GTA

All Springer/NP/PCP Air Gun Discussion General => Vintage Air Gun Gate => Topic started by: MadScott on May 15, 2018, 11:26:20 PM

Title: What is this old thing?
Post by: MadScott on May 15, 2018, 11:26:20 PM
Hey folks!

This is my first post here and I thought I’d start with a “what is this?” question. Many years ago I bought an old car that came with a few airguns in the trunk - this is one of them. I don’t see a maker’s name anywhere on it.

Might any of you know what it is, and about when it was made?

Thanks!
Title: Re: What is this old thing?
Post by: Hare splittin on May 15, 2018, 11:33:34 PM
Looks like an Apache Fireball- Texan. They were made for only 2 Years, 1948-49.

https://www.pyramydair.com/blog/2017/02/apache-fire-ball-texan-part-1/ (https://www.pyramydair.com/blog/2017/02/apache-fire-ball-texan-part-1/)
Title: Re: What is this old thing?
Post by: MadScott on May 15, 2018, 11:56:50 PM
Looks like an Apache Fireball- Texan. They were made for only 2 Years, 1948-49.

Wow - thanks!
I just looked up Apache Fireball and it seems that these with plastic stocks were only made in ‘47. After that stocks were walnut. Interesting; I had no idea it was that old; was thinking late ‘50s or ‘60s. This one isn’t holding air and it’s going to need some “restoring”. Are there folks around who may want to repair and restore something like this?

There were several others in that old car trunk - mostly a bit rusty/crusty looking, but I thought they were cool so held onto ‘em for about 20 years now. There’s an all brass Benjamin pump, a Sheridan Blue Streak pump, some Japanese (kingfisher?) CO2, a Crossman with a push in to cock barrel, and a couple others I don’t remember. Time to unload the ones that don’t work, I think.
Title: Re: What is this old thing?
Post by: Rob112o on May 16, 2018, 02:24:10 AM
I've worked on many rifles from Sheridan, Benjamins, Crosmans, Challenge, and so on, but not a Apache. Where about are you in Cali? As you can see I'm in Alameda in the Bay Area. I'd be interested in working on whatever you got.
Title: Re: What is this old thing?
Post by: avator on May 16, 2018, 07:27:32 AM
Nice find.... I, for one, would like to see pictures of the other guns as well.
Title: Re: What is this old thing?
Post by: MadScott on May 16, 2018, 12:41:17 PM
Nice find.... I, for one, would like to see pictures of the other guns as well.

Thanks, guys. I’ll post pics of the others soon. Need to dig ‘em all out from my crawl space.
Title: Re: What is this old thing?
Post by: Wayne52 on May 16, 2018, 08:57:58 PM
That's really a neat old gun for sure, I'd also like seeing the other ones as well ;D
Title: Re: What is this old thing?
Post by: unionrdr on May 16, 2018, 11:35:08 PM
I concur. I too would love to see those vintage air rifles of yours! Here's my vintage Crosman's so far. But nothing like yours...
(https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/640x480q90/924/6QXE7I.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/po6QXE7Ij)
(https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/640x480q90/924/pQyFHG.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/popQyFHGj)
Title: Re: What is this old thing?
Post by: Hare splittin on May 16, 2018, 11:55:07 PM
There were several others in that old car trunk - mostly a bit rusty/crusty looking, but I thought they were cool so held onto ‘em for about 20 years now. There’s an all brass Benjamin pump, a Sheridan Blue Streak pump, some Japanese (kingfisher?) CO2, a Crossman with a push in to cock barrel, and a couple others I don’t remember. Time to unload the ones that don’t work, I think.

Not familiar with the Japanese make, but the others you listed are classics and would not be too hard to revive. Plenty of people here that can help.

Is the slide barrel Crosman a V-350? an M-1? Just curious.

----------------------------

Leonard, nice batch of 760's.


Title: Re: What is this old thing?
Post by: strever on May 17, 2018, 03:12:42 AM
if your Apachi needs a part just holler
when i rebuilt my walnut Apachi i had a box of parts left over from building 1 good one from 2 guns
here is a break down
Title: Re: What is this old thing?
Post by: MadScott on May 17, 2018, 02:08:12 PM
Just dug ‘em out of the crawlspace for some pictures. They looked like this when I got them years ago. All had been wrapped up in blankets and shoved into an old car trunk (that leaked).
Anything you-all can tell me about them would be welcome. Some are in fair sahape and work, some are obviously crusty and not working. I’ll probably keep a couple and find new homes for others. ^_^


Title: Re: What is this old thing?
Post by: MadScott on May 17, 2018, 02:13:44 PM
More pics -

King Fisher, a couple Crossman, a couple Sherridan, a Benjamin and a couple Slavia. Several calibers -

Title: Re: What is this old thing?
Post by: Wayne52 on May 17, 2018, 03:28:13 PM
Wow that's a heck of a collection you've got there !!!
Title: Re: What is this old thing?
Post by: MadScott on May 17, 2018, 03:34:10 PM
Wow that's a heck of a collection you've got there !!!

Thanks. I wish they were all in working shape, but they’re still cool to look at. Not sure yet which ones I’ll keep. There was actually another Sherridan Blue Streak pump in that lot that I didn’t picture with them. It’s in OK cosmetic shape and works; been using it on occasion over the past 20 years.
Title: Re: What is this old thing?
Post by: Matchstickshooter on May 17, 2018, 04:23:30 PM
you hit the MOTHERLODE!

a tinker's dream.
Title: Re: What is this old thing?
Post by: Mackado on May 18, 2018, 02:52:38 AM
That's quite a find in that trunk! who ever had them sure loved airgunning..

