Help with ID of older Benjamