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All Springer/NP/PCP Air Gun Discussion General => Vintage Air Gun Gate => Topic started by: lizzie on September 15, 2011, 09:48:47 PM

Title: "Benjamin Franklin" air gun
Post by: lizzie on September 15, 2011, 09:48:47 PM
Managed to pick one up in my pawn shop wanderings. :D

So far,  I know very little about them, but just couldn't resist the price tag, although it's probably not even worth what I paid. ($40). She's a little (or maybe alot) worn-looking, and I haven't shot her yet- haven't even taken pics, but will do so tomorrow and post them here. I just thought it was a nice novelty to have, and you don't come by them very often from what I understand. :)

(http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc435/lizzylouandmetoo/benjamin312.jpg)
Title: Re: "Benjamin Franklin" air gun
Post by: RedFeather on September 15, 2011, 10:54:40 PM
If it pumps and shoots, you've made a very good buy.  $40 is a parts gun price.  Which model is it?  Rifle?  Should be inscribed on the rear plate of the.....well, it's not a compression tube.  What do they call it?  Action?  Anyway, that's where it is, and on the pistols, too, if I'm not mistaken.

BTW, Liz, I has been deputized for this forum.
Title: Re: "Benjamin Franklin" air gun
Post by: lizzie on September 15, 2011, 10:59:07 PM
Wow- good to hear- both on the gun (rifle) and on the deputization. ;D
I'll take pix and get a better look tomorrow. I'm thinking it had a model number 312 (?)- does that sound right? It's locked up in my car right now, or I'd go look. :D
Title: Re: "Benjamin Franklin" air gun
Post by: althawk on September 16, 2011, 12:48:38 AM
demand pictures!!!
$40 is great, if it shoots
Cause it should cost around $45 to get a reseal kit, once you've pinned down the model #, age (in case its series 1,2,3,4...etc. and they used fancy parts vs cheaper parts).

312 = pre-cursor to the 342, which is the precursor to the 392.
Built 1940-1974.

Fixing a Benji 312
http://www.network54.com/Forum/79537/thread/1277679058/Benjamin+312+Rebuild-+Who--- (http://www.network54.com/Forum/79537/thread/1277679058/Benjamin+312+Rebuild-+Who---)

http://www.network54.com/Forum/79537/thread/1273941892/restoring+a+benjamin+franklin+312 (http://www.network54.com/Forum/79537/thread/1273941892/restoring+a+benjamin+franklin+312)
Title: Re: "Benjamin Franklin" air gun
Post by: mav72 on September 16, 2011, 01:35:52 AM
Shhhh don't call it that... Call it a Benjamin... LOL It's only a play on words because it was made by the Benjamin company... Quotes meaning fake name... Some people get irritable when the guns are called "Benjamin Franklin"s so watch out...  :o haha

Yea, I own one of their pistols (somewhere in a book shelf) but it's only good for a parts gun because whom ever owned the gun before me, tore it up trying to repair it and parts are no longer sold for it.... I think the grips that are on it are rare though..... It came to me free so maybe I'll use it as a paper weight... LOL
Title: Re: "Benjamin Franklin" air gun
Post by: althawk on September 16, 2011, 02:40:47 AM
The newer benjamin pistols (1977-1995) look alot nice then their pre-sheridan pistols.
*waits to be pelted with franklin tomatoes*
Title: Re: "Benjamin Franklin" air gun
Post by: RedFeather on September 16, 2011, 09:51:15 AM
You can't shoot looks.  I've steered clear of the later pistols since the triggers tend to be stiff and they are harder to pump.
Title: Re: "Benjamin Franklin" air gun
Post by: lizzie on September 16, 2011, 12:18:53 PM
Shhhh don't call it that... Call it a Benjamin... LOL It's only a play on words because it was made by the Benjamin company... Quotes meaning fake name... Some people get irritable when the guns are called "Benjamin Franklin"s so watch out...  :o haha



Hah :D I only called it that because it's written on the gun itself. :D
Title: Re: "Benjamin Franklin" air gun
Post by: althawk on September 16, 2011, 02:51:13 PM
after seeing the photo, "... you got this for $40?"  :o :o :o
Even if it somehow doesn't function, that benjamin is in fairly NICE shape, doesn't look like anyone would have much trouble restoring it.  In fact it doesn't look like it needs a restore.
The loss of blue-ing on the assembly doesn't look nice, but its doesn't look too bad.
Are there any corrosion spots that you can see?

The rubber (or whatever it is on this one) seals might need replacing.

