by B.B. Pelletier
I watch the gun auction websites looking for an airgun bargain or two. Sometimes, I see the most ridiculous things, and I hope you’re not being taken in by them.
Be wary of “Benjamin Franklins”
When a dealer lists a Benjamin airgun as a Benjamin Franklin, it’s a sure bet he doesn’t know what he has. The words “Benjamin Franklin” on the side of the receiver were just a play on the name and have no meaning at all. Usually, the same dealers will ask $250 for a common model 130 pistol that’s lost all its finish and has had the brass metal shined up. They look nice but are worth about $50 to $70 in working condition.
Beware of RARE!
Many gun dealers list common airguns as rare because they have never seen one. I see all sorts of Daisys and Crosmans listed as rare, but I know they’re very common. Currently, the big deal in rare airguns is the S&W 78G and 79G in like-new condition in the box. Folks, those guns are almost ALL in that condition! If you find one that isn’t, it drops from a $175 gun to a $90 gun pretty quick.
Another currently “rare” air pistol is any Webley Senior, Mark I or Mark II. You see these being offered at $300+, but you can pick them up at airgun shows for half that. Gun dealers just don’t know the airgun market that well, and anything that looks well-made is likely to get an inflated price tag.
Ignorance can work in your favor, too
The same gun shop that thinks their “Benjamin Franklin” front-pump rifle is rare and valuable may not give a second thought to the Daisy 1894 Texas Ranger Commemorative BB gun standing in the corner. While the all-brass Benjamin is worth about $70, the Daisy can be worth up to $600! And, there are many others like it.
A “Christmas Story” Daisy Red Ryder can bring up to $350 in the box. This is a model Daisy never made until author Jean Shepard mistakenly wrote it into his now-famous book that became a classic Christmas video. Shepard blended the classic lever-action Red Ryder with the compass-stocked Buck Jones pump gun in his novel, and Daisy built a few guns to honor the movie’s success. Most were purchased by collectors. Once again, expect nothing less than new-in-the-box when it comes to these.
Be on the lookout for the strange and different
Not all airguns are known and documented. You might stumble across one that’s never been seen by collectors. If so, you are probably sitting very pretty. There were hundreds of airgun makers in the 1920s and not all of their guns have been located, so there is a good chance of finding something unknown. At an airgun show, there are enough deep pockets in the aisles to reward the finder of a new type or model of airgun – especially if it is American.
So get out there and turn the rocks over. It can be very rewarding! Just remember that not everything you read on the internet is true!
I’d love to attend an air gun show. Where, when and how often are the best ones?
There are only a few left this year. This comes from Shotgun News, where they have a monthly airgun column. In June they ran a list of all the airgun shows this year.
The Daisy Get Together is in Michigan on August 28. Call Wes Powers at 517-423-4148 or email WTPO@peoplepc.com.
On November 4 & 5 the 15th Annual International Airgun Expo. will be held in Roanoke, VA. This is the oldest and largest airgun show in the world. Call Fred Liady at 540-344-1677 or email fred@airgunshow.com.
Hope to see you there!
B.B.
B.B.
Thanks for your response yesterday on the RWS 94. Excellent information. Thanks
I have another question, specifically about the RWS 94, but a question that can apply to any air gun.
The advertised fps for my gun is 825 (.22). So far, I’ve shot 1000+ pellets through it. Using 14.3g CP’s and Benjamin pellets (14.3g), I am getting an average fps of 680, with a low of 660 and 1 high of 697.
Is this typical to get approx 17.5% less fps than advertised? Based on data retrieved online, these numbers seem very low.
Would it be that this specific rifle is underpowered? Do springers need time to break in?
Your opinion would be appreciated.
Thanks
Bloo,
Yes, springers require a break in and 1,000 shots is about it. Your experience is not uncommon, but with lighter pellets your gun will shoot faster.
Some springewrs will shoot as rated, but my experience is that those made in Spain and China usually don’t.
