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My first airgun

by B.B. Pelletier

I’ll tell you about my first airgun, then I want YOU to tell me about YOURS!

A Benjamin 107 pistol
My first airgun was a .177 Benjamin model 107 air pistol. Although the Blue Book of Airguns, Fifth Edition says no Benjamins were ever marked with the 107 model number, I’m pretty sure mine was, because at the age of nine I knew the model number.

Benjamin-107-web
Benjamin 107 was a slim air pistol due to the pump rod extending straight out from the front. This one still has lots of fragile black nickel over silver nickel, which covers the brass.

Benjamin made air rifles before the turn of the 20th century but they started making air pistols in 1935. The 107 was made from 1935 to 1941. It had the name “Benjamin Franklin” in quotes stamped into the left side of the compression tube. The quotes indicated the name was a farce – a play on the name Benjamin Air Rifle Company that was stamped on the end cap along with the model number. It tickles me to see gun dealers advertising that they have a Benjamin Franklin for sale!

A front-pumper
The 107 is a multi-pump pneumatic with a long pump rod coming straight out the front of the pump tube under the barrel. There is no mechanical advantage with this system. Any air that gets crammed into the reservoir has to be compressed by muscle power alone. Since about 1909, Benjamin had been using this system with their rifles. It worked okay for them, but a pistol is not as handy to pump as a rifle. You could pump the first and even the second pumps by hand. After that, help was needed. The mushroom-shaped pump rod end was put against something hard – like a tree – and the gun shoved forward to compress the air. You could get five or six pumps into the gun that way. If the tree was slippery, you could also have an accident that would leave your knuckles barked (pun intended).

Benjamin High-Compression pellets
The only .177 pellets I even knew about were in the single Benjamin tin that came with the pistol. Years later, I found other similar tins in sporting goods store and bought them immediately, thinking they might be the last pellets on the planet! This was in the 1950s and information about things like airguns was in short supply.

Benjamin-pellets-web
These are Benjamin .22 diabolo pellets and .22 lead balls, but the tin for the .177 pellets is identical. It looks like old-fashioned patent medicine.

Power was low
Even with as many pumps as I could muster, the pistol wasn’t too powerful. I suppose I over-pumped it, thinking it would get faster. All that happened was the onset of valve lock. I’ve never chronographed one of these pistols, but I’d be surprised if they went much faster than 300 f.p.s. with vintage Benjamin pellets.

Accuracy was limited by the pellets
In the 1950s, my pistol could hit a tin can at 25 feet and that was about it. In the 1990s, I tested another 107 with modern pellets, and it grouped about two inches at 33 feet. That’s okay, but it doesn’t compare to a Beeman P1.

Benjamin was stubborn and Crosman carried the day!
The Benjamin Air Rifle Company was always quite conservative. They held off switching to the compound underlever pump linkage until 1938, even though Crosman had demonstrated its superiority back in 1924. The first underlever pump they offered was an attempt to convert the front pump to an underlever through a “Rube Goldberg” arrangement of levers and linkage points. It was horrible and worked poorly. Their conservatism eventually cost them their company, which Crosman purchased in 1992.

Benjamin-transition-web
Benjamin’s first underlever pump was a weak attempt to adapt the front pump to an underlever. It did not work well!

Tell me about YOUR first airgun
Using the comment section, please share your first airgun with us. Everyone has a first gun and probably more memories of it than they care to admit. Love it or hate it, it helped make you the person you became.

author avatar
Tom Gaylord (B.B. Pelletier)
Tom Gaylord, also known as B.B. Pelletier, provides expert insights to airgunners all over the world on behalf of Pyramyd AIR. He has earned the title The Godfather of Airguns™ for his contributions to the industry, spending many years with AirForce Airguns and starting magazines dedicated to the sport such as Airgun Illustrated.

183 thoughts on “My first airgun”

  1. I’m not very old(16) so the memories of my first (and only) airgun are fresh. It’s a Rutten winstar 200(i think it has something to do with browning) Belgian airrifle that shoots quite well, not very hard or accurate but OK.

    Tod

  2. Tod,

    Hold on to that rifle! The Winstar 200 was made for Browning and was also sold under their brand name. I believe Pyramyd still has one available.

    There were only a few electricly cocked air rifles made. I say 200 and Blue Book of Airguns says less than 400.

    Your rifle is a collectable that will appreciate in value with time.

    B.B.

  3. My first air rifle was the ubiquitous Crosman 760…(probably the first for MANY). Had a well developed forearm from the many enjoyable hours sinking pop cans at our local dump. My only laments are the loss of places to shoot and the attitudes of many that having an airgun means you’re up to some sort of mischief. We had a specific set of rules we had to follow on – when and where- we could shoot. Have carried those common sense rules all my life and never endangered myself or others. By far more dangerous to drive down the street everyday to go to work…………..shoot safe, be safe, enjoy shooting for a lifetime.

  4. S J,

    I’m sure you are correct about the 760 being many shooter’s first airgun. I’ve talked to several people who indicated it was theirs. I bet we hear from some of them here.

    Good advice on shooting behavior, too.

    Thanks,

    B.B.

  5. Does a Red Ryder BB gun count? It was the first thing my dad bought me when he returned from WW2. I wore out several. I didn’t follow the usual pattern. Went from BB guns to shotguns and hi-power rifles, then to a Sheridan silver streak sometime in my early teens. Still think of Sheridans when i hear the term “air guns”. Love ’em.

  6. Denny,

    Of course a Red Ryder counts! You must have seen the movie, “A Christmas Story!”

    A Red Ryder is, “… the Holy Grail of Christmas gifts.”

    However, it is not a 200-shot gun, nor did a real Red Ryder ever have a compass in the stock. Author Jean Shepherd was confused when he wrote that.

    Daisy did make a run of special Christmas Story Red Ryders that do have large compasses in their stocks. They bring about $300 new in the box.

    The guns made for left-handed Ralphie (the several “Old Blue” guns) were all for a left-handed boy. They are unique. I know a gentleman who owns one that he will not take $10,000 for. And actor Peter Billingsley still has one of them, too.

    B.B.

  7. I still have a Benjamin model 132 pistol which I recently renovated by substituting an “o” ring for the leather piston. It would not shoot at all but now will produce about 220 fps with 10 compressions. My father bought it many years ago. I am now working on an old Daisy springer rifle model 25 which will barely spit out a bb. I don’t know when it was purchased but I believe it belonged to my brother who is older than I am. (This is pretty old). One of these days I am going to have to get an airgun bluebook.

  8. My first was a Crosman 760! Shot it a lot, pretty accurate too! I even made a bb/pellet trap in Middle school shop class. Used it ’till college, when I bought a S&W 78g.

  9. B.B.

    My winstar is a break barrel spring piston air rifle and not an electricly cocked. Would you please give the link on pyramid air. And I doubt it is a collectable, me and my dad only bought it 3 years ago for about 7000 belgian francs ($175).

    Tod

  10. I don’t remember the model number, but it was a Daisy lever action. Not a Red Ryder, really looked like a Winchester .30-30. It loaded through a gate on the right side of the receiver just like the Winchester, and had a thumb tab on the fake “magazine tube” you had to push forward to spring load the BBs. This was like the mid to late 60’s.

    It stayed at my grandparents house where I usually spent my summers. They lived out in the country in the coastal aprt of North Carolina and there wasn’t anything much to do. I used to shoot at the crabs in the shallows off my granddad’s dock. If you shot them enough times, fast enough you could keep them from getting into too deep water where they were gone for good.

  11. Tod,

    I am familiar with the Winstar.The underlever cocks half on the open stroke and half on the cose stroke. As I recall, the gun buzzes badly when shot.

    They were sold by Pyramyd AIR, Compasseco and Cherrys.

    I think they didn’t make it here because of the low power and heavy weight.

    B.B.

  12. Donnie,

    The Blue Book of Airguns, 5th Edition has a lot of information of Benjamin airguns. It’s sold by Pyramyd AIR, the dealer who hosts this blog. You can visit them at:

    https://www.pyramydair.com

    Got to the Accessories page and look under Books, Videos and games.

    Your Benjamin 250 is a CO2 gun that uses 8-gram cartridges rather than the much more common 12-gram powerlets. Get them at a luggage store where supplies for portable bars are sold. They operate seltzer bottles.

    Your gun was made between 1952 and 1956. It is worth $65 if it holds gas and shoots. If the black nickle is still present and you have the box, the gun could be worth up to $150.

    B.B.

  13. My grandpa just bought the same gun that you had as a child. It has “benjamin Franklin” in quotes on the left side. Engraved on the bottom is Benjamin Air Rifle Co. ST. Louis U.S.A 177, but he can not find a model number. He would like to find some reading material as to the history of the air pistol, any advise of where to look.

  14. I own a Benjamin Franklin and no, it has no model number on it…I’m trying to find out if it can be restored to original condition. It was my first gun, given to me by my grandfather. I was about 12 years old at the time in the mid 50’s. I used it many times and enjoyed every minute with it. I could shoot feathered darts or pellets. At some point it began to not hold air and my son thought it could be fixed…he took it apart and thats the way it has remained since.

  15. kbudge,

    Of course your Benjamin can be restored. And by the way, the name “Benjamin Franklin” on the left side of the receiver is a play on the company name – the Benjamin Air Rifle Co. That’s why it’s in quotes.

    Before I can tell you who to send it to, I need to know what model you have. Is it a rifle or a pistol? How is it pumped?

    If it shoots darts, it must be a smoothbore gun because darts will ruin a rifled barrel. If it’s .a pistol I’m guessing it’s a model 130. If it’s a rifle, I’d guess it’s a model 310.

    As long as the important parts are all there, your gun should be repairable.

    The model number should be on the end cap behind the cocking bolt.

    Please answer these questions and we’ll figure who to send your gun to.

    B.B.

  16. I have a 22 caliber Benjamin Air Rifle Co. pistol, Model 132. It was given to me by my father as a Christmas present In 1948, maybe 1949. It is an underbarrel lever pump that still holds air pressure and delivers the pellet with quite a punch. Other than the fact that the blueing is very worn, it is in excellent condition. Does it have any value?

  17. I bought a benjamin air rifle model no.700 at a garage sale for $10.00. it’s in need of a good cleaning and I don’t think it holds air any more. The barrel appears to be brass and pumps in the front like the picture of the pistol at the top of the pyramyd air report. Also the gun seems very small to me. Thats about all I know about it. I also have a Crossman 600 semi automatic co2 pistol, shots .22cal. pellets. In the box. What can you tell about these guns?

  18. Your Benjamin 700 was made from1930 to 1939. It fires 3-4 times from one pumping session, which entails 10-12 pumps. That’s compared to about four pumps for a single shot rifle. The front pump has greater swept volumn, so it compresses more air with each stroke than an underlever style.

    The Crosman 600 is one of the only true semiautomatic pellet guns ever made. Crosman just came out with their Nightstalker, which is partly based oin the 600 action. There are 10 shots per magazine and you’ll get 30-33 shots per powerlet.

    This blog has several articles that refer to the 600. Do a search on the current page of the blog or look at the September 30 index of past postings.

    B.B.

  19. my first iar rifle was a Crosman 760. I bought it at the local dime store when I was 10 years old with my paper route money. I am now 47 and I still have my crosman!

    Needs to be rebuilt. Know where I can get a kit?

    dsw

  20. dsw,

    I know of no kits, but I have listed 4 repair stations that can help you. Manufacturers are reluctant to sell parts to the public.

    Use the archive section on the right side of the current blog to navigate to the July 20th posting.

    Good luck,

    B.B.

  21. My first airgun was a Daisy Red Ryder.

    A year or two later I bought myself a Benjamin 397. Until then i had thought the Daisy was pretty accurate.

    Though truth be told i could hit stuff with the Red Ryder that i probably couldnt now…
    I guess thats what happens when you spend so much time with a gun you don’t even have to use the sights anymore…

  22. Kenneth,

    What you have is a Benjamin, not a Benjamin Franklin. That’s just a play on the company name.

    The 312 was made from 1940 to 1969. They range from a low of $45 to a high of $125 in the Blue Book of Airguns, but if you have a black nickle gun with most of the black still on and the original box, it could be worth even more.

    B.B.

  23. BB
    Thanks for the info. question: Is the serial #’s on Crossman’s web page accurate in dating my benjamins? If so, I found out that they are a ’63 & ’64 yr models.

    Thanks again
    Kenneth in Utah

  24. first airgun was a diasy, don’t know the model number, it was lost durring a move as a child, I got it when I was 6 and shot probably a hundred thousand BB’s through the thing over the next 5 years, it was one of the lever action guns with a 350 or so bb magazine and no forend.

    Next one was a single shot muzzle loading daisy with a peep sight, raised comb and beavertail forend, never have seen a model number on it, but it was acurate as any BB gun I’ve ever shot! I bought that one when I was 9 at a garage sale for $2, still have it and shoot it ocasionally.

    after that I moved on to pump crossmans and such, but those first daisy’s wehre really something that I’ll remember for the rest of my life, and pass the one on to my own kids.

  25. I saw the 499 on the pyramid air site, and I agree, it’s exactly the same right down to the “medalion” on the stock (mine is on the other side) so I imagine that’s what it is, I think I’ll buy another one next paycheck, I had no idea they where still available!

  26. BB, I got my Model 720 Benjamin BBgun, in the 50s. Its still in good working order, but could use a refinishing and no doubt new seals for the air pumping mechanism. Can you tell me where I might find someone to do the restoration, Please?

  27. BB

    My son is out growing his Daisy Timberwolf, great little gun by the way, it just doesn’t have the accuracy or power he desires now. I was wondering if you could suggest a good inexpensive next step.

    Ed

  28. My first BB gun was and is a Benjamin 710 modle that my father gave me in 1959 at age 10. It was given to him by his father(my Grandfather)and I would like to restore it to give to my son. Who would you recommend to do a full restoration on this gun?