There are several options to cover up the assembly; paint, epoxy paint (i think i meant appliance enamel paint), powder coating, re-blueing with brownell's oxpho-blue (or someone else's cold blue-er)... etc. Probably not worth the effort if it doesn't shoot.
So does it pump up, leak, or shoot?

The wood looks great.  In such nice shape i'm tempted to say this is a later model, or someone bought new stocks for it at some point.

http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images?_adv_prop=image&fr=yfp-t-701&va=benjamin+312 (http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images?_adv_prop=image&fr=yfp-t-701&va=benjamin+312)

http://www.gunauction.com/search/displayitem.cfm?itemnum=8679966 (http://www.gunauction.com/search/displayitem.cfm?itemnum=8679966)
Take a look at the one photo from the above link thats considered a parts gun, and you'll see yours is definitely NICER.

even nicer than this one: http://www.gunauction.com/search/displayitem.cfm?itemnum=8680014 (http://www.gunauction.com/search/displayitem.cfm?itemnum=8680014)

You definitely got a good deal. :)

wow, someone paid $41+ for just the this 312 stock: http://www.ebay.com/itm/BENJAMIN-FRANKLIN-AIR-RIFLE-MODEL-312-WOOD-STOCK-/150627153780?pt=Vintage_Hunting (http://www.ebay.com/itm/BENJAMIN-FRANKLIN-AIR-RIFLE-MODEL-312-WOOD-STOCK-/150627153780?pt=Vintage_Hunting)
Title: Re: "Benjamin Franklin" air gun
Post by: SAADE on September 16, 2011, 02:55:39 PM
Shhhh don't call it that... Call it a Benjamin... LOL It's only a play on words because it was made by the Benjamin company... Quotes meaning fake name... Some people get irritable when the guns are called "Benjamin Franklin"s so watch out...  :o haha

Lizzie, as you noted, it is written onto the gun. Benjamin did this for some, short period of time back in the day and even they admit it was a marketing gimic. It is well documented in the Blue Book of Airguns and elsewhere. Anyone who gets "cranky" about the terminology hasn't done their brand history homework.
Title: Re: "Benjamin Franklin" air gun
Post by: lizzie on September 16, 2011, 03:02:51 PM
after seeing the photo, "... you got this for $40?"  :o :o :o
Even if it somehow doesn't function, that benjamin is in fairly NICE shape, doesn't look like anyone would have much trouble restoring it.  In fact it doesn't look like it needs a restore.

Well, I don't know that much about old Benjamins, but the metal is pretty "splotchy" looking. From what I understand, at least a part of it is brass, and this gun has a pretty uneven metal surface. Overall, the wood is in pretty good shape for it's age imo.
Title: Re: "Benjamin Franklin" air gun
Post by: althawk on September 16, 2011, 03:21:30 PM
You got a good bargain. Wish I get lucky tomorrow at the air gun show. Hope to see;
Sheridan Silver streak (eye candy)
Crosman mk I
Crosman 1389/2289
Daisy Targetpro 953 (or 853 if its decent)

Your benji, it may be splotchy, but its not completely faded... that'll happen in further on down the road.

And even if it doesn't work you could part it out and minimize your loss.

In my area, the only used airguns I tend to see at pawn shops, antique stores are scary accidents waiting to happen: barrels held to assembly with electrical tape, poorly soldered together benjamin pistols (and they still want $50-75 for em too *shudder*).  I think I just have bad luck because there are at least 2x guys within 75 miles who fix old sheridans/crosmans/benjamins and advertise regularly/heavily.
Title: Re: "Benjamin Franklin" air gun
Post by: mav72 on September 16, 2011, 03:51:27 PM
I didn't see the pic the last time... Nice little shooter... My Benjamin pistol paper weight has the same style pump arm also, just shorter... LOL
Title: Re: "Benjamin Franklin" air gun
Post by: lizzie on September 16, 2011, 03:53:43 PM


And even if it doesn't work you could part it out and minimize your loss.

In my area, the only used airguns I tend to see at pawn shops, antique stores are scary accidents waiting to happen: barrels held to assembly with electrical tape, poorly soldered together benjamin pistols (and they still want $50-75 for em too *shudder*).  I think I just have bad luck because there are at least 2x guys within 75 miles who fix old sheridans/crosmans/benjamins and advertise regularly/heavily.


Most of what I see in pawn shops around here are Chinese various makes, or newer model Benjamins. What isn't apparent from my posts of my finds is that I may go into 10 or more shops to find one gun that I really want, lol.