I will do a posting on springer and advertised velocities for you.
B.B.
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Thanks for the info. Im trying to sell a Benjamin 317 .117 with a rifled barrel, and am having difficulty finding buyers. Can someone please help me out? Would someone be so kind as to tell me what exactly I DO have? It functions flawlessly and has all original parts. Here are the where the pics are located. at ebay they are the “benjamin.jpg” pics. Thanks again for your help.
Evan,
Your Benjamin 317 was made between 1940 and 1969 (from The Blue Book of Airguns, 5th Edition for sale on Pyramyd Air’s website) and yours was probably made in the 1960s because it is painted rather than plated.
It’s worth $40 to $60 if it holds air and shoots.
You should be able to sell it immediately on American Airguns’ website (free classified ads).
http://www.airguns.net/classifieds/classifieds.html
B.B.
My friend has an old Benjamin 177 cal pellet pistol that was made back in 1935 and its in decent shape. I thought that I had heard somewhere that those old ones like that are sometimes worth at least some money but come to find out they are only worth $60 or maybe $70 that tells me that there really isn’t a market for these at all and since the only way any old bb gun is worth anythiing is if its ”New in the box” which is something that will never happen. I guess when they get old or stop working throw them in the dumpster.
Just please send me any info. I am a female who had a grandchild that that I have not been allowed to see because of my son. The child is my sons son. i know that I know nothing about guns much less a BB Gun,Old School, not allowed to go huntng. I paid $500 for this BB Gun years ago for ths child. This is all I know Ben.Frank Modle 31-20 and it has T354628 on it. Please emal me at bayoulove@aol. Sick just would like to leave something for the my grandchild, reason I bought it. Thanks for your time, just learning bloggs, so send me emil and subject BB gun
wish you and yours well. Thank you for time spent.
bayou,
According to the Blue Book of Airguns 5th edition, the Benjamin 3120 is a .22-caliber smoothbore that shoots .22-caliber lead balls. It is smoothbore (no rifling) and was made from 1959 to 1985. In 100 percent condition, it is worth $225. If you have the box with it, add 20 percent.
B.B.
I have an airgun that has “Benjamin Franklin” printed on theleft hand side of the barrel under the sfety. On the right hand side of the barrel, right under where you load the bb’s it says CAL 22. What exactly do I have? It is a front pump rifle.
hello, i have a Benjamin Franklin air handgun CAL 177 Model# 137. can anyone tell me what price i can sell it for???? what’s it worth?/
thank you for your time
kimi
jt419@sbcglobal.net
kimi,
First, you own a Benjamin model 137, not a Benjamin Franklin. The name on the side of the gun is in quotes to indicate that it’s just a play on the company name.
A Benjamin 137 can be worth $20 for a parts gun all the way up to perhaps $110 if the gun has all the black nickle over all the silver nickle plating and is in the box. If you have a painted gun rather than a plated one, subtract $20 from the high number.
If the gun is down to brass all over but still works, it’s worth $40 or so.
To be worth the higher figure, the gun must be working.
B.B.
Hi I have two air pistols I would like to sell. The Ist one is a Smith & Wesson model 79G .177 cal pellet gun in excellent condition.
Also a Crosman Mark II .177 cal Target in excellent condition. Can aynone tell me what price I should ask.
FPW
If the S&W 79G is really excellent and in the box, it’s worth $200. Without the box $150. The Mark II is worth $125-150 in the box.
B.B.
My husband has a “Benjamin Franklin.” He can’t even remember where it came from. It has what looks like “H335140” on it. There are letters and numbers on the other side, but I can’t make them out. Would you give us a guess as to its vaule–in working condition but cruddy, with rust on the trigger. Thank you.
Connie
Connie,
It’s a Benjamin. The words “Benjamin Franklin” are in quotes to show that they are a play on words.
I need to know whether you have a rifle or a pistol. Also, can you read any numbers or letters on the back of the action (the most rearward piece of metal you can see above the stock)?
B.B.
I am doing research for an older gentleman who has a Benjamin Frankin 22 cal. Model #132 – serial # B141216 brass pellet gun with a white and black marble looking grip and wood pump. He has had this for over 20 years and would like to know it’s approx. worth or if he should sell it or hold on to it and pass it on to the grandchildren. Any help would be very welcome.
MJW Iles
MJW,
There is no airgun called Benjamin Franklin; that’s just a play on the company name that they put on the left side of the gun. It’s in quotes so people know to not take it seriously.
A Benjamin 132 late model (which yours is) is worth $125 in perfect condition with the box or $50 if it is just a shooter. If it doesn’t hold air, it’s worth $35 for parts.
B.B.
Thank you very much for your time. I have printed the information and will pass it along.
MJW Iles
I just found a BENJAMIN FRANKLIN air rifle Model 342 22. cal serial#T103819 in the attic of my old house. I checked the nubers through crossman and apparently it was made in ’68. It is in awesome shape and shoots like a dream. all i have done to it is wipe the dust off. Do you think it has much value?
The Benjamin 342 was manufatured between 1969 and 1992. In excellent condition, an unboxed rifle is worth $125-150. The Tootsie Roll pump handle adds to the value, bringing it to the higher end.
Always store the gun with one or two pumps of air.
B.B.
Hi I have an air rifle made from the benjamin air rifle co. and am curious to see how much its worth, and any other info you can tell me about it. It is a model 317 and does not have a serial code so i know it is older than 1957. it currently does not work and depending on what infor you tell me about it, and how much its worth. I will most likely try and fix it myself. Please E mail me back at honor2him@hotmail.com
honor2him,
There are 2 Benjamin rifles bearing the 317 number. The oldest is what we call a front-pumper. It has a rod sticking out the front of the gun that is pumped. The second is an underlever pumper with the Tootsie Roll pump handle.
The first style was made 1934-1940. A gun with no finish left (down to brass) is worth about $100 if it works.
The second version was made 1940-1969, though probably few were made during the war years. With no finish remaining it is worth $75 in working condition.
The original finish for both guns was black nickle over bright nickle over brass.
Parts don’t exist for these guns so unless you have a lathe to make some of the valve parts, you are better off sending it to a qualified repairman.
Here are two good ones:
Pyramyd Air
Boris
888-262-4867
https://www.pyramydair.com
George Pena
George is at heligun1@msn.com or 512-863-2951.
B.B.
The Benjamin 342 was manufatured between 1969 and 1992. In excellent condition, an unboxed rifle is worth $125-150. The Tootsie Roll pump handle adds to the value, bringing it to the higher end.
Always store the gun with one or two pumps of air.
B.B.
Why should you store a gun with one or two pumps of air? I always thought that you shouldn’t store them with any air in them. Or is it just that one particular type of gun?
All pneumatic and CO2 airguns are stored with air or gas in them, if possible. It keeps the valves sealed against contaminents in the air.
A few guns have been designed to prevent this practice, but you do it if at all possible. It is written in many of the older manuals, but taken out of the newer ones for liability reasons i.e., a loaded gun.
A gun stored under pressure lasts for decades. One that’s left empty starts leaking within years.
B.B.
Re: 10/10-3:39pm Thanks for the info.. You’re good guy for helpin’ everyone out like ya do !!
Hi. I recently aquired some vintage airguns. One is an American Luger pellet pistol. Could you possibly direct me to where I could find an exploded view/parts list for this gun? Also, somewhere I might find available replacement parts, ammo, and short CO2 cylinders for this gun? Thanks….Phil
Phil,
You have a very valuable air pistol! You might contact Dean Fletcher for a schematic. These guns weren’t made too long and the factory support is sparse, so it may be a treasure hunt.
Google Fk
letcher’s name for his contact info.
B.B.
Hi B.B.: Thanks for your response. I did contact D.T. Fletcher. He informed me that there are no schematics or parts for this gun. He advised to sell it on an internet auction. I appreciate your help. Thanks again.
Phil
Dear Sir:
I have a “Benjamin Franklin” air rifle, model 310, serial # H174538 and a”Benjamin Franklin” pistol, 177Cal., model 137, serial # B105746. Both in excellent condition. I would like to sell these since I am moving to a retirement home and would like to know how much to ask for them. Thank you kindly.
Joe Jongebloed
Joe,
To be considered excellent, both guns need to have at least 95 percent of the original black nickle over silver nickle with no brass showing and they do have to work.
The 310 is worth $95-125 and the 137 is worth $100-125.
B.B.
i have a air rifle’ xionghad b-6z question” who makes it
Some company in China, for sure. I don’t know which one.
B.B.
I have the Benjamin 317 .177 cal sn H330060 bought new years ago….Is there a source for new seals on the ram?.. It won’t pump up now…Do you know what year this gun was made?….Thanks ….Glenn
Glenn,
Benjamin assigned the number 317 to two different rifles. The front-pumper was made 1934-1940. The underlever pumper was made 1940-1969. With the later gun you can tell how old it is by the finish. Black nickel over silver nickel over brass is older than the painted brass version. Check with this guy for repairs:
B.B.
Thanks B. B. for the reply, I’ll contact John……Glenn
After looking at the crosman web site I noticed that the difference between the model 107 and the model 177 is that the 177 is rifled and the 107 is not.
ALWILDMN@HOTMAIL.COM
Actually the benjamin cenntenial model 87 .22 cal, came all brass and is very rare and worth some money unlike the “polished fakes” i know because i used to haev one before my house was robbed…:(
Saw youre post about the webley mark II target model. Just purchased one for $350 Did I make a fool of myself???
A Mark II Target pistol should sell for $350 if is has a lot of blue remaining. If it doesn’t just wait ten years and the value will catch up with the price.
B.B.
I just reciveved a Benjamin 132 High Compression Pellet Gun. This model has the Plastic model handle and the wooden handle pump. I shot this gun this past weekend, and it holds air wonderfully. It has a brass shaft with a decent amount of wear and the serial? is B 20078.
Two questions.
What is the approximate value of this gun? There is no box and prior to this past weekend, it was not shot in about 40 years.
And,
Does this gun need to be cleaned? and is there a way to clean it??
Thanks,
A girl that is very new to this all..
Traci,
Since your gun still shoots, you can help it by storing the gun with two pumps of air in the gun when it is stored. That is an uncocked gun with two pumps of air in it to seal the valves against airborn dust and dirt.
I usually recommend just one pump, but your pistol has been dormant so long that the seals are probably hardened. We want to put some flex back into them, and this is the way to do it.
Also, flip the pistol upside down and open the pump handle all the way. At the end of the pup slot closest to the grip, drop in three or four drops of household oil (3-in-! – yes WD-40 NO!). Then pump the gun and shoot it 10 times. Do that about every month or each time you take it out to shoot, if not that often. That oil helps the pump cup seal more air when it pumps.
Your gun was made in 1956, according to the serial number. You can look that up on the Crosman website (they own Benjamin).
No cleaning is ever necessary, except for wiping the outside down. The barrel never needs it. A gun in the condition you describe is worth $50-80.
B.B.
I just bought a Benjamin 137 with wood grips and tootsie roll pump. It seems to have black over nickel finish on metal parts. A little of the black is worn off. 1. can the black be restored or can it be blued? 2. do you recommend 3in1 oil and can I use pellgun oil in it?
The black finish is fragile and cannot be restored successfully, to my knowledge. It isn’t bluing, and a brass gun cannot be blued. Preserve the gun as it is and don’t wipe it with anything other than a soft dry cloth.
Pellgunoil is fine for your rifle, and so is Three-in-One.