  29. Linda,

    I need two things to help you – the model of the gun you have and its condition.

    The model number is on the circular disk at the back of the gun above the grip. It’s a large three-digit number in the center of the disk.

    For condition, please look at the gun in this posting. It has about 70 percent of its black nickle over the silver nickle. If any brass is showing, tell me how much.

    Finally does your gun work? Can it be pumped and will it hold air for the shot?

    Tell me that and I will tell you something about your gun.

    B.B.

  30. Was wondering if you could tell me what a benjamin air pellet rifle? 132 is worth my grandfather gave it my son and we know nothing about it, please help. Thanks

  31. Stephanie,

    I looked on Ebay, but they had apparently already pulled your gun.

    A Benjamin 132 is a common air pistol that sells for $50-80 in working condition. I was at an airgun show yesterday and could have bought a dozen of them in that price range.

    They were made from 1946 to 1985 and the older ones with the “Tootsie Roll” wooden pump handle and black nickel over silver nickel finish are the most valuable. The guns with plastic grips and paint instead of plating are the least valuable.

    B.B.

  32. Thanks for the info, yes they took it off. I had a high reserve, just put it on to see the value. Ours has the wooden grips, as you mentioned. It does work as far as I know, but we have never had any pellets to try. Thanks alot!
    If I ever did want to sell it, do you know where I could?

  33. I can’t remember the make/model of my first airgun. It had a plastic ring that held (I think) 5 .177 pellets, and you rotated the ring after each shot. It had a wood forearm and stock, and cocked like a Red Rider. The muzzle velocity was low – it struggled to penetrate a tin can from farther than about 15-20 feet. That was c1975. Like many of our childhood relics, the gun just seems to have vanished – I have no recollection of what happened to it.

    Tony Turley

  34. Tony,

    You had a Daisy 400-series pellet rifle. It’s not a common airgun. Essentially, it’s a BB gun that has a red plastic pellet magazine grafted into the left side of the barrel.

    They were weak, inaccurate and problematic, so they didn’t last long. There were seven models and they were in production from 1972 to 1976.

    B.B.

  35. Hello, I just aquired a Benjamin Model 132 from a friend for $20.00. He said It didn’t work and had all the finish or paint off down to brass. He had made very nice polished wood hand grips to match the wood pump handle. All that was wrong with it was a trigger jamed with the locking pin. I oiled it up and put three pumps in it and a 22 pellet and from experience I could tell it fired with around 300 ft/sec velocity. It seems solid and looks good except for the original finnish being off. anyone have an Idea what year it was made.
    Thanks Art

  36. While foraging through my late father-in-laws’ basement my son found a Benjamin air rifle. Markings: Left side: “Benjamin Franklin” Made in USA T 30322. Right Side: cal 177 model 347. Rear end of tube: Benjamin Air Rifle Co. St. Louis, U.S.A. Questions: How do I use it(Does an owners manual exist)? If not, what does it fire?; How many times may it be pumped before firing?; How do I oil it?; How do I determine if it is in “firing” condition? Sorry about all the questions. Your help is greatly appreciated. pgdiesman@fuse.net

  37. Benjamin 347,

    Your rifle was made between 1969 and 1992. It is a .177 caliber multi-pump pneumatic air rifle that fires one lead pellet at a time.

    The gun is oiled by flipping it on its back (stock on top, barrel on the bottom) and opening the pump lever as far as it will go. Then drop some Crosman Pellgunoil on the pump head that is just starting to emerge at the base of the pump slot. If you can’t find Pellgunoil, non-detergent motor oil will work. Don’t use 3-in-1, WD-40 or anything else. Use five drops and work the pump handle in between each drop. That spreads the oil to the entire pump head.

    Pump the gun five times, then withdraw the bolt until it clicks. Don’t load a pellet for the first shot. Just return the bolt to its closed (forward) position and attempt to fire the gun in a direction where it would be okay for a pellet to go. The soft ground is always the best place for this.

    If the gun holds air, it will pop loudly when you shoot it. If the sound is quiet and sounds springy, the rifle needs to be resealed.

    Use only pure lead pellets in this gun. Never clean the barrel – it is made of brass and can be damaged. If a pellet is stuck in the barrel use a gun cleaning rod (.177 caliber) to push it out of the breech, working from the muzzle.

    If the gun needs to be fixed, contact this man:

    George Pena
    George is at heligun1@msn.com or 512-863-2951.

    You can pump this gun a maximum of 10 times per shot. You can also pump it a minimum of three times.

    Always store the gun with a pump in it.

    B.B.

  38. I have the same “Benjamin Franklin” .177 cal. pistol as yours at the top of this posting, and mine has a large “177” in the center of the disk at the rear of gun, surrounded by “Benjamin Air Rifle Co. St. Louis USA”. This is consistant with Crossman’s dating scale that calls this a “Model 177” made in 1935.

  39. Robert Beeman says in the Blue Book of Airguns that no Benjamin (they are NOT Benjamin Franklin! That’s just a play on the company name. That’s why it’s in quotes.) air pistol was ever marked as model 107. Well, the one in this posting is, and I owned another one as a child..

    The 177 number is the more common marking for the same pistol.

    I’m not aware of a Crosman dating scale (have to look into that) but the Blue Book puts the dates at 1935-1941.

    B.B.

  40. You can see the dating scale at this site:
    https://www.crosman.com/site/date_manufactured_benjamin

    Scroll down quite a ways to the Benjamin Pistol models. I realize that “BF” was a pun, and that’s why I put it into quotes while letting you know that I had exactly the same model as shown above but with the 177 Model number. I’m confused though, because the scale shows both models, and I’m wondering what would be the difference in them?

  41. I’m glad you sent me that link. It seems they have it well hidden – at least from me!

    I think the 177 and 107 model are the same gun. I think it started out as the 107 and was changed to the 177 soon afterward.

    The 100 was the smoothbore BB gun, the 107 was the .177 pellet gun and the 102 was the .22 pellet gun.

    But why were the 177 and the 122 designations used? The only thing that I can think of is that somebody realized they already had a model 100 pneumatic rifle, which is the one model they did not redsignate in the pistol line!

    Beeman says it never happened, but I’ve owned two, so I can’t accept that.

    I just don’t know.

    B.B.

  42. hay B.B. Pelletier i love your .177 Benjamin model 107 air pistol. plz plz plz tell me whair i can find an old 1 that looks like that i love it im only 13 but have had a number of air guns plz tell me whair i mite find 1 like it it remindes of a luger
    my faverit gun of all time is the M3A1 Grease Gun…thank u so much if u would like to email me my e mail is tyer7777777@yahoo.com and agin think you…

  43. Hi B B,

    Enjoyed reading your story. My first pellet gun is a Benjamin 312, .22 Cal. that was mfg. in 1965 according to the serial number. I bought it when I was 11 years old for $18. It still shoots today as it did in 1965. Also enjoyed the pictures of the pellet cans of old.
    You would not know where I could purchase some of these old .22 cal. pellets made by Benjamin would you?
    My email is teedee1333@aol.com.
    Thanks for any reply

  44. I have a 312 Ithat was purchased by my dad sometime around 1957. It has been through a fire no longer holds air and most of the brass is showing. I would love to pass this gun on to my grand kids. Any suggestions?

