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Thread: So I have this old pellet gun...

  1. #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by Dr. Who View Post
    It should go by the serial number. Based on what looked like the serial number on your rifle (206560 ?), it seems to be the 1970's version (1974 I think). https://www.crosman.com/discover/cro...-product-dates

    Per the Production Reference chart (see same link), it should be this one.


    Model 342 Pneumatic, .22 cal. pellet, single shot w/ under lever pump & checkered stock & fore end (1st var.) Rifle 1968-1986
    I'm not quite sure about his date of manufacture. That list has always confounded me. There are three things about the description that are not accurate. His is not the first variant. The first variant has the old tootsie roll pump handle. I have several. The serial number usually begins with a "T". I have some that also do not begin with a "T". His does not have the checkered stock and fore end, and I have both styles, smooth like his and checkered.

    Please understand I'm only pointing out things I have encountered over the last 25 years of collecting Benjamin air guns.
    I also have several Benjamins that are pre-serial number which dates them to before 1957.
    The green box of the two I show is pre 1957. They are very hard to find.
    Red Green
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  3. #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by Retirednsmilin308 View Post
    This thread sure has seemed to have brought out the kid in most of us, hasn't it?
    Few things are as relaxing and as enjoyable is plinking away with a good BB gun or pellet gun.
    The first thing my step son does when he comes over is plink out the back door with the scoped 342.
    We've got tin cans hanging on the back fence.
    I've scoped a few Benjamins with old Weaver V22 scopes.
    Did you know those old air guns will destroy some scopes?
    It's from the double recoil action of the air gun.
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    Quote Originally Posted by Crepitus View Post
    Cool find. I had a crossman model 140 that had a similar problem. The darn thing was so old the seals in the pump cylinder were leather. Replaced them with rubber and it worked like a charm. Wish I still had it.
    Actually acquired a couple of old Crosman 140's in a package deal a few years ago. Sold one to my brother as it was his first air gun also. His original was stolen many years ago. I think I still have the other one.
    They have a distinct sound that's different from a Benjamin.
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    Quote Originally Posted by BenjaminO View Post
    I'm not quite sure about his date of manufacture. That list has always confounded me. There are three things about the description that are not accurate. His is not the first variant. The first variant has the old tootsie roll pump handle. I have several. The serial number usually begins with a "T". I have some that also do not begin with a "T". His does not have the checkered stock and fore end, and I have both styles, smooth like his and checkered.

    Please understand I'm only pointing out things I have encountered over the last 25 years of collecting Benjamin air guns.
    I also have several Benjamins that are pre-serial number which dates them to before 1957.
    The green box of the two I show is pre 1957. They are very hard to find.
    From further research, it appears that all of the earlier models were made in St. Louis, Mo and later models in Racine, Ill. This one might be a transitional model year, since the bolt looks pre-1990 based on this: https://forum.vintageairgunsgallery....ls-1930s-1997/
    In quoting my post, you affirm and agree that you have not been goaded, provoked, emotionally manipulated or otherwise coerced into responding.



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    Quote Originally Posted by Dr. Who View Post
    From further research, it appears that all of the earlier models were made in St. Louis, Mo and later models in Racine, Ill. This one might be a transitional model year, since the bolt looks pre-1990 based on this: https://forum.vintageairgunsgallery....ls-1930s-1997/
    Once you get involved in this adventure it almost becomes an obsession.
    The move from St Louis to Racine and the models that were affected makes some very rare.
    There are even stories of bin parts from the previous year being used up in the very first new year models.
    Great link. Thanks. It's going to take me a while to look at all the information.
    Red Green
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  10. #16
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    Quote Originally Posted by Dr. Who View Post
    From further research, it appears that all of the earlier models were made in St. Louis, Mo and later models in Racine, Ill. This one might be a transitional model year, since the bolt looks pre-1990 based on this: https://forum.vintageairgunsgallery....ls-1930s-1997/
    This picture of the different bolts from that website is interesting.

    The far right is known as the 2 piece bolt. Those are the oldest and most rare. The piece that screwed in often fell out and was lost.
    Also notice the size of the ball on the end of the bolt got larger in the 347 and 342 models. There was also a model 340 which was a smooth bore. The 342 and 347 had rifling in the barrel.

    The parts next to each bolt are also interesting. The bottom part is a tiny ball bearing and the part above it is a spring. They are fitted into the hole in the bolt on the left of each bolt about halfway up. If you remove the bolt, like I did the first time, and don't catch that ball bearing it goes flying across the room and is very hard to find.
    Last edited by BenjaminO; 09-03-2019 at 04:23 PM.
    Red Green
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    Quote Originally Posted by BenjaminO View Post
    Once you get involved in this adventure it almost becomes an obsession.
    The move from St Louis to Racine and the models that were affected makes some very rare.
    There are even stories of bin parts from the previous year being used up in the very first new year models.
    Great link. Thanks. It's going to take me a while to look at all the information.
    It also seems to me that the trigger guard is a little bit different in the Racine model years than the St. Louis model years, the former being a little bit thicker but not as long?
    In quoting my post, you affirm and agree that you have not been goaded, provoked, emotionally manipulated or otherwise coerced into responding.



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    Quote Originally Posted by BenjaminO View Post
    This picture of the different bolts from that website is interesting.

    The far right is known as the 2 piece bolt. Those are the oldest and most rare. The piece that screwed in often fell out and was lost.
    Also notice the size of the ball on the end of the bolt got larger in the 347 and 342 models. There was also a model 340 which was a smooth bore. The 342 and 347 had rifling in the barrel.

    The parts next to each bolt are also interesting. The bottom part is a tiny ball bearing and the part above it is a spring. They are fitted into the hole in the bolt on the left of each bolt about halfway up. If you remove the bolt, like I did the first time, and don't catch that ball bearing it goes flying across the room and is very hard to find.
    This is the picture that I wanted you to see. The bolt on Retiredsmilin's gun that you can see in his picture, looks like the 82-86 342 (and I assume earlier models).
    In quoting my post, you affirm and agree that you have not been goaded, provoked, emotionally manipulated or otherwise coerced into responding.



    "The difference between what we do and what we are capable of doing would suffice to solve most of the world’s problems.”
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    This picture from the website is also interesting.
    It shows several details of the early Benjamin air guns.


    The safety is called a button safety.
    The bolt is the two piece bolt, notice the straight slot screw head on the bolt handle and also the ball bearing and spring.
    The tootsie roll pump handle used screws. Later models used a pressed roll pin.
    The rear sight is a dovetail mount.
    And the bolt is the pin style which allowed air around it rather than some bolts that are hollowed out and have a hole to pass the air.
    Last edited by BenjaminO; 09-03-2019 at 04:43 PM.
    Red Green
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  17. #20
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    Quote Originally Posted by Dr. Who View Post
    It also seems to me that the trigger guard is a little bit different in the Racine model years than the St. Louis model years, the former being a little bit thicker but not as long?
    There were several subtle changes made along with some obvious ones.
    The trigger guard changed a few times as well as many other parts.
    One thing you can't see in the pictures is the different thickness of the old stocks. They were much thinner on the old models.
    Red Green
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