B.B.
I have just received my benjamin model 340 from my childhood. Having several brothers much younger than I, I am thankful only the bolt is missing. As I remember it was held in by a long “no head” screw on the side of the bolt that also acted as the cam to seal and lock the bolt in the down position. This is going on 40 years of memory so it could be foggy. I don’t remember any other parts that could have fallen out with the bolt missing. If I am incorrect please inform and can I find the bolt anywhere?
Thanks,
Steven
Steven,
You are right. Try this man for the bolt:
B.B.
I have a xionghao b-6z air rifle. I found it in my garge and i was woundering on the back ground of this gun like the ammo it uses and how much its worth. if anyone could help me that would be great. Thank you.
Thank you B.B.
I’ll give John a try.
(hehe not much of a collector piece on this one… its shiny as a new penny… yes, I read the entire post.. you know your stuff)
thanks again,
Steven
Lubbock Tx.
I guess I have a knock off since it is stamped “Benjamin Frankliin:. It stamped Benjamin Air Rifle Company – St Louis. Where can I find disassembly and assembly instructions?
You do have something strange. I’ve never heard of a misspelling of the word Franklin on any of these guns before. That is a roll stamp, so I would have thought they would have checked it closely before stamping an actual gun. Maybe the fix was the remove the extra i by engraving and I should look for a small space in the word between the one i that is supposed to be there and the n.
Contact Dean Fletcher for one of his books that has reprints of Benjamin airguns assembly instructions. Doug Law also sells Fletcher books.
http://members.aol.com/vintairgun/home.htm
http://www.bigspringguns.net/books.htm
B.B.
Would really like to find out what my gun is worth and how I should sell it.
These are the facts:
I have an instruction sheet with repair part description and price list.
5 Benjamin targets.
2 tins of pellet.
Question and car sheet.
The Benjamin target pistol.
The box which seems to be original has 132 on the side.
Pistol has “Benjamin Franklin” on the left side back of the gun and has 132 with Benjamin air rifle St. Louis USA on the back of the gun.
Please advise.
Thank you,
Allen
Allen,
You have a nice outfit, which makes it worth more than the gun, alone. The 132 is the most common gun Benjamin made and condition plus age will determine what your gun is worth.
First let’s look at age. The oldest guns had all wood grips and pump handle and were black nickel over silver nickel over brass. A gun is near-perfect condition like that is probably worth $175-200. If half of the black is missing but not too much brass shows, it’s worth $125-150. If a lot of brass and a little silver shows, it’s worth $75-100.
Later versions had painted finishes and the last versions had plastic grips. Either of those in perfect condition is worth $125. In brassy condition they are worth $75.
Next let’s talk about boxes. The oldest box is medium brown color. The next oldest is green and the newest box is blue and yellow.
The 132 was made 1946-1985.
B.B.
Do all Benjamin Model 130 Air Pistols have serial numbers?
Benjamin 130s were made from 1946 to 1985. Crosman has a list of serial numbers by year going back to 1957. There were numbers a few years before 1957, but apparently not all the way back.
B.B.
Thanks, B.B.
We found my father-in-law’s Benjamin Model 130 last week, but can’t figure out how old it is. He passed away 15 years ago, so he’s been long gone and we won’t be able to question him about it. We were hoping the absence of a serial number would give a clue as to when it was manufactured.
Got another question, if you don’t mind. I’ve always been taught to check the chamber/barrel of my pistols (.357 magnum and .44 colt) whenever I pick up the weapon to ensure the pistol is cleared. Is there a similar procedure you recommend for the Benjamin Air Pistols?
Thanks.
130,
There are clues beyond the serial numbers to determine age. For example, your gun is an older one (no serial number) so it had a black nickel over silver nickel over brass finish. The black wore off fast, but the silver lasted pretty well. Also, the pump handle on the older 130s was more slender than the later ones. The grips were flat wood panels – plastic grips and painted finishes came much later. Your gun was made between 1946 and about 1954.