  45. My first BB gun was a Daisy, Red Ryder I got for Christmas in 1949. I could shoot it only when the family went target shooting or plinking. Living in Los Angeles did not provide a lot of opportunities, thus this BB gun probably had less than 500 BBs go through it.

    My next was an all-steel, Daisy pistol called, I think, a Targeteer that shot an undersize lead or steel BB. I bought it in around 1951 or 52. Mine was the cheap version and did not come in any fancy packaging or with any traps, and it was less expensive than the all chrome oir nickle model. While it was not very accurate, and was nearly powerless, I was allowed to shoot it anytime I wanted in the front or back yard. It was fun. When I turned about 16 I gave both the Daisy Rifle and Pistol to a next door, younger friend as I was into target shooting and plinking with a variety of Winchester Pump guns–my favorite, a Model 62-A (I think) gallery model that only shot 22 shorts. I bought it used, in excellent condition, around 1954. I still have it. Very accurate. I also have had a number of old Winchester Pumps from 1890 models to the standard 62. Some were 22 WRF, 22 Long (only) and a few for 22 shorts, longs, and long rifle. Unfortunately, there are very few places to shoot firearms where I live in Santa Barbara County.
    Now retired (2005) I am thinking of buying a Daisy Avanti 747 as it is supposed to be accurate, quiet, and reasonably priced. I plan to use it out in my back yard in a wind protected area. I do have a Daisy Power Line 1200 CO2 pistol that my dad bought, to scare away cats, in the mid 1980s. It is not the most accurate pistol and the CO2 starts out quite powerful and then runs down with each shot. This 1200 has probably had less than 200 BBs down the barrel. So, I don’t really care for CO2 guns, and a decent .177 or .22 target air rifle makes too much noise. I really like the Beeman P1 but I just am not ready to pony-up the dollars at this point, and I understand it is not particularly quiet.

    I enjoy reading your posts B.B., very interesting and informative. Thank you.

    Milrose

    Milrose13@verizon.net

  46. Actually B.B. I originally learned about the 747 from your review. I also dug out my dad’s old Daisy PowerLIne 1200 and decided to see if it still would work. I bought some CO2 tubes and copper plated bbs. I last fired it around 1990 and figured it might not even hold the CO2. What a surprise! At 10 yard I shot a few 1″ groups–I think it might do better but I am not so sure about my grip and hold. At 25+ yards it was still dead on for plinking soda cans and 1-quart milk cartons. The first 25 or so shots came out of the barrel with gusto–no way to measure fps but the aiming point was right on, no noticeable bb drop. While the trigger and grips leave a lot to be desired I have quite a bit more respect for this air pistol as a plinker. Like all CO2 guns, the speed of the last 8 or 10 shots was not impressive and it is not particularly quiet.

    Milrose

  47. hi my first airgum was a push air gun called a gat gun then i purchased a crossman 766 and have had it for 30 years and had some fun with it in that time i now shoot full bore and b/p pistol all started from these
    regards
    craig uk.

  48. I have aquired a Benjamin 107 target pistol it has the under barrel pump on it. The one I got is in the orignal box and has a tin of .22 cal pellets with it. The problem is there are no instructions with it. I have tried to fire it but it feels like its not getting any pressure when it is pumped up. The fire lever pulls back and when the trigger is pulled it fires but with no air going through barrel. Can anybody give me information as to where I could get information and what I can do to get this pistol to fire?

  49. mrk,

    Your pistol probably needs to be resealed.

    But try this first.

    Remove the pump rod and pump cup and smear Vaseline Petroleum Jelly on the leather pump cup (a leather washer on the end of the pump rod). This trick is one Benjamin put in the owner’s manuals.

    Then reassemble the gun and cock it before pumping. Sometimes that will help.

    This guy can reseal it for you

    Dean Fletcher has a book on Benjamin that has the manual for your pistol in it. Just Google him and the word Benjamin.

    B.B.

  50. 177 is on the back cap. it seams to be in good condition , havent shoot it yet, but hade to oil the plunger to build air pressure, it look like the one on the Friday, November 11, 2005 posting

  51. Okay. The model 177 was made 1935-1941 and not resumed after the war. It looks like the gun shown at the TOP of this post. The gun shown at the top of this posting is nearly in excellent condition. Only a little of the black nickel has rubbed off. It would be worth $150 in working condition.

    Now there was a different model 177 that looks like the pistol at the BOTTOM of this post. That one is in excellent condition and is worth $175 in firing condition.

    A gun worn down to brass is worth $75-$85 in firing condition.

    B.B.

  52. What you call chrome is really nickel plate. It’s under the black that you see in the picture.

    The repair stations are listed in the comments above.

    The Blue Book of airguns says there were never any guns marked as 107s, but I owned two of them, and you can see that number on your gun. It was made from 1935-1941.

    B.B.

  53. My first air rifle was a crossman model 1400 in .22 caliber. This was in 1968 and I lived in rural Camarillo,California and at that time the area was unspoiled and heaven on earth for a kid like me.I lived for hunting with my air rifle and I loved to shoot more than anything ealse.Over our fence was thousands of acres of walnut trees,oranges and avacado orchards.I really loved to plink the green walnuts because they would explode with a hit from the ponderous .22 pellet.My friend Greg Barnes had a Sheridan in 5mm. I was in awe of the Sheridan and its bullet shaped pellets and it was superior to my Crossman. I was very impressed with its power and how easly the pellet would go through both sides of a coffee can!!

  54. marksman 1010 repeater-a classic. i loved that thing and still have it today. i was a bit disappointed though when i first tried to shoot a pellet with it and the pellet topped off at 75 fps!

  55. hey My grandpa has a 766 American classic .177 caliber pellet/bb crosman Air Gun 881205973. It doesnt hold air anymore so I was trying to find some new o rings for it but I am having a had time finding anything, if you could help that would be great, Brett

  56. The 720 was made 1947-1964. It’s a BB caliber. That means it is a smoothbore and this one, being a 25-shot repeater, isn’t supposed to be loaded with pellets.

    With all the finish gone it’s probably worth $80-100, if it is working.

    B.B.

