.706 mm pitch or in Imperial: 0.209 in OD × 36 tpi. Bonkers. Anyhow, I have the adapter made now: