Benjamin 312 road trip reward

[threesuns]

Wife wanted to visit our son and daughter in-law. While the girls were shopping my son and I decided to check out the pawn shop across the plaza. Tried hard to down play my interest as I talked them into letting me take it off their hands, for less than dinner out that nite. 600 miles later and the Benjamin is still looking good!

1958 according to serial number. Aperture was missing, so I made one from a brass stove bolt. Pumps and shoots but retains air if pumped more than 4 times. Winter project?

[DIAMOND]

Nice find! Beautiful wood. Are you going to refinish the stock or leave it original?

Our local pawn shops are more interested in selling old items for more than full retail. And one guy told me he doesn't bother with BB guns. 

[threesuns]

Beautiful wood. Are you going to refinish the stock or leave it original?

This Benjamin has aged gracefully. I hope I look as good at 65.

[lonr5667]

 I love the look of these old Benjamin pumpers, yours looks like a good one, nice wood, lots of finish left on the mettal, lots of years left in the old girl. Bout a week ago I found my first air gun in many many years at a LGS that might as well be a pawn shop. Apparently it came in as part of a three gun deal for them and I found it before they could research what they had. Mid 1959 Benjamin 317 that someone had mounted an aluminum plate to the side of the stock with a 3/4" Weaver B4 scope, drilled right into a really nice piece of wood... Have new seals and pump cup coming to refresh the old rifle. Looking forward to spending some "paper time" in the back yard soon.

[threesuns]

Cool. Post pics when you can.

I’m now keeping an eye for a 317 to pair up with the 312.

[lonr5667]

Can't figure out how to insert images.

[threesuns]

you can post pics after 20 posts

[lonr5667]

Well then I guess I should get started with that.

Fed-ex just dropped off a package containing a 1977 Benjamin 137 in relatively good shape with at least 60% of the black finish remaining, pumps and holds air, haven't tested it yet, going to try and clean it first. Where do I find the right oil to use for the pump cup? Just out of curiosity, what is the best type of pellets for vintage air guns?

Also discovered that late night on eBay and a credit card is going to be my down fall, bought a unknown year (at this time) Benjamin 3100 in what looked like 80%+ condition with both the "v" style rear sight and the factory peep sight. Should be here early next week.

[threesuns]

Where do I find the right oil to use for the pump cup? Just out of curiosity, what is the best type of pellets for vintage air guns?

Best price lubricant would be 1qt of non-detergent 30w from your favorite local retailer. Of course there are also higher priced specially blended lubricants for multi-pump airguns that some swear by.

As for pellets - fortunately that will be a trial and error process and will mean spending some quality trigger time with your Benjamins. Enjoy 😃

[SpringerGuy]

I agree with the Ebay comment too.  Ebay allows users to setup searches that are emailed to you if item is listed.   Have found a few prizes on the site so I keep looking.  Bought a mint condition Hyscore 800 single shot for $55.  This is the only Hyscore pistol I have seen without the scrolling banner impressed in the left side of receiver.  It has a problem and pops open when firing. 

Has anybody else had a Hyscore pistol that pops open when fired?  Any suggestions about what will need fitting would be much appreciated.  Paid for it but has not arrived yet so no chance to inspect problem more carefully myself yet.  I am looking forward to Randy 

[oldair]

Sometimes the issue of popping open when fired is as described a while back on American Vintage Airguns Forum:

From AVA – Jon F Sept 2016
The problem with the cylinder not staying closed when fired is a relatively simple problem to correct. The cylinder is not fully latching closed because the cylinder is contacting the handle and preventing the latch from correctly locking up. Under the frame, where the handle screw (part # 747) holds the frame to the handle there is a rubber pad called the frame cushion (part #833). Over the years this cushion becomes compressed and owners tighten the handle screw which eventually draws the frame (and the moveable latch with it) down low enough that the cylinder contacts the top of the handle before the latch can properly engage the cylinder.

The fix for this is to loosen the handle screw and either replace or shim the rubber pad to move the frame up in the handle which will prevent the cylinder from contacting the handle before the latch can fully lock up. I usually just replace with a newly made piece of hard rubber of the correct thickness. (polyethylene or urethane works fine).

You can check this because when the pistol is closed and latched the cylinder should not be touching the top surface of the plastic (Tenite) handle. You should at least be able to pass a piece of card stock between the cylinder and handle.

Don R.