  57. BB.

    First air gun huh? Mine was a Red Ryder given to me last Christmas as a gag gift. I had mentioned to a friend that I had never had a BB gun. As the oldest child it was always “you’ll shoot your eye out.” So in my mid 50’s I finally get one! He even took an old wooden bread box with the flip down front and made me a BB Range! He hung sheepskin inside to stop the BBs.
    Did I shoot it? You better believe it. When I asked if they made BB Pistols, (yes. There are people who in this day and age are not aware of that fact) he brought over his Crosman 3576 pellet gun. WOW! The next day I and my wife purchased a Crosman 3576 and a Daisy 617X. That was in January of 2007. We now have those along with a PPKS; a CP Sport; a Desert Eagle and my latest one a Gamo Compact Competition.
    I stumbled across your blog a couple of weeks ago and enjoy it a great deal. I am working my way up from the beginning and you have answered many of my new to air guns questions.
    FYI. I am right handed and right eye dominant. However with my bifocals I not able to focus on the front sight so what currently works for me is to take my glasses off and wear shooting glasses and sight with my left eye which is the one that will focus on the front sight. I have set up a 25ft. range in my basement and find a small pair of binoculars work for my long range vision when I need/want to see where I shot.
    Thanks to your blog I am working on shooting with one hand and both eyes open.

  58. Perhaps one of these days if you ever get to Omaha Ne.
    Just read the Nov. 28, 2005 blog on How to shoot one handed. Gonna have to try that one. 🙂

    Thanks.

    Rabbitt

  59. i have a benjamin model 134. found it while cleaning out the attic to move(also found a WW2 M1 Garand bayonet). might have belonged to a previous home owner. it fires very well and holds air.
    i have been unable to find a serial number, and according to crosman, it was manufactured around or before 1954. it needs some light work: re-brassed and the pump lever tightened. any idea on a value and where i may be able to auction it at?

  60. Morning America. My name’s Rog and I come from Eastbourne, East Sussex, England. My first air rifle was a .22 BSA Meteor (bought by my mum age 10 – that me not my mum – for £28. I moved on through my childhood setting up plastic soldiers at the end of my garden with a friend who had a .177 bsa. I tried a .177 panther artillery before somehow buying a 347 benjamin franklin – boy that is the business. Now approaching 40 I have bought several pistols for my 3 sons – a plastic plinker, an ever populat G20 (I think that spits ball bearings) but also a webley tempest). From a boys perspective the lads love to plink at a few cans, i still remember the great fun with the benjamin. Fortunately I’ve still got the lot at home – what great sport.

  61. i am in the uk so its quite hard to get some air guns around here. The first gun i had was a S&W Combat Delta bbgun it was electric and not alot of power but hey it was fun to shoot my mates with! Then i recently got a b2 .22 air rifle and a 3-9X40 scope and it works a treat! keeps all of those pesky crows away!

    Good shooting
    Dizz

  62. Well, after firing off two or three bbs in a shed( putting holes in several cans of paint and oils )I cannot really say what my first one was for I was kept from them for quit a while. Anyway I have a question, I came across a crosman .22 #130 pistol in a shed while cleaning. It works it has grip covers off (Rusted screws). It pumps good and shootd

  63. Hi Y’all:

    Just uncovered my old Benjamin model 317, 177 cal., rifled, custom stock my dad bought for me back in 1964. (Thanks Dad, had a lot of fun, miss you)It needs repair. Where can I send it? The link hinge pin and spring is broken and the air cylinder probably leaks after all these years. I would really like to shoot it again and pass it on as a working hearloom. Can this gun be reblacked?

    Thanks
    GP

  64. My first airgun was a powerline 856 thats about 17-18 years old. I still use it but its showing its age, and is starting to lode power and acuracy. I’ve cleaned and lubed it as per the directions but its just not as good as it used to be. So, Im in the marker for a new air rifle.

  65. My first airgun was a Crosman CO2 single shot. Sorry but I don’t know the model number. I next obtained a brand new Benjamin Franklin model 312. I had many good times with that little rifle. This was in the early 60’s by the way. One day, I went to get the 312 and it was missing. I looked everyplace possible and it was just plain gone! My Mom said that I probably got sidetracked and left it leaning against a tree somewhere. I never did find it and eventually moved on to powder guns like .22’s.

    Anyway, fast forward to the year 2007. I was visiting with my father who had just moved into a retirement home and he told me that he had some stuff that he didn’t need anymore and wanted me to look through it all before he gave it to Goodwill. He dragged out something long wrapped in an old sheet. I took it from him and couldn’t believe my eyes. There in it’s finest glory some 40 years later was my old Ben Franklin pellet rifle! Somehow, when he and my mom divorced, he ended up with the gun and never gave any thought to the fact that it was really mine. Anyway, we are reunited again and it is in remarkably good shape. It has one of the barrel V sights on it that is missing the knurled locking piece to keep the sight in one place but other than that I would grade it a 7 or 8 out of 10 just because of the blue being rubbed off in places and the sight issue.

    I would like to find another sight for it but so far what I am finding is terribly expensive. Probably twice the price of the gun when it was new! If you have any suggestions, please feel free to share them. My e-mail is imaham@prodigy.net

  66. I have a Crossman model “130” air pistol that I purchased at a flea market recently for ten dollars and it seems to need resealed (low air pressure) would appreciate any info on reseal kits and its history.

    Regards, Reggie Stafford

  67. What a great read. Thanks BB for getting this started.

    My first bb gun was a Daisy Model 25 I inherited from my dad. Not sure the actual age but its got the 6 groove handle, fixed front site, engraved hunter and dog logo just in front of wooden stock and pheasant logo farther forward on the action. There are 5 pats listed (1,097,244 1,114,491 1,136,470 1,220,649 and 1,573,383).

    I plunked many cans and sparrows with this great piece as a kid. Later, with paper route money I purchased my own Crosman 766 pump to do some real birding and to compete with a buddy’s Sheridan pellet gun. All that pumping sucks though when compared to the one pump cock-and-load of the old Model 25 and I still grab it for back yard plinking.

    I’m now ready to hand it down to my 10-yr-old as his first and only hope he gets all the nostalgia kids need these days and can’t seem to get from Video games. Any other tips and suggestions to find the manufacture date of my rifle are much appreciated.

  68. Skuleb0y,

    Your model 25 is a 1936 variation. They were made between 1936 and 1952-54, with time out for World War II. I have blogged just the model 25, so you should find additional information there, as well.

    It’s impossible to pin the date down any better than that. In 1952 Daisy began experimenting with electrostatic paint to replace the blued steel and styrene stocks to replace the wood. By 1954 they were completely changed over.

    B.B.

  69. A working Benjamin (not Ben Franklin – that a joke – it’s in quotes) 123 is worth $60-75. If it has the old black nickel finish over silver nickel and the finish is 100 percent, it’s worth about $200-250. If the finish is worn to brass, it’s worth nothing more than as a working gun.

    B.B.

  70. well i got my hands on a benjamin 392p. i’v been looking online and foundout thers a recall on it because sometimes they go off when you switch the safty off. the seral # starts with a I. o.O couldnt find it. the gun dose not work. so what i was wondering is…Is ther a kit that will fix the gun and the problem? or do i have to send the gun off.

  71. my first was a crosman pro77! it worked very reliably and never had any problems. also, at the same time i got a gamo recon which has also worked reliably, accuratly and everything above! people say its not that powerful but its very efficient and can kill decent sized small, live game! i will never let go of either 1!

