posted some pics of this one when I first got it, but the light was so nice today I had to improve on those initial shots a bit.
I know when talking about aesthetically attractive target rifles, many folks think "tyrolean." But unrepentant "less is more" architect that I am, my eye tends to be drawn to more straightforward lines. The Walther LGV's standard "Olympia" stock is my nomination for the best-looking target rifle of all time--contemporary details updating a traditional stock form, giving comfortable and efficient handling. That impression certainly wasn't hurt by the superb condition and lovely wood on this rifle, which were most pleasant surprises when I first took it out of the box!
One feature I really like is the shape of the fore end. Wide and rounded at the bottom, but narrow at the top, it provides all the support you need for a typical target hold, but also allows for a very comfortable carry grip. This little detail is much appreciated, letting my smallish hands handle this heavy gun very securely.
This rifle has an all-steel rear sight which was standard on Walther's firearm match guns, and was an optional upgrade on the LGV. Here it's outfitted with a vintage Gehmann iris. Note just behind the sight, a circular area of differing wood grain--this is a wood dowel which passes through the grip to give strength to that area. Target guns can often split across the grip if attention is not paid to that detail.
Another nice bonus is the adjustable buttplate. This was also a "trickle-down" from Walther's rimfires, and an upgrade for the LGV. This component was available with both flat and curved plates, the latter being seen here.
The next shot shows the typical Walther front sight, and the LGV's massive barrel sleeve. Note the scar on the muzzle, which is the result of the gun's poking out of the shipping container! The basic action and barrel of all the old Walther springers is really quite small and light, allowing the balance to be optimized with supplemental weights on the barrel and in the stock.
The main mechanical differences between the LGV and the earlier Walther model 55 can be seen in the breech: first, note the black vinyl inserts around the stock screws, adding considerable strength to that area which has relatively little wood above it.
Second, note the "flat" angle on the top of the detent bolt. This ensures that the barrel cannot be budged except via the clever manual release lever, and allowed use of that massive barrel sleeve without fear of the slightest breech movement.
Finally is the interesting cross plug through the breech (seen here as a silver disk). This clever innovation is slightly wider than the breech block, and fits between the breech jaws to extremely close tolerances. It eliminates any sideways play in the breech, without requiring excessive tension in the breech jaw adjustment.
All in all, I have to say the LGV Olympia is just about my favorite of all the Walther springers. While showing some cost-cutting features compared to the previous LG 55--especially in the wood finish, and substitution of stippling for multiple panels of checkering--the functional design changes are really a solid upgrade from the earlier gun that let the basic design stay competitive in the marketplace.