Weihrauch HW97KT 1899 Red Laminate | Top Airguns

Weihrauch HW97KT 125th Anniversary Edition: The Red 1899 Limited Review

Celebrating over a century of German engineering excellence, the Weihrauch HW97KT 125th Anniversary Edition stands as a collector’s gem and a field-ready powerhouse. Known internally as the “1899 Series” in honor of the company’s founding, this limited edition rifle combines the legendary accuracy of the HW97 platform with a striking red and black laminate stock. At Top Airguns, we are proud to present this specific model, which is not just a tool for the marksman but a piece of airgun history. Whether you are a competitive shooter or a hunter, this underlever rifle redefines what precision feels like in the spring-piston category .

A Masterpiece of German Engineering

The HW97KT is built on the principle of a fixed barrel, which eliminates the accuracy variances often found in break-barrel designs. The “KT” designation refers to the “Karabiner Thumbhole” stock, which offers an ergonomic grip that reduces fatigue during long shooting sessions. The 2024 125th Anniversary model is mechanically identical to the standard HW97K—meaning you get the famous sliding breech mechanism and a precision-cold-forged barrel. However, what sets this edition apart is the meticulous attention to detail, including laser engraving celebrating the 125-year milestone and the stunning laminated wood that provides a weather-resistant and rigid platform for the action .

Distinctive Red Laminate and Rekord Trigger

The most striking feature of this special edition is undoubtedly the stock. The red and black laminate is not merely aesthetic; it is incredibly durable and resistant to humidity and temperature changes, ensuring your zero remains stable. The thumbhole design naturally aligns the trigger finger with the famous Weihrauch Rekord trigger unit. This two-stage, adjustable match trigger is widely regarded as the best in the industry, offering a crisp, predictable break that allows for surgical accuracy. The stock is finished with an adjustable butt-pad, allowing for a perfect length of pull to fit shooters of all sizes .

Performance and Shooting Experience

Despite the modern laminate stock, the heart of this rifle remains the smooth, powerful spring-piston action. The underlever cocking mechanism provides excellent leverage, making it easy to cock even for shooters with less upper body strength. Once cocked, the automatic safety engages, and the gun is ready to fire. On the range, the HW97KT is known for its “deadly” accuracy. The fixed barrel design significantly reduces hold sensitivity, meaning it performs exceptionally well from a bench rest or a field position. With a muzzle energy of around 16-20 joules (depending on the market and caliber), it is perfectly suited for precision target shooting and ethical small game hunting out to 50 yards .

Detailed Specifications at a Glance

To help you understand the build of this anniversary model, here are the verified specifications for the Weihrauch HW97KT 1899 Edition.

• Manufacturer: Weihrauch

• Model: HW97KT “1899 Series” 125th Anniversary

• Stock: High-grade Red & Black Laminate (Thumbhole)

• Action: Underlever Spring Piston

• Trigger: Rekord Match Trigger (Adjustable, 2-stage)

• Barrel Length: 300mm (11.8 inches)

• Overall Length: 1015mm (40 inches)

• Weight: Approx. 4.2 kg (9.2 lbs)

• Scope Rail: 11mm Dovetail

• Safety: Automatic, Reversible

Limited Availability at Top Airguns

As a distributor specializing in high-end European airguns, Top Airguns is excited to offer this limited edition rifle. It is important to act quickly, as Weihrauch has confirmed that only 300 units of the HW97KT red laminate were allocated for specific markets, making it a rare find for collectors. The rifle is sold without a scope, allowing you to mount your preferred high-quality glass onto the 11mm dovetail rail. This model represents the pinnacle of springer technology and a celebration of heritage that deserves a place in any serious collection