  72. brus-kee,

    The Benjamin 30/30 was made from 1962 until 1976. I went on the Crosman website (Crosman bought Benjamin in 1991) and they have serial numbers by date, but not for your gun. However, the first numbers they have are much higher than yours and they start in 1982 (at 100001). So I would put your gun in the late 1960s. That’s just a guess.

    B.B.

  73. I am 52 years old and I started in the early 60’s with Daisy BB guns, but in the mid 70’s I was able to pick up a used Silver Streak in .20 caliber which I have to this day. It still looks and shoots like a champ with no loss of power or accuracy at all. A few years ago I also inherited my grandfathers Crossman model 105 “Bullseye” pneumatic pistol in .177. I believe he bought it in the 40’s and I was using it just yesterday. Now that’s a pellet pistol that will go on forever. The serial number is mid 13xxx, but I’ve never found the year of manufacture. My Silver Streak serial number is mid 76xxx. Any ideas as to what years these treasures may have been made?

  74. Guy,

    Thje Crosman 105 was made from 1947 to 1953. The Sheridan Silver Streak was made in 1974. Sheridan only started putting serial numbers on their guns in 1972.

    All this information is on the Crosman website, under Customer Service.

    B.B.

  75. My son has his first air gun. But all of the surrounding cities have an ordinance. What am I to do and I was told to ask the Lake County Sheriff, and they will tell me where my son can shoot. Do you have any other suggestions?

  76. How old is your son?

    What gun does your son have?

    What caliber? What state do you live in?

    Has your son graduated from a firearms safety course taught by instructors affiliated with the NRA?

    I can make recommendations if you will share this information with me.

    B.B.

  77. I found your blog while looking for information on my Grandfather’s old Benjamin pistol, model 137. It has walnut stocks. Most of the black finish is worn off, but there’s almost no brass showing. Grandma says he used it for shooting rats in the attic of their old house — anything more powerful would have put holes in the house. She dug it out for me because something has been killing my chickens, so I needed a varmint gun, and we live in a rural subdivision where I don’t want to risk sending a bullet into a neighbor’s house. I’m 51 (and female) — I guess this is my first air gun! It seems to work, but I still have to go buy some pellets for it. Grandma thought she had some, but couldn’t find them (she did find ammo for some of Grandad’s other guns that she gave to various family members after he died, though). I had to ask a friend who shoots to help me figure out how this thing works — I wish it was more than a single shot, as I can see needing more than one pellet to bring down a large raccoon…guess I will have to work on being a very good shot!

    K.M.S.

  78. K.M.S.,

    Welcome to airgunning! At 51 you are the average age of an adult airgunner. I’m 60, and I still feel young in the company of others at airgun shows.

    The 137 is a great start. Because it takes so much to get ready for the one shot, you will learn not to waste it.

    You can get pellets at Wal-Mart, if you have one of those nearby. Get the ones with the flat noses (called wadcutters), or get Crosman Premier hollowpoints or try Gamo Rockets.

    Your pistol is too small for shooting raccoons. For that you need a more powerful rifle. Your pistol will only would them and they then go off to suffer and possibly die a long time later.

    The manual for the currect Benjamin pistol might help you understand your gun, because they haven’t changed that much. See it here:

    /manual/BenSherHB17

    Oil the pump head of your pistol every 6 months with common household oil. To get to the head open the pump handle all the way and the pump head is just visible in the pump slot underneath the pump tube.

    Always store your pistol uncocked and with one pump of air in it.

    B.B.

  79. I recently acquired my dad’s old pell gun and have a few questions. It says on the box and papers with it that it was manufactured by Crosman and it’s a model 130 .22 cal pistol. Everything on the gun is black and it looks like all of the parts/pieces are there. I was wondering if you can still get the pellets for this gun, and how would I be able to get it appraised? I don’t ever see myself getting rid of it, but for insurance purposes I would like to see what it’s worth. It seems to be in good working order. I have the original box w/stand up cardboard, instructions and parts list. This pistol was purchased back in 1958 for $13.95 at a Coast to Coast store!

  80. 130,

    How about a blog report on your pistol?

    Look here:

    /blog/2005/9/another-oldie-crosman-130/

    Your pistol with the box is worth up to $100, depending on the condition of the gun. It is .22 caliber, and ,22 caliber lead pellets are what it shoots. They may not be available at Wal-Mart in your area, but any large sporting goods store will have them

    B.B.

  81. I recently acquired a Benjamin Franklin Model 132 cal 22 pistol with a brass barrel. The bolt is very hard to pull back,possible bent. How hard would it be to find this part? Or is there another way to remidy the problem? Also does it fire a special pellet or will all 22 cal work?

  82. First off, don’t look for Benjamin Franklin, because they don’t exist. You have a Benjamin pistol. The words on the gun are in quotes, connoting a joke, or play on words.

    Second, you do need a working bolt. Try this man:

    Third, your pistol uses common .22-caliber airgun pellets. Any brand will work.

    B.B.

  83. Patrick,

    First of all, it is not a Benjamin Franklin. That is a joke, which is why it is in quotes on your pistol.

    You have either a Benjamin model 110, 112 or a 117 pistol. The 112 and 117 are a .22 and a .177, respectively and the 110 shoots both BBs and .177 pellets.

    The pistol shown is now worth at least $150, but if the black finish is gone, the price drops. If the silver nickel underneath is worn to brass, the price drops even more.

    A brass gun in working condition is worth about $80.

    B.B.

  84. I have my father-in-laws model 117 Benjamin air pistol, but the front pump pivot is broken. It is fixed at the front of the pump tube and appears to be an aluminum alloy. Are parts available
    thanks,
    Gail

  85. Gail,

    Your Benjamin 117 is the transition model, just like the last picture in this report. Their pump linkages are very fragile, which is why that design didn’t last long.

    Parts are available from parts guns, like yours. Unfortunately, they all tend to break the same things.

    This man may be able to fix your gun:

    B.B.

  86. BB, I started reading all the blog postings to get a hang of the material being covered, have learned a lot.

    I stumbled upon the My first Air Gun blog posted on november 11, 2005 and it got me thinking, on 1976 i was only 8 years old, my father bought a crossman 766 american classic, to teach me and my brother, he was 5, safety around guns and to shoot. That rifle gave us lot's of fun afeternoons plinking and hunting lizzards on our backyard. It also turned us into rabid shooting fans, we saved and as we grew up, bought a couple of other air guns like the corssman Pacemaker revolver in .177, Crossman 622, .22 co2 repeater, daisy multi pump in .177, which we gave to our younger brother, a daisy pistol, much like the 747 but in .22, and the best trade i ever made, got a FWB 65 for a set of old golf clubs.

    Definitely the most fun air guns we ever got at that time, were a pair of LARC's if I am not mistaken their models were the m-19 and m-19mp, maybe you remember them they were freon powered bb full auto machine guns; they were given to us by a friend of our dad that bought them from and ad in the back of guns & ammo. those things will run through a can of freon in a couple of bursts, but they provided an outlet for our enginerring/inventor skills when our father declred them to expensive to run at our current pace. my brother and I sat down one saturday and figured a way to run them without freon, first we took an old water hose and cut two equal lenghts, we fastened one end to the freon adapter using hose clamps and the other end to a couple of 12 volt tire air compressors, they would build around 40 to 50 psi of pressure, enough to inflate the hoses to around 110% their diameter, then you could get like a half second burst, enough to shoot bb in full auto up to 25 feet, not much range but lots of volume.

