22 caliber, pump pneumatic type with bronze tube & reciever, blued steel bolt & trigger guard, and straight. The butt end markings say 'Benjamin Air Rifle Company, St. From Estate in New England: Vintage & a classic, oldie Benjamin-Franklin Model 312 Air Rifle, still in functional condition, from back in the 1950s/60s era.
I believe it is a Model C with the normal barrel length, not the short version.
I did have to replace the link spring and I’ve worked on other Benjamin and Sheridan guns. Hello, I'm looking for some help in positively identifying and getting a value for a Benjamin Air Rifle that I have. It was overhauled in the 80’s and its been fine since. Now: I have recently discovered from talking to a few people here and there that the only Benjamins that can be steroided are the ones with Sheridan internals, i.e., circa 1977 and forward. Up for your viewing pleasure is a recent purchase of my father-in-law. Answer (1 of 2): I haven’t done it to mine. We were very pleased to get this vintage Model 312. So I am still very happy to have this gun. oldie Benjamin-Franklin Model 312 Air Rifle, still in functional. And it's made with all metal and wood parts, no plastic.īeing made in 1970 means that it's one year younger than me which definitely makes it a vintage piece, since (at least in the airgunning internet community) a vintage airgun is generally defined as being manufactured "Pre-1980." The information below is taken from the catalogue advertising the auction of the Myron Kasok airgun collection, sold by the Rock Island Auction Company December 13-15, 2003.
I think the letter on the serial number looks like a D, but if I am wrong, and it is actually a T, then yes, the serial number would place its date of manufacture as 1970.Īnd you know what? The age doesn't concern me nearly as much as the fact that this baby was made in the USA. Well, according to the Crosman website, 342s began production in 1968, so it is definitely not from the 50s.