As for recouping my losses, since I'm really interested in the collector end of things, I don't really consider it a loss. I love to shoot my old 435, but even if it didin't shoot, and wan'tso enjoyable, I'd still love the gun for the price I paid. :)
Title: Re: "Benjamin Franklin" air gun
Post by: lizzie on September 16, 2011, 03:56:44 PM
I didn't see the pic the last time... Nice little shooter... My Benjamin pistol paper weight has the same style pump arm also, just shorter... LOL

Have you posted a pic of it? If not, I'd love to see it. :)
Title: Re: "Benjamin Franklin" air gun
Post by: mav72 on September 16, 2011, 06:32:40 PM
Hey lizzie... I had a nicer pic but I can't get it off my camera since my laptop died and the camera drivers are on the laptop.. :o So I ended up posting a phone pic...  I hope it's not too bad... It's a Benjamin 137 pistol... It may look to be in OK condition but the main parts are trashed from the brutal repair efforts of the previous owner...
Title: Re: "Benjamin Franklin" air gun
Post by: lizzie on September 16, 2011, 06:37:37 PM
Wow- love it! I've never seen one before. :) I guess I need to start looking for air pistols too, but I'm guessing they are more difficult to find than rifles.
Title: Re: "Benjamin Franklin" air gun
Post by: RedFeather on September 16, 2011, 09:11:16 PM
That looks much better than the one I saw at the last gun show.  About no finish on the wood, brassed out and it cocked like drawing your own tooth.  Only $80, if I remember correctly.  Should your gun leak down, I believe Brian and Associates can reseal it.  They work on the Crosman 100 series, so I'm sure they do BF's, as well.

Regarding the Franklin association, I always felt it was like the Franklin stove, another item which Benjamin Franklin had no direct input to.

Ten pawnshops?  On the one hand, that's good but, on the other, also not the best sign of the economic times.  There are four left in my neck of the woods.  One had a pair of those 130 series BF pistols as shown here, one in each caliber.  Only wanted about $700 for them.  I looked but could not see the Hope Diamond embedded in either gun's grips.  (And, on top of it, the guns were beat.  "Priced at the direction of the owner" who must have been the lunatic store owner.)  They also had a 54 that was overpriced.  Was in there lately and all air guns were gone.  The shop near it has had what looks like a Crosman or other late model springer doing permanent shelf hold-down duty.  The other two shops never seem to get air guns in.  My best luck has been gun shops.  They often don't know what they have.
Title: Re: "Benjamin Franklin" air gun
Post by: lizzie on September 16, 2011, 09:22:18 PM
That looks much better than the one I saw at the last gun show.  About no finish on the wood, brassed out and it cocked like drawing your own tooth.  Only $80, if I remember correctly.  Should your gun leak down, I believe Brian and Associates can reseal it.  They work on the Crosman 100 series, so I'm sure they do BF's, as well.

Regarding the Franklin association, I always felt it was like the Franklin stove, another item which Benjamin Franklin had no direct input to.

Ten pawnshops?  On the one hand, that's good but, on the other, also not the best sign of the economic times.  There are four left in my neck of the woods.
 

To the bolded- keep in mind that my pawn shop area includes the DFW metroplex, and the surrounding areas, lol. Every two weeks, I spend a day out on the towns. :D

Thanks for the info- it seems to be holding pressure well right now- we'll see after some time passes.
Title: Re: "Benjamin Franklin" air gun
Post by: amb5500c on September 16, 2011, 09:40:47 PM
Lizzie, you said that at least part of it is brass. If its brass, it can be polished like I had done to my old model 310 in the picture in the link below.
Richard
 http://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php/topic,15572.0.html (http://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php/topic,15572.0.html)
Title: Re: "Benjamin Franklin" air gun
Post by: amb5500c on September 16, 2011, 09:48:52 PM
As far as the "Benjamin Franklin" reference goes; From what I've read, it was a marketing gimick used by the Benjamin company, when they had heard that kids were calling the guns "Benjamin Franklin" guns. I assume that they thought (for a time) that they would sell more guns by associating their name with that of the statesman.
Richard
Title: Re: "Benjamin Franklin" air gun
Post by: lizzie on September 16, 2011, 09:54:52 PM
Lizzie, you said that at least part of it is brass. If its brass, it can be polished like I had done to my old model 310 in the picture in the link below.
Richard
 http://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php/topic,15572.0.html (http://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php/topic,15572.0.html)

Wow- those are beautiful! ;D

I'm just going by what I've read about the brass. Honestly, my rifle just looks like black with some scattered "silvery" areas right now. Not sure what's going to happen when I clean her up. :D