    Sadly I dont know the wereabouts of all this guns, I suspect that when we left home for college my mother either gave or threw away all the guns except the FWB 65 that one was stolen from me.

    Thanks a million for your blog, got me thinking and remembering a lot of fun moments with my brothers.

    If you can do a blog on the bb machine guns, the full auto kind not he burst ones like the droz

    Mario J.

  87. My father gave us his old 766 American Classic .177 Crosman. I know you aren’t talking about that air gun right now, but your blog does say “There are no stupid questions”. The seal has dried out and I have been trying to find someone to repair it, or a place to purchase one so we can replace it ourselves. Is the gun worth the trouble? If so, can you send me in the right direction to fix it?
    I enjoyed reading about everyone’s first gun, even though I won’t pretend to know half of what you are talking about. I think I’ll show this blog to my husband. He’ll really enjoy it.

  88. Candy,

    You can ask any question at any point in this blog.
    Nobody will say anything, and these readers are the finest people in the airgun world.

    Here are two places that can repair your father’s old Crosman 766:

    Rick Willnecker in PA. Contact him at

    or call 717-382-1481.

    I
    s it worth the trouble to repair the gun? Well, it is if there is a lot of sentimental value attached to it.
    But the 766 isn’t a valuable gun on its own.

    You will notice a striking resemblance to the
    Remington model 77 AirMaster that Crosman makes for Remington today:

    /product/remington-airmaster-77-kit?m=334

    That rifle sells for $73, so it might be less expensive to buy new in this case.
    An overhaul will cost $35-40 and then there is shipping both ways.

    B.B.

  89. I have found a Benjamin Franklin .117 “under pump” air pistol submerged for at least 4.5 years in a metal bucket full of Kerosene. I have used gasoline and paint stripper to remove the “gunk” from the gun, just to clean it up. I’d like to be able to use the gun to say “hi” to some pesky squirrels and I’m wondering about a schematic and/or internal replacement parts. Are any available? I understand from the blog that the gun is not very powerful and I’m not looking forward to putting a lot of money into restoration. I’d just like to get it working. I realize I may not have used the proper “cleaning” products on it but I can only go forward from here. I appreciate any help or insight into bringing this air gun to functionability. All parts appear to be present and assembled. It does seem like the “safety button” is stuck or frozen due to the gunk. I am reluctant to dismantle the gun without a schematic to aid me in reassembly. Thanks in advance. FYI…I am a 42 year old man and I like to tinker with stuff. I am not a “gun buff” or zombie killer though I have nothing against gun buffs nor zombie killers. Thank you. One more thing, I came in under “anonymous” because the other choices are greek to me. My name’s James and I am happy to communicate via email.

  90. Probably about a thousand people have said this, but my first was Crosman 760. That thing turned me into a real Crosman fan. I got it up in Tennessee when I was younger to shoot in my Grandpa’s back yard, but we eventually moved down to Florida, in a small town called Bradenton, and there was nowhere to shoot it there. I constructed a target out of an old box, an old raggy towel, and a paper target taped to the front. Of course, in our small, clustered home, holding an air rifle didn’t give you a lot of room to move around in, so I bought an air pistol and the 760 was reserved to shooting on my uncles property on the weekends.

  91. My first was a Sears model 799.19052 lever action, 40 BB gold-receiver rifle bought in about 1971. (Ted Williams!)My brother had one just like it. I still have it. I wiped the dust off about 6 years ago and could not get pressure – until I dripped oil into every hole and moistened up the seals. Now it still will drive a tack! The only other airgun I have had is a Daisy 1200 CO2 pistol. It drives tacks, too.

  92. Hi Anonymous,

    Thanks for your comments. The old guns are great. I gave my Crosman 140, circa 1958, to my 32 year old son last winter. You’re right–lots of good memories.

    B.B. writes a daily blog Mon-Fri. You replied to one that was written in Nov 05. Come join us at https://www.pyramidair.com/blog and share ideas with, learn from and teach a whole bunch of folks with a common interest in air guns.

    Mr B.

  93. I have a Benjamin Air Rifle Co., hand pump pistol , Model 132. It has not been fired for many years and I am trying to find out what pellets are available. It seems to be in very good mechanical condition with wear from usage but the bluing is still preety much intact except for the top of the barrel which is shiny bare metal. I am assuming it's .22 caliber. Any ideas on where I can find suitable pellets?

  94. by the way I'm 49. I bought this gun for 20 bucks used it for a couple of years before the leather seals broke. have had this gun for 'bout 15 yrs. and yes this is my first airgun.

  95. Mike,

    If you haven't resealed a 137 before you may not want to do it yourself. At any rate, you cannot buy the parts from Crosman (who owns Benjamin). You'll have to buy them from an aftermarket parts dealer like Bryan and Associates or Crooked Barn.

    Personally, I would just send the whole gun to Rick Willnecker and be done with it.

    After the job is done, keep the pump head greased with petroleum jelly, per Benjamin.

    B.B.

  96. You have a Benjamin (NOT Benjamin Franklin! The quotation marks around Benjamin Franklin means that is a joke–a play on the company name) front-pump pistol that looks like the one in this report.

    Parts are impossible to buy. They must be made.

    This man can fix your gun for you:

    Prepare to spend at least $50, at the minimum. He might also buy it for parts.

    B.B.

  97. my first gun was a targeteer that shot .118 i never knew that they made pistols with that small of a bb but i was woundering if you had any idea of its price

  98. OK, now we're cookin'. The Daisy Model 118 Targeteer in mint condition is valued in the area of $150. If yours is chrome plated and not part of a shooting gallery set (very rare to have the pistol AND the gallery), you add 35% to this value. If your pistol has a non-adjustable rear sight, add 10%. If you have the original box with spinners, shot and targets, add another 15%. A pistol in 90% condition commands $90 plus all of the foregoing.

    Now if you had the Number 320 which was the Targeteer with the shooting gallery set, you're talking $400 in mint condition but this is described as "uncommon".

    JT48, hope this helps. If you are interested in learning about air rifles and guns, start reading the older blogs. There's a ton of information to be had. New blogs are published Monday thru Friday and can be found at

    https://www.Pyramydair.com/blog/

    We welcome off-topic questions and comments and you will get the most exposure there as few of us monitor these older ones.

    Fred PRoNJ

  99. My first air rifle was an early
    1970s Crossman 761. It had a brass body and I shot everything from Squirrels to Rabits to Frogs. Which my friends and I ate. I would never kill anything I didn't plan on eating. I have the best childhood memories with that rifle. I wish I had kept it.
    I just bought a Benjamin air pistol 137 not sure if it shoots yet but Im glad I found your site.

