The Only Pumper in My Collection - Smith & Wesson Model 77A Made in the USA
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The Only Pumper in My Collection - Smith & Wesson Model 77A Made in the USA
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Topic: The Only Pumper in My Collection - Smith & Wesson Model 77A Made in the USA (Read 453 times))
c801tfd
Sharp Shooter
Posts: 644
yes
Real Name: Elroy
The Only Pumper in My Collection - Smith & Wesson Model 77A Made in the USA
«
on:
March 09, 2021, 03:19:15 AM »
A post by another member in the vintage airgun gate prompted me to pull out my S&W Model 77A and look at the SN. Since I had it out I oiled the felt, took it outside and ran about 20 pellets through it only using 16 pumps (20 is maximum per manual). Hold air, no leaks, fun and accurate. I also like that there is no recoil and that it is a .22 caliber gun.
Based upon a very hypothetical theory that I have read about the leading alpha character indicates decade of manufacture and last number in serial number is the year of that decade, if this is indeed true my rifle was manufactured in 1975 which puts it in the time period of the years dovetail scope rails were added to the action (1973-1978/9).
Again if this hypothetical theory holds true for dating the S&W Model 77A early models would possibly have SN something like this G0XXXX1 (1971), G0XXXX2 (1972) if the hypothetical theory is true these first two years would not have dovetails on the actions. The first known mention of the Model 77A having dovetails for scopes was in 1973 and included them until the end of production in 1978/9. My rifles SN if this dating theory is correct is a 1975 model and it does have the dovetails.
It may be a pure coincidence about the dating theory and to prove out the theory will require a few hundred examples; and that by itself may be a fun project to do in the future. Unfortunately these rifles seldom come up so it could take some time.
I have also been told that the Smith & Wesson Air Gun Division moved from Tampa, Florida in 1973 to Springfield, Massachusetts; and that some early Model 77A’s and even some late production rifles could have been marked with a Florida location. However, I have not seen any such markings on a Model 77A rifle, all the ones I have seen have the Springfield, MA markings.
In 1978 Bangor moved the Air Gun Division back to Florida and the Model 77A was dropped at some point in 1978 or 1979. In 1980 Bangor sold the Smith & Wesson air rifle division to Daisy and only the pistols lived on in Daisy production.
Others may know other details that can only add to the history of the rare piece of Made in In the USA history.
Attached are a few pictures of my S&W Model 77A
«
Last Edit: March 09, 2021, 03:40:03 AM by c801tfd
»
Logged
Montana, USA
.177:
2 Beeman San Rafael FWB 124 Sport Deluxe JNC Stamp (77/78); (80/81);R7 Santa Rosa; HW77 (1984); BSF 55N; BSF 35; BSF S60; Crosman 100 – 1948 x 2; 113 - 50-55; 147 BP - 1968; Diana Model 25A 20's-30’s; EM-GE Krone DRGM 1936; Feinwerkbau Sport; B3-1; Marksman 70; Colt Commander; Weihrauch HW55MM; Winchester XSU 1100
.20:
Beeman R1 Santa Rosa; Sheridan Model C “BS” (52/53); Model C "SS” (53/54)
.22:
Beeman San Rafael FWB 127 Sport; Benjamin 132 1946; 312 - 40's; 312 - 1956; Crosman Model 99 X 2; 101 – 1930-38 Disc Logo; 101 - 1925-29 Straight Logo X 4; 102 - 1929 Checkered Stocks x 3; 114 - 1950-55; 140 1st var thumb cock; 140 2nd Var; 120; 362; 362 - 100 year Anniversary Edition; 1322 Phase II; Diana 34 T06; 35; Falke Model 70; Hatsan Model 95; Haenel Model III DRP 10/1927; Model I DRP 1-12-1935; Rochester - DT Fletcher; Ruger Impact Max Elite; Sig Sauer ASP20; S & W 77A ; Winchester 427
.25:
Hatsan Model 125 Sniper
19Sheridan57
GTA Senior Contributor
Posts: 3392
yes
Real Name: Steve
Re: The Only Pumper in My Collection - Smith & Wesson Model 77A Made in the USA
«
Reply #1 on:
March 09, 2021, 06:14:06 AM »
I have one that is near mint ! Great shooting rifle but I have never even checked the date of production.
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Florida
Glasstomb
Marksman
Posts: 366
yes
Real Name: Quasar
Re: The Only Pumper in My Collection - Smith & Wesson Model 77A Made in the USA
«
Reply #2 on:
March 09, 2021, 07:54:54 PM »
Elroy -
Just posted on the vintage thread
https://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php?topic=184922.0
The serial number of my 77a starts w G and ends with 9. If production did indeed go through 1978/9 then it kinda reinforces your theory.
Logged
USA New England
c801tfd
Sharp Shooter
Posts: 644
yes
Real Name: Elroy
Re: The Only Pumper in My Collection - Smith & Wesson Model 77A Made in the USA
«
Reply #3 on:
March 10, 2021, 12:25:22 AM »
Glasstomb,
While some may subscribe to definitive drop dead year of 1978, I would imagine that decision did not officially end what very well could have been the beginning production of 1979 production run. This is the same consideration I give to the initial production run of 1971, from a marketing standpoint they may have actually started producing the 1971 production in mid to late 1970 with both working and non-functioning demo models for sales and promotion purposes to major retailers of the time. Also the buyout to Daisy was official in 1980 and the rifles 77A (Air) and 80G (G=CO2) were not continued in the Daisy line up but the base bloodline continues so they say in their powerline offerings and the S&W air pistols known as the 78G (G=CO2) & 78G (G=CO2) continued on under Daisy branding.
