Author Topic: Help on early model thumb safety sheridan Updated (Read 6091 times))

nc shooter · « **on:** February 15, 2012, 07:04:10 PM »

I was very fortunate to receive this rifle from a coworker, and I dont know a lot about it. It doesn't hold air, but everything else seems to work fine. How much is it worth? What can be done to restore it?

Tom @ Buzzard Bluff · « **Reply #1 on:** February 16, 2012, 12:48:50 AM »

Ivan,
Face East and count your lucky star! You have been blessed with a very choice and desirable early rifle judging by the shape of the butt-stock which suggests that it is a pre-65 gun. That was the most graceful stock ever used on the C series rifles. It is unfortunate that others prior to it coming into your possession have failed to respect it and allowed the cosmetics of the wood to deteriorate so badly. But take hope! Underneath that sad exterior beats a heart of American Black Walnut! TLC and elbow grease can prevail!

First choice for a rebuild would be the man who wrote the book on Sheridans:
<http://www.ujays.net/sheridan.html>
or
<http://www.abairgun.com/>

Value: not much considering current condition.
Just get it shooting, refinish the stock and enjoy "The Cadillac of American Airguns"! Tom

nc shooter · « **Reply #2 on:** March 10, 2012, 12:09:14 AM »

Well well well, what a rifle!!!

So I completely took it apart and thoroughly cleaned everything. Put it back together with the reseal kit from PA. It wasn't holding air. Called Ron at Bryan and Assoc. and he was as helpful as anyone could be. Explained the details of where the air leaked and how to repair. Wow! Got the leak fixed in the valve and now there was a leak in the new pump cup from PA. It wasn't the right one for this rifle. Called Ron, ordered the correct pump cup and holder, received it today, installed it first thing after work, and walla!!! The rifle pumps, holds air, and shoots sooo strong!! And no hold sensitivity like my breakbarrels!!! Can do 1/2" groups at 10yds and thats without a rear sight!!! What a pleasure to shoot! No wonder it's called the Cadillac of air rifles:)

badredbird · « **Reply #3 on:** March 10, 2012, 08:35:55 AM »

i have a 77 just got and resealed they are good shooters for sure

Tom @ Buzzard Bluff · « **Reply #4 on:** March 10, 2012, 11:48:12 AM »

Quote from: nc shooter on March 10, 2012, 12:09:14 AM

Well well well, what a rifle!!!----The rifle pumps, holds air, and shoots sooo strong!! And no hold sensitivity like my breakbarrels!!! Can do 1/2" groups at 10yds and thats without a rear sight!!! What a pleasure to shoot! No wonder it's called the Cadillac of air rifles:)

Congratulations! You have a true classic and join a horde of the cognoscenti who regard the early hold-down safety model Cs with the highest esteem. As far as power in concerned here's a paragraph from a post I made on the YF this morning:
**************************************************************
FWIW, my S&W M77A, 1400s, Sheridan Cs and Benji 312 put out almost identical power to my RWS/Diana M-34 in .22---and do it accurately. Not bad for the 'antiques' that the Roberts--Law & Beeman--panned as weak, inconsistent and inaccurate!

nc shooter · « **Reply #5 on:** March 11, 2012, 01:12:08 AM »

Your right about that, Tom!

airgunandy · « **Reply #6 on:** March 12, 2012, 10:59:24 PM »

Nice save. The old Dans are awesome.
I have a 1965 Blue Streak that I had to reseal before I could shoot it. The wood needed cleaned and refinished too. I gave $75 for it. Now it shoots like a dream!

Yours looks a lot older than mine. Mine is a rocker safety with a lower comb. I think the rocker safety came out in '64 and the high comb stock is from the late 50's.

nc shooter · « **Reply #7 on:** March 13, 2012, 06:55:39 PM »

Yeah these are some nice rifles! I'll need to refinish the stock for sure

VPilot · « **Reply #8 on:** June 08, 2012, 12:40:47 PM »

Quote from: nc shooter on March 13, 2012, 06:55:39 PM

Yeah these are some nice rifles! I'll need to refinish the stock for sure

You know, some well-used rifles have a certain charm about them as-is, and this IMO is one of them. I know refinishing will not do any real harm to its value, nor will it increase it much but that's not the point. This thing just as the "it" factor going for it the way it sits. I can't explain it, but I'd hesitate to refinish it if it were me. Call me nuts.

Tim
VPilot

Tom @ Buzzard Bluff · « **Reply #9 on:** June 08, 2012, 06:57:01 PM »

"You know, some well-used rifles have a certain charm about them as-is, and this IMO is one of them."
*************************************************************
A 'patina of honorable service'?

badredbird · « **Reply #10 on:** June 08, 2012, 07:17:25 PM »

i can see either way .restoring it or keeping as a piece of original history, they are beautifull in their own riight, and nice shooting too, i picked up a 1958 blue streak today thats in 95 percent condition , from a fellar who is kind of sick and has to give up his collection , made me reflect that will be me one day , told me i dont want to see these in a yard sale when im gone , will post a pic , thzt is a very sweet rifle no matter what you decide its still a good ole dan

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Help on early model thumb safety sheridan Updated