  100. I was given a Benjamin Franklin Mod. 137 177 cal. on July 24 1951 for my 11th birthday, purchased from Guarantee Hardware Wi. Rapids Wi. A great gift from my Mom & Dad. I still own this fine air gun & was shooting it today. I cannot find a serial number on it. It shows some wear on the barrel etc. I could not estimate the thousands of pellets fired from it. I hadn’t shoot it for a least 25 years, put some light oil in the pump tube hole and away we go. Great to read about all the other owners that have these old air pistols. I will probably give it to my grandson along with my Win. Mod 42 410 pump shotgun given as Christmas gift the same year. What wonderful parents I had.

  101. My first real air gun was a model 312 Benjamin .22 caliber pump, brand new in 1968. I still have the gun, the yellow box and all the papers. Very accurate and a solid high quality rifle. I rebuilt the seals and springs five years ago and it works as always. The painted lacquer finish (?) is still there, faded to a patina but very little brass showing through. I take it into the back yard frequently to keep the pump cup and seals alive, and treasure it greatly. I just finished resurrecting a friend’s 720 BB repeater that needed the full nine yards, and love that loading tube design. You just have to be careful that you empty out all the bb’s when you are done, and the last one or two comes out using gravity. Great guns all!

  102. My first air gun was a Crosman 760 which was a Christmas present I received when I was about 11.

    I begged for that gun and when I checked the presents under the tree, there was not a box big enough to hold the gun. Massive disappointment that ruined my x-mas morning. When all the presents were opened, I tried to maintain my composure. My mom said, let’s put everything down an eat breakfast then you can go back to playing. I had to force myself to eat, utter disappointment.

    After eating, my mom told me, “Wait a minute, I think I forgot to give you a present.” She went to the back room and returned with a long wrapped box. Opening that was one of the most memorable times of my childhood. There she was , a new Crosman 760. I almost stroked out. With in half an hour, the valve was leaking and would not hold air; I was pissed. We sent it off 2 times for seals before I let it rot in the corner of the garage. This particular gun was an absolute failure.

    That summer we bought a Benjamin 312 and I never looked back; what a gun and I still have it. Tens of thousands of rounds through it and it’s still dead on with the old factory peep sight. Factory sealed once and twice by me. You’d better bring a dump truck to hold all the critters that fell to this gun as a kid. Coons, opossums, squirrels, crows, doves quail, frogs, starlings and even carp swimming in the shallows.

    At 52 YOA, I now own (3) Benjamin 312’s, (2) Benjamin 347’s, (1) Benjamin 317 pistol, (1) Benjamin 312 pistol, a Sheridan Blue Streak and (2) Sheridan Silver Streaks.

    I wouldn’t give .05 cents for a Crosman 760, it damned near ruined my childhood…..ha!

    • John Boy,

      Welcome to the blog.

      It’s a pity that you didn’t know about Crosman Pellgunoil back then. It probably would have saved you rifle. Fast leaks like yours are caused by dirt on the valves. Pellgunoil flushes the dirt and seals the gun instantly. I have witnessed this happen so many times that it is almost mandatory for me to oil a new gun.

      On the 760 the oil goes in the pump cup felt, where it gets on the pump cup and is forced into the valve while pumping. The owner’s manual describes how to do it, but it doesn’t tell you why you are doing it.

      /airgun-resources/manuals/crosman-C66.pdf
      (read paragraph 8 very carefully)

      Your Benjamin 312 needed oil the same as your 760, for the same reasons.

      /blog/2014/05/airgun-lubrication-pneumatics/

      B.B.

  103. I have a Benjamin Model 130 Air Pistol. It is marked with “Benjamin Franklin” on one side (yes, I know this isn’t the actual name 🙂 ), “CAL BB” on the other side, and “130” on the back end. There are no other markings – no serial number.

    I am trying to identify the date of manufacture. I read somewhere that serial numbers were used after 1956.

    • Riff,

      Welcome to the blog.

      You have posted to a report that is 11 years old, so very few people will see your comment, but I see them all.

      Does your pistol have a black nickel finish over a silver nickel finish (the black may mostly be gone)? Does it have wooden grip panels? Is the pump handle a wooden Tootsie Roll? Those are all indicators of an older version of the gun.

      According to the Blue Book of Airguns the 130 was made from 1946 to 1985. You can find serial numbers and dates of manufacture on the Crosman website.

      Answer my questions and we will try to pin down the approximate age of your pistol.

      B.B.

  104. It used to have a black nickel finish over a brass body – the finish was very worn, so I had stripped it down and repainted it.

    Has the wooden grip panels and the wooden “tootsie roll” pump handle.

    The Crosman website seems to no longer have that serial number/dates listing.

    I’d post a picture, but I don’t see any way to do that here.

    Thanx for your help!

    • Riff,

      You said you “repainted” the finish, but it wasn’t painted originally. It was black nickel over silver nickel over brass.

      The grips tell us the most. They were wood in 1950 and plastic by 1958. The guns were still nickeled after ’58 and still had the wood Tootsie Roll handle. Of course grips can be replaced, but I think your gun was made before 1958.

      B.B.

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  • Shipping Restrictions

    It's important to know that due to state and local laws, there are certain restrictions for various products. It's up to you to research and comply with the laws in your state, county, and city. If you live in a state or city where air guns are treated as firearms you may be able to take advantage of our FFL special program.

    U.S. federal law requires that all airsoft guns are sold with a 1/4-inch blaze orange muzzle or an orange flash hider to avoid the guns being mistaken for firearms.

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  • Expert Service and Repair

    Get the most out of your equipment when you work with the expert technicians at Pyramyd AIR. With over 25 years of combined experience, we offer a range of comprehensive in-house services tailored to kickstart your next adventure.

    If you're picking up a new air gun, our team can test and tune the equipment before it leaves the warehouse. We can even set up an optic or other equipment so you can get out shooting without the hassle. For bowhunters, our certified master bow technicians provide services such as assembly, optics zeroing, and full equipment setup, which can maximize the potential of your purchase.

    By leveraging our expertise and precision, we ensure that your equipment is finely tuned to meet your specific needs and get you ready for your outdoor pursuits. So look out for our services when shopping for something new, and let our experts help you get the most from your outdoor adventures.

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  • Warranty Info

    Shop and purchase with confidence knowing that all of our air guns (except airsoft) are protected by a minimum 1-year manufacturer's warranty from the date of purchase unless otherwise noted on the product page.

    A warranty is provided by each manufacturer to ensure that your product is free of defect in both materials and workmanship.

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  • Exchanges / Refunds

    Didn't get what you wanted or have a problem? We understand that sometimes things aren't right and our team is serious about resolving these issues quickly. We can often help you fix small to medium issues over the phone or email.

    If you need to return an item please read our return policy.

    Learn About Returns

Get FREE shipping on qualifying orders! Any order $150+ with a shipping address in the contiguous US will receive the option for free ground shipping on items sold & shipped by Pyramyd AIR during checkout. Certain restrictions apply.

Free shipping may not be combined with a coupon unless stated otherwise.

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