Theoben rifles chronology

Theoben rifles chronology 

Note: this information was first posted on airgunforums.co.uk and I can't vouch for its accuracy.

2004
Mar The Rapid MFR now available in FAC in all calibres
Apr New 'mid-power' FAC break action rifle with a Beech stock called the Crusader
May .177 calibre SLR development and testing - due for release late 2004

2003
Jan Theoben close the shop to devote more time to new developments & trade sales
Feb Theoben is taken over by Martin Rutterford who has been with Theoben since 1984 and Jonathan Radford
Feb Theoben becomes a limited company & changes name to Theoben Ltd
Apr New left hand or right hand walnut stock for the Evolution Rifle
Apr The ambidextrous stock for the Evolution Rifle now in beech
May Rapid MkII CS800 (thumbhole) Stock available
Jun Discontinued the Sirocco 2000
July New rifle - The Rapid MFR (multi-functional rifle) - magazine or single shot loading
Sept Rapid MFR CS800 (thumbhole) Stock available

2002
Jan First batch of Summer Biathlon leave for Anschutz in Germany
Feb Camoflauge effect available on new models
Feb Press release info & test for new rifle - the 'Evolution'
May The Evolution rifle launched with great interest.
July Brand new trigger for Rapid MkII
July Discontinued the Dual Magnum

2001
Jan Released Rapid MkII - .22 calibre 12ft/lbs only
Feb Team up with Anschutz for Summer Biathlon project to develop new PCP
Mar Dual Magnum released - FAC only - dual power, single shot, underlever
Mar Rapid MkII now available in all calibres and powers
Apr New tests on Rapid MkII show 50%-150% increase in shots compared to MkI
Apr Theoben take on two junior partners
May New CNC machines and full grinding facilities arrive
Aug Discontinued the Weihrauch HW90 TB
Oct Discontinued the Fenman Profile and Olympus stocks - special order only
Oct Discontinued the Rapid Tyrolean and Rapid Profile stocks - special order only
Nov Discontinued the Mid-Powered Break Barrel models
Nov Rapid MkII Field Target model released
Dec Discontinued the Taunus and Sirocco 'HV' stocks
Dec Discontinued the Rapid MkI right hand and field target stocks

2000
Feb Sirocco 'HV' - Break Action Rifle - fitted with TransPort Silencer - FAC only
Apr Italy grant a catologue number for import of Eliminators (CNA No 12264)
Dec Dual Magnum - dual powered FAC underlever rifle - tests complete
Dec Applied for patent for 'shot regulator' to be fitted to new Rapid MkII
Dec Launched Rapid MkII - new stock, trigger, regulator, bolt, etc

1999
Feb The Rapid Elan - Pre-charged pneumatic, .22 calibre, 7 or 12 shot, left or right hand stock that covers the mini bottle
Feb The DC Silencer - 'Dual Concept' silencer especially designed for the Rapid Elan
Feb The 'Shooting Guide' book published
Feb Emi-Mec Auto Sprint machine
Apr Left handed Eliminator stock finally in production
Apr Plastic injection molding machine - modified with electronic controls
Jul The Sirocco 2000 - Break Action Rifle
Jul The 'Trans-Port' Silencer - especially designed for the Sirocco 2000
Aug SLR 98 available in FAC version - up to 18 ft/lbs
Sep Bridgeport Interact 2 CNC mill
Sep Licence to export our rifles to parts of Europe - Dealer to Dealer
Dec New Rifle for RWS in the USA - RWS RA-800

1998
Jan Website went live -  http://www.theoben.co.uk
Nov SLR 98 - underlever, left or right hand stock, .22 cal, 7 shot

1997
Jan CNC mill installed
Apr Rapid 17/17 - Pre-charged pneumatic, .177 calibre, 17 shot, ambidextrous stock,
Aug Rapid 17/17 FAC - Pre-charged pneumatic, .177 calibre, 17 shot, ambidextrous stock, 17 ft/lbs
Oct Another CNC lathe installed - in house manufacturing up from 50% to 90%
Oct Rapid 17/17 Field Target - Pre-charged pneumatic, .177 calibre, 17 shot, laminated stock - 12ft/lbs and FAC versions available

1996
Feb First CNC lathe installed
Apr Completed extension to premises in Somersham - 8000 sq/ft
May In-house metal finishing plant - high surface finish polishing to chemical blacking, with full dust/particle extraction
May Welding bay with full dust extraction
Oct Rapid Profile - Stock made from hyedua, left of right hand, available for all Rapid Range rifles
Oct Fenman Profile - Stock made from hyedua, left or right hand

