Good Bones - An Early Crosman 102 Back Up and Running

[c801tfd]

I found this 102 on eBay and after looking at it for a month or so I decided why not give it a try.

I am skeptical of buying project guns from eBay as they usually have more issues than documented or photoed. This one was no exception as it had a bad receiver that was cracked from one side of the feed mechanism through the barrel set screw which caused the air to blow out of the crack thus rendering it useless, good thing I had another period correct receiver or this 102 would have been a pile of parts.

This old 102’s Walnut stock had some nice figure, the compression tube had the air hole on the left side and had the all brass valve system inside. It also has the checkered forearm and stock, they are worn and almost flat but still there. I also switched out the brass feed mechanism with a metal one and a period correct bolt as well.

I did not do a complete reseal but I did put a new seal between the valve body and compression chamber. It holds air for days, so I am happy with the seals in this one. One other thing I changed on this one was the brass barrel, I swapped it out with a steel barrel from straight logo 101 from about the same period.

This 102 shoots surprisingly well and test shooting reflected an average of 615 fps with 14.3 gr Crosman Premier Domed pellets. The feed mechanism works flawlessly and like my other 102 this is the only pellet that works with the feed system.

I will be testing for accuracy soon and may also use it for 1 of my prove it guns.

[Hoosier Daddy]

Nice rescue Elroy!
 What coating did you use on the metal?
She's a beauty!

[c801tfd]

It is a high temperature, chemical resistant black engine block paint/coating sold by NAPA parts store. I will get a picture of it tonight when I get home.

[c801tfd]

Before pictures of the 102

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One more before picture and results pictures

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More results pictures

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Last results pictures

[Pellet Fun]

Great save Elroy. Thanks for sharing. That busted receiver is interesting. I’d like to see some section cuts.

[c801tfd]

Gary,

Good to hear from you, I was thinking the same thing when it came to finding someone to do a cross section on it along with compression tube and chamber.

[DWTrull]

What is the serial number stamped on the front of the receiver where the forearm goes against the tube. Looks like a first year 102.

[Mzq284]

Nice job! I have a later one i need to blue and put back together.  Theyre great rifles, glad you could save it

[c801tfd]

TWTrull (Dave)

The numbers for the bad receiver are: Top numbers: Z1 (I assume these belong to a repair person) Bottom numbers: 6502

The numbers on the good receiver are: 3662

[c801tfd]

Peter,

Thank you for the kind words, one of my favorite things to do is bring things back to operating condition.

[DWTrull]

Elroy
thanks for the pics
I'm trying to date your 102 so I need to know original configuration.
1. do either receiver have the thumbscrew hole? It appears neither have it.
2. does the breech cover that has the hollow rivet go to which receiver?
 

[c801tfd]

Dave,

Thank you for the help on dating.

There are no thumb screw holes on either receiver.

All parts were a direct swap from  broken receiver with the exception of bolt which came with the receiver I used for repair it has a long probe and is not hollow. The other one has a thicker probe nose and is hollow for air flow. I will take pictures tonight.

[c801tfd]

Dave,

Here are the bolt pictures.

The flow through bolt came with the broken Reciever. I am using the long probe bolt at this time.

[c801tfd]

Dave,

Here another 102 I inherited from one of my Great Uncles. It only has checkering on the butt, same design bolt as I used in the one I worked on, and it has the thumb screw on the receiver. All I was told by my mother when she gave it to me was he bought it at the age of 11 in 1929 and that it went to war with him (pacific theatre) he did scratch into the bottom of the comp tube the battles he participle in Coral Sea, Midway & Santa Cruz along with ship board liberty/small island in Leyte Gulf area.