Two things I have not seen with these models yet are anything with a 1970 date stamp and if one existed it would not have dovetails for a scope; and I have only heard about 77A models bearing a Florida location but have never seen one not even a picture of one.
The concept of early and late production is a common practice used to assure supply meets demand (COVID-19 really fouled this up for the most part last year). However, during a normal year industries ranging from auto makers appliance production; airguns and sporting equipment all do this to some extent as an example in July of 2020 I purchased a new for 2021 Louisville Slugger Meta Baseball Bat for my son to finish out the American Legion Baseball season.
To sum it up you may very well have a 1979 model that was manufactured in 1978 possibly the result of a mutually agreed upon decision by both S&W and Daisy to halt production at some point in 1978 knowing from that point forward Daisy had no interest in the S&W Rifles as they moved forward with the buyout.
«
Last Edit: March 10, 2021, 12:30:05 AM by c801tfd
»
Logged
Montana, USA
.177:
2 Beeman San Rafael FWB 124 Sport Deluxe JNC Stamp (77/78); (80/81);R7 Santa Rosa; HW77 (1984); BSF 55N; BSF 35; BSF S60; Crosman 100 – 1948 x 2; 113 - 50-55; 147 BP - 1968; Diana Model 25A 20's-30’s; EM-GE Krone DRGM 1936; Feinwerkbau Sport; B3-1; Marksman 70; Colt Commander; Weihrauch HW55MM; Winchester XSU 1100
.20:
Beeman R1 Santa Rosa; Sheridan Model C “BS” (52/53); Model C "SS” (53/54)
.22:
Beeman San Rafael FWB 127 Sport; Benjamin 132 1946; 312 - 40's; 312 - 1956; Crosman Model 99 X 2; 101 – 1930-38 Disc Logo; 101 - 1925-29 Straight Logo X 4; 102 - 1929 Checkered Stocks x 3; 114 - 1950-55; 140 1st var thumb cock; 140 2nd Var; 120; 362; 362 - 100 year Anniversary Edition; 1322 Phase II; Diana 34 T06; 35; Falke Model 70; Hatsan Model 95; Haenel Model III DRP 10/1927; Model I DRP 1-12-1935; Rochester - DT Fletcher; Ruger Impact Max Elite; Sig Sauer ASP20; S & W 77A ; Winchester 427
.25:
Hatsan Model 125 Sniper
Glasstomb
Marksman
Posts: 366
yes
Real Name: Quasar
Re: The Only Pumper in My Collection - Smith & Wesson Model 77A Made in the USA
«
Reply #4 on:
March 10, 2021, 08:57:04 AM »
Elroy -
Th actual serial number of my 77a is 3700 higher than yours. Maybe it's the last one made? Very cool that it could be.
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USA New England
longhunter
what if we removed all the warning labels, and let nature take it's course?
GTA Senior Contributor
Posts: 5437
yes
Real Name: Scott Decker
Re: The Only Pumper in My Collection - Smith & Wesson Model 77A Made in the USA
«
Reply #5 on:
March 10, 2021, 11:09:10 AM »
Moving to the Vintage Gate.
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casco, wi. USA
Seneca Aspen
Xisico Sentry
crosman model 1 first varient
Beeman P17
Crosman 140
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c801tfd
Sharp Shooter
Posts: 644
yes
Real Name: Elroy
Re: The Only Pumper in My Collection - Smith & Wesson Model 77A Made in the USA
«
Reply #6 on:
March 10, 2021, 12:29:04 PM »
One other picture to share after remembering where I put it (Fire Proof Lock Box).
While the S&W Model 77A is hard to find and getting harder, just try finding a copy of the Instruction Manual which has the all important diagram and parts list.
This rifle requires it to be cocked before pumping, if you don’t do this you will pump forever and not charge the gun. As a side note cocking the gun sets the safety as well.
Many people often wonder about the number of pumps, starting on page 3 and ending on page 4 the manual states the following: “A minimum of 3 pumps are required for sufficient energy to expel the pellet. Additional pumps may be used when shooting indoors. Never pump your rifle more than 20 times.”
Another question is does it get harder to pump with each stroke? No it does not, but will give you a workout if you always go to 20. As noted above if you fail to cock it before pumping will be rewarded with a workout as well.
Logged
Montana, USA
.177:
2 Beeman San Rafael FWB 124 Sport Deluxe JNC Stamp (77/78); (80/81);R7 Santa Rosa; HW77 (1984); BSF 55N; BSF 35; BSF S60; Crosman 100 – 1948 x 2; 113 - 50-55; 147 BP - 1968; Diana Model 25A 20's-30’s; EM-GE Krone DRGM 1936; Feinwerkbau Sport; B3-1; Marksman 70; Colt Commander; Weihrauch HW55MM; Winchester XSU 1100
.20:
Beeman R1 Santa Rosa; Sheridan Model C “BS” (52/53); Model C "SS” (53/54)
.22:
Beeman San Rafael FWB 127 Sport; Benjamin 132 1946; 312 - 40's; 312 - 1956; Crosman Model 99 X 2; 101 – 1930-38 Disc Logo; 101 - 1925-29 Straight Logo X 4; 102 - 1929 Checkered Stocks x 3; 114 - 1950-55; 140 1st var thumb cock; 140 2nd Var; 120; 362; 362 - 100 year Anniversary Edition; 1322 Phase II; Diana 34 T06; 35; Falke Model 70; Hatsan Model 95; Haenel Model III DRP 10/1927; Model I DRP 1-12-1935; Rochester - DT Fletcher; Ruger Impact Max Elite; Sig Sauer ASP20; S & W 77A ; Winchester 427
.25:
Hatsan Model 125 Sniper
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The Only Pumper in My Collection - Smith & Wesson Model 77A Made in the USA