Unfortunately, the bolt pushes the pellet past the point where it can be seen, so once a pistol like this is loaded, it’s impossible to tell with a safe visual inspection. One way to know is the pass a slender rod like a straightened coat hanger down the muzzle. It it exits the open breech, the gun isn’t loaded.
Always store your pistol with a pump or two of air in it (and uncocked). It will hold air for decades if you do.
B.B.
Thanks, B.B.
Didn’t think the 130 Pistol was that old! But you described it to a tee…black nickel over silver nickel (can’t see brass finish yet), and flat wood panel grips. The pump handle, however, is wooden and tootsie roll-shaped.
Thanks for the safety tip. Regarding your comment about a straightened coat hanger…that explains the straightened wire hanger I found in the cardboard box my father-in-law’s pistol came in.
130,
You have a box for the gun? That will help with the dating!
The first box (1946-1956) had a green cover. The second was blue and yellow and lasted to the end.
I’m guessing on those dates, as they have never been established, as far as I know. But the sequence is correct.
B.B.
B.B.:
The box is neither green nor blue/yellow. It’s cardboard brown! The top half of the box cover reads “Benjamin Target Pistol” in 1-inch letters. Centered on the bottom half of the box cover is a drawing of a man aiming a pistol at a target in his home. To the left of the drawing is a 2-inch circle with “500 pellets HC Benjamin” and some text printed in the circle; to the right of the drawing is another circle with the words “One Pound Highest Quality Steel Air Rifle Shot” and more text printed in that circle. Printed on the side of the box is the text “Benjamin Air Pistol”, while another side has the the numbers 130 stamped in 1-inch high letters.
I didn’t think the brown box was made that late, but for certain you have the very earliest 130 possible. My guess is 1946-1948.
B.B.
Thanks, B.B., for that info. This sort of pieces together the mystery of the air pistol!
If you give me your e-mail address, I’ll send you a few photos I took today of the gun and its box.
Thanks again for the info.
130.
130,
Thanks, but we don’t have that facility. However, I am pleased that you now know what you have.
B.B.
B.B.:
Thanks again.
130 out.
I had no idea air guns were so popular! THANKS I have a “BENJAMIN FRANKLIN” model 312
22 cal. w/rifling serial #H122330
was my fathers, his fathers and I believe his fathers. I believe it to be all original BUT, the writing (placement of the writing
is not the same as I saw on one being auctioned ? ? ? Whats up?
How do I verify and/or were there
differances in production.
Please Help!
Thanks
That serial number places the manufacture of your rifle in 1959. Crosman has a serial number /tear chart on their website under Customer Service.
Sm,all changes such as the location and content of print on the the guns is in constant flux, so there is nothing to be concerned about.
As far as subtle production differences, you need to contact a real serious Benjamin collector.
Go to this website and ask your detailed questions:
http://www.network54.com/Forum/405945/
Oh, and by the way, your gun is not a Benjamin Franklin. Those words are in quotes because they are a play on the company name. It was a joke that has been lost due to changes in entymology and the use of English over the decades.
B.B.
I have a “Benjamin Franklin”
air gun front pumping. There
are no numbers of any kind on
the gun. My Uncle told me , back
in the 40’s that it was 177.
Can you give me any info on this?
Thank you Dick Reed
Dick,
You either have a model 100 or model 107. The model number would be on the back of the gun, on the flay behind the bolt.
It can be repaired (I assume it no longer works) by this man:
If it still has all the silver nickel it’s worth about $100. If it’s down to brass, it’s worth about $60.
B.B.
My neighbor has a 1975 Benjamin air rifle model 342 serial no 243460. It is wood and black metal. It works and looks good. Where is the best place to put an ad to sell this for him? Also, how much is it worth? (Approx.)
Thanks for any help you can give.
