GTA

Airguns by Make and Model => Vintage Air Gun Gate => Topic started by: guitarplaya39 on May 14, 2025, 07:00:47 PM

Title: Ted Williams Sears Roebuck Model 799
Post by: guitarplaya39 on May 14, 2025, 07:00:47 PM
Picked up this beauty for $10 the other day. From what I understand, it's from the 70s and is the predecessor to the 880(?). It's the smoothbore version, and of course she doesn't hold any air.
My original thought was to gut my modern 880 to get this one working, but apparently the parts are not compatible.
So... what do I do with it next? Anyone have suggestions for ring/seal sources? I'm still new to the airgun addiction and haven't rebuilt a pumper yet.

Title: Re: Ted Williams Sears Roebuck Model 799
Post by: bantam5s on May 14, 2025, 10:38:37 PM
A couple members have done modifications to get vintage 880's working with modern internals, so that may be the route to go but you'll have to look into it further.
I do not know if it can always be done or not or how it's done, I just know that the possibility exists.

Btw you got a screaming deal on this gun for $10, these guns seem fairly scarce and this one looks to be in pretty darn good condition on the outside.
Title: Re: Ted Williams Sears Roebuck Model 799
Post by: Back_Roads on May 15, 2025, 08:13:23 AM
 Check in with Ronno6 he may have what is needed :)
Title: Re: Ted Williams Sears Roebuck Model 799
Post by: Ronno6 on May 15, 2025, 08:21:28 AM
It can, and I do............
Title: Re: Ted Williams Sears Roebuck Model 799
Post by: guitarplaya39 on May 15, 2025, 10:27:56 AM
It can, and I do............
Awesome!
I'm going to do a tear down soon to see what's worn/damaged and I will post an update.
Title: Re: Ted Williams Sears Roebuck Model 799
Post by: guitarplaya39 on May 16, 2025, 08:42:58 AM
Haven't had a chance to tear into it just yet, but you can clearly hear the air escaping from around the front of the receiver.
Another question though... is it possible to install a rifled barrel? Or would I be breaking 'vintage airgun law' by doing that?
Title: Re: Ted Williams Sears Roebuck Model 799
Post by: Ronno6 on May 16, 2025, 08:49:02 AM
If the air leak is out the barrel when the bolt is closed, you have a bad exhaust valge.
If it leaks in other areas, bad piston seal and chamber seals are the culprits....

If you can find a rifled barrel, swapping it out should not affect the value of the rifle IMO
Title: Re: Ted Williams Sears Roebuck Model 799
Post by: guitarplaya39 on May 16, 2025, 09:47:25 AM
If the air leak is out the barrel when the bolt is closed, you have a bad exhaust valge.
If it leaks in other areas, bad piston seal and chamber seals are the culprits....

If you can find a rifled barrel, swapping it out should not affect the value of the rifle IMO

Will a rifled bbl from a modern 880 fit?
Title: Re: Ted Williams Sears Roebuck Model 799
Post by: Ronno6 on May 16, 2025, 09:55:39 AM
If the air leak is out the barrel when the bolt is closed, you have a bad exhaust valge.
If it leaks in other areas, bad piston seal and chamber seals are the culprits....

If you can find a rifled barrel, swapping it out should not affect the value of the rifle IMO

Will a rifled bbl from a modern 880 fit?

Nope....