I believe that's a first variant Crosman 147 pumper, not many pop up for sale, the Crosman 180 is also first variant, nice popular co2 rifle, both of these are easy to re-seal and bring back to life...
Title: Re: What is this old thing?
Post by: 19Sheridan57 on May 18, 2018, 08:08:38 AM
WOW! An instant air gun collection. That old Silver Streak look " SAD !"  Has it been cleaned up ?
Title: Re: What is this old thing?
Post by: Back_Roads on May 18, 2018, 08:58:06 AM
 Glad I took my Beeman x2 out of the trunk and actually shot it 6 years ago, otherwise some lucky person at the junk yard would have a sweet shooter now LOL. Nice find !!!
Title: Re: What is this old thing?
Post by: MadScott on May 18, 2018, 02:01:44 PM
Thanks, guys. Most of them are in “as found” shape, but probably even dustier. I did wipe down a couple and tried to make ‘em shoot 20 years ago. Since then, just had ‘em stored under the house. The old guy who’d sold me that car, btw, knew the airguns were in the back - didn’t care. Fewer people were interested in old airguns 20 years ago. Funny thing - I’d sold that car about 5 years ago and since then, the dang things (that car) about doubled in value. Oh well..
Title: Re: What is this old thing?
Post by: avator on May 18, 2018, 05:12:57 PM
Thanks, guys. Most of them are in “as found” shape, but probably even dustier. I did wipe down a couple and tried to make ‘em shoot 20 years ago. Since then, just had ‘em stored under the house. The old guy who’d sold me that car, btw, knew the airguns were in the back - didn’t care. Fewer people were interested in old airguns 20 years ago. Funny thing - I’d sold that car about 5 years ago and since then, the dang things (that car) about doubled in value. Oh well..
Those old guns probably have too.
Title: Re: What is this old thing?
Post by: Privateer on May 18, 2018, 05:15:45 PM
Buy yourself an Urban and then trade one of those Guns for 3 custom made magazines.
 ;)
Title: Re: What is this old thing?
Post by: avator on May 18, 2018, 05:28:22 PM
Smooth !!!
Title: Re: What is this old thing?
Post by: Privateer on May 18, 2018, 05:38:37 PM
(http://www.sherv.net/cm/emoticons/evil/sneaky-smiley-emoticon.gif)
Title: Re: What is this old thing?
Post by: MadScott on May 18, 2018, 08:07:45 PM
Well - decided to start with listing ‘em on that dreaded auction site. The Apache Fireball is up now.
If any of you would like to have at it, please take a look. No reserve -whomever wants it the most, takes it.
I’d just like to lighten the load of stuff I’ve been storing for decades..

I’ll wipe down the others and stick a few more of ‘em up for grabs when I get a chance.

Planning on keeping a few as well, but just ones I want to use. - Hope to ask repair and restoration questions of you all - if you don’t mind.

^_^
Title: Re: What is this old thing?
Post by: Rimrock on May 19, 2018, 02:11:21 AM
A link to the listing?
Title: Re: What is this old thing?
Post by: MadScott on May 19, 2018, 02:17:22 AM
A link to the listing?

Didn’t know if it’s OK to post links here, but it’s item # 163054331240 .
You can just paste that # in the search and it’ll come up.
Title: Re: What is this old thing?
Post by: MadScott on May 19, 2018, 02:53:38 AM
Buy yourself an Urban and then trade one of those Guns for 3 custom made magazines.
 ;)

Guessing an Urban is a Gamo (El Gamo)? Just had to look that one up.
I think I’d be into something more in the Walther/Anschutz/FWB/Weirauch range. I sort of like German target rifles, even though I can’t see too well these days.
Title: Re: What is this old thing?
Post by: TerryM on May 19, 2018, 07:43:01 AM
  That Kingfisher rifle is very interesting.  Appears to be a clone of the Crosman 400 repeater.  I've never seen or heard of one, probably quite rare.  Scope base on the rear barrel, a nice touch.  I see you also have a CO2 Blue Streak, that's a good gun.
Title: Re: What is this old thing?
Post by: MadScott on May 19, 2018, 10:51:49 AM
  That Kingfisher rifle is very interesting.  Appears to be a clone of the Crosman 400 repeater.  I've never seen or heard of one, probably quite rare.  Scope base on the rear barrel, a nice touch.  I see you also have a CO2 Blue Streak, that's a good gun.

The CO2 Blue Streak and Kingfisher are a couple I plan on keeping. Kingfisher is very nicely made and I seem to remember that it was in working shape when I tried it 20 years ago. Blue Streak leaked out CO2 as soon as a cartridge was pierced, but it looks pretty nice.

Are there seal kits available for this Blue Streak? I actually bought the same model brand new around 1976 - foolishly traded it away a couple years later so was happy to see this one in that car trunk!

I think there was mention of the Kingfisher in an old airgun book I had around 1980. Probably a Beeman book. A friend “borrowed” that book back then, so I can’t look it up. I don’t see anything on the internet.

Title: Re: What is this old thing?
Post by: MadScott on May 21, 2018, 01:33:10 PM
Hey folks, I don’t know if anyone here wants it but the buy it now price on that Apache Fireball has been dropped to $255. If that’s still to high for this seemingly rare rifle, tell me what’s fair.. ^_^