P.Lyle
P.Lyle,
The best place to advertise this airgun is here:
http://www.airguns.net/classifieds/classifieds.php
It should be worth $80-125.
B.B.
I have a “Benjamin Franklin”, model 132 22 cal air pistol that i’ve had for many many years. Just took it out and the trigger (seems like the only cast piece) broke off. I disassembled it and would like to buy the trigger. I’m sure all gun stores stock that trigger 😉 anyhow I’d either like to get the trigger or sell the parts. Anyone have ideas or offer? Thanks, –Norman
Norman,
This man can serve both your needs:
He’ll either fix it or buy the parts.
B.B.
I have a Benjamin air rifle model 312 (serial H 35602) that is not holding the air. Any advice on how to repair it, where to buy the parts and where could I find find assembly instructions ? I do not live in the US so it is hard for me to send it for repair however I believe I can repair it myself if I have the proper instructions and parts.
Thanks
Ozzie
Ozzie,
B.B. is still out of town, but I got this answer from him by phone:
Someone who would probably have this is Dean Fletcher (FletcherOR@aol.com). I see that the Crosman site does not have the model 312 manual in the list of vintage Benjamin gun manuals, so you’ll have to get from a secondary source.
Edith (Mrs. B.B.)
Thanks Edith (and B.B) I will contact him
BB I have a model 310 Benjamin Franklin that belonged to my father-in-law. I have had it in a closet for several years. I recall it did work in the past, but now it pumps up tight but when I pull the trigger nothing happens. I haven’t been able to find a manuel or any info. except your blog. I’m in Northern CA. (Tracy, CA) Any info. you can give me?
I used to drive through Tracy on my way to and from Ft. Louis, WA. I lived in San Jose. You live in some beautiful country.
And you are a near neighbor of the man who reprints the material you need to disassemble your rifle. Dean Fletcher lives in Oregon, not too far north of you.
He used to have a website, but it shut down last October. However his books (which are mainly replrints of vintage literature) are available from this man:
http://www.bigspringguns.net/
If you just want to get the gun fixed, contact this man:
B.B.
Thanks B.B. for the referals. I’ll try to contact them.
Terry from Tracy
I have a Benjamin Model 130, Serial Number B102329. Is it possible to date the gun by serial number? Thanks. -Mike
Mike,
Here is a link to the site that will help you date your gun using the serial number:
https://www.crosman.com/airguns/service/benjamin
kevin
Thank you, Kevin! I appreciate your help!
-Mike
BB, I found a restored Benji 122 front pump, the blueing looks to bee fully restored and the gun looks pretty nice is the price of 125$ good? Take a look for yourself
http://airgrips.com/ he says it’s pre WWII
Anonymous that found the Benjamin Model 122,
The “blacking” of the barrel has hurt the collector value of this pistol. Condition is key to gun value (airguns and firearms) and the owner says, “amber colored tiny freckles on it’s side, and two places on the trigger guard where there is corrosion”, read “rust”.
Let’s be generous and say the condition is 80%. The current blue book of airgun values says it’s worth $90.00.
Hopefully B.B. will chime in later with his opinion. B.B.’s opinion is more accurate than mine since he’s been an airgun collector for a long time and regularly attends shows where vintage airguns are bought and sold.
kevin
Here is B.B., chiming in,
The 122 is a front-pump Benjamin that’s very early. It was made from 1935-1941. There is no way to restore the finish correctly, so far as I know, and what Kevin says about it destroying the value is correct.
But the entire field of Benjamins is advancing, and the front-pump guns will be at the front of that. I would say that a working 122 should be worth $100-125 in this condition. Just don’t think of it as original, which is worth $250-300.
B.B.
if anyones interested,I’m selling my front pump benjamin #122 on ebay.
Anonymous with the Benjamin model 122/102,
Good luck. Ebay usually removes ads for pellet/bb guns within 24 hours of being posted.