1995
Jan Taunus - Left or right hand stock, Evolution Trigger
Mar Discontinued Sirocco Classic
Mar Discontinued Sirocco Grand Prix
Mar Tyrolean Style Stocks available for all Rapid range rifles
Feb Moved to larger premises - Somersham, Cambridgeshire. UK - Two story building 6000 sq/ft, 2 acres of land
Sep Olympus - Thumbhole stock, Evolution Trigger
Sep Rapid 12/200 - Pre-charged pneumatic, .20 calibre, 12 shot, ambidextrous stock
Nov Rapid 12/200 - Pre-charged pneumatic, .20 calibre, 12 shot, ambidextrous stock, 28 ft/lbs

1994
Feb Eliminator Mk III - H.E. system, double o-ring piston, Evolution Trigger
Feb Crow Magnum Mk III - H.E. system, double o-ring piston, Evolution Trigger
Feb Fenman - ambidextrous stock, Evolution Trigger
Apr Rapid 7 FAC - Pre-charged pneumatic, .22 calibre, left or right hand stock, 30 ft/lbs
Jun Rapid 12/250 FAC - Pre-charged pneumatic, .25 calibre, 12 shot, ambidextrous stock, 40 ft/lbs

1993
Aug Discontinued Sirocco Countryman
Aug Fenman - ambidextrous stock, Webley Omega Based Trigger

1992
Jan Rapid 7 FAC - Pre-charged pneumatic, .22 calibre, left or right hand stock, 20 ft/lbs
Sep Discontinued all models of SLR 88
Dec Air Arms Gas Struts (side lever models only) - DIY conversion kit

1991
Jan HW90 Euro Custom
May Webley Gas Struts - DIY conversion kit

1990
Patent for H.E. System (GB 2084704, EP 91351330, US 5193517)
Feb HW90 released (made under licence at Weihrauch in Germany)
Mar BSA Gas Struts - DIY conversion kit (working designs for other makes of rifle)
May Discontinued HW77 air rifle with Zephyr Specification
Oct Eliminator Mk II - H.E. system, right hand Stock, 30ft/lbs
Oct Crow Magnum Mk II H.E. system, ambidextrous Stock, 30ft/lbs
Dec Rapid 7 - Pre-charged pneumatic, .22 calibre, left or right hand stock

1989
Jul SLR 88 Imperator FT - underlever, single shot.177 calibre, special trigger

1988
SLR 88 Imperator - underlever, 7 shot, .22 calibre
SLR 88 Grand Prix - underlever, 7 shot, .22 cal, Thumbhole stock
Countryman Carbine - Ambidextrous stock, shortened barrel
BSA Supersport TB Conversion (carried out in our factory)

1986
Mar Sirocco Field Target and improved, Webley Omega Based Trigger
Mar Sirocco Classic - Right or Left hand stock, Webley Omega Based Trigger
Mar Sirocco Countryman - Ambidextrous stock, Webley Omega Based Trigger
Jul HW77 air rifle - Zephyr Specification
Jul Eliminator Mk I - Thumbhole stock, non H.E. system, Webley Omega Based Trigger, 24-25ft/lbs
Jul Crow Magnum Mk I - non H.E. system, Webley Omega Based Trigger, 24-25ft/lbs
Oct Sirocco Grand Prix - Thumbhole stock, Webley Omega Based Trigger

1985
Mar FAC Sirocco - .22 calibre, 20ft/lbs
Sep Zephyr Piston Crown (GB 8508427, EP 91351330, US 4771758)

1984
Feb Moved to larger premises - Stephenson Road, St Ives, Cambs. UK (1000 sq/ft)
Mar Anschutz Barrels in .177 calibre and .22 calibre
May Sirocco Field Target - .177 calibre
Aug Expanded again, now have 2 units on Stephenson Road. Put in an upstairs.(3000 sq/ft)
Aug New unit used for metal finishing. Installed a chemical blacking plant & metal polishing equipment.

1983
Mar Stocks made by Custom Stock
Mar Sirocco DeLuxe - .22 cal, walnut stock
Theoben Anschutz 335 Mod - limited numbers approximately 10

1982
Jul Officially the Beginning of Theoben
Jul Moved to premises on Burrel Road, St Ives, Cambridgeshire, UK (500 sq/ft)
Jul Released Sirocco - .22 cal, beach stock, Webley barrel. Sirocco means 'hot wind'

1980
Applied for patent of the 'Original' gas spring (GB 2173287, EP 0460961, US 4709686)

1978 Ideas, tests and prototype of gas spring system