Although you will have to state a price that you will accept (unlike an auction site) this is a great site to sell/buy airguns on:
http://www.network54.com/Forum/79574/
If you prefer and auction site, gunbroker.com is primarily a firearm site but does have a catagory for airguns.
kevin
hi, i have recently Acquired a benjamin 3120 air rifle. i noticed that when i pumped it up five times, there is a slight air leak near the start of the pump handle. what is the best was to deal with this?
-sam
Sam,
Your rifle needs to be resealed. Here is a good place to send it:
B.B.
hello i have a benjamin franklin 177 caliber model 137 serial number B121932 WAS WONDERING WHAT ITS WORTH?
keith campbell
discovery bay california
Keith,
The final value depends on the condition of the gun. Crosman says yours was made in 1959, so it should be a later model with plastic grip panels, maybe a wooden pump handle and a painted finish. In average shooting condition, your pistol is worth $80-100.
Were it black nickel over silver nickel over the brass They are all made of brass) the value would be 10 percent higher. But not if a lot of brass is showing.
B.B.
I have a Benjamin 3100 Serial #H362078. This gun was my grandfathers and I have had it for 25 years. This gun is in excellent condition. I still have the original box and I think its the orignal tins with the BBs still inside. I did have the pump fixed several years ago because it would not hold air, but it works great now. I shot it yesterday and its one of my favorite guns. I would never get rid of this gun, but the person that repaired it said it was worth about 200.00, but he did not know that i had all the original stuff. Does that sound about right.
Jay,
If your gun is in excellent condition and has the box and manual, then yes, it's worth $200 and maybe a little more. Airgun values have plummeted over the past two years, so expect to get 40 percent of what something would bring in 2008.
B.B.
Sam,
I have a Benjamin Franklin high compression single shot model 137 call 177 out of the box. Cereal number B155168 made in St. Louis USA and it is a air rifled pistle.
I have several benjamins from late 50s to late 60s new old stock never ben used, did the manufacturer send them with air in the chamber? If not what could be the damage from sitting so long?
The seals may have dry-rotted. Do the guns hold air? That's the real test.
B.B.
hi i found a Benjamin model 317 .177 cal hiding with my late grandfathers .22 cal model 122 Marlin rifle and have spent hours trying to figure out the year of the Benjamin, based off the serial number im guessing the age is around 1955 but I know nothing about guns whatsoever so it’s a useless guess. The serial number is H33584, do you think you would be able to help me out? I’ve also been trying to find the year of the .22 cal but the only indication of a serial number is HI engraved on the left side of the barrel near the sight. I’m not trying to sell them I’m just a dork for antiques
Welcome to the blog.
Serial numbers are a recent thing. I think Crosman (who owns Benjamin and Sheridan) has a serial number index somewhere on their customer service webpage. According to the Blue Book of Airguns the 317 was made from 1940 to 1969. With the serial number it has to be from the ’60s I think.
The Blue Book of Firearm Values would be the place rto research the rimfire.
B.B.
My friend has an old Benjamin 177 cal pellet pistol that was made back in 1935 and its in decent shape. I thought that I had heard somewhere that those old ones like that are sometimes worth at least some money but come to find out they are only worth $60 or maybe $70 that tells me that there really isn’t a market for these at all and since the only way any old bb gun is worth anythiing is if its ”New in the box” which is something that will never happen. I guess when they get old or stop working throw them in the dumpster.
civil war,
Howdy and welcome to the blog.
There are a few old 1930s Benjamin air pistols that are worth over $100, but condition is everything. Yep, you are right on for the value of one that doesn’t hold air.
Now, you said BB gun, which is different than a pellet gun. There are older BB guns that are worth thousands of dollars, but most people would have at least some sense of their worth when they saw them.
For example a Benjamin pump BB gun from 1899 could be worth several thousand dollars, but if you saw one you would suspect it was valuable.
A 1949 Sheridan Model A multi-pump pneumatic rifle now brings over $2,000 if it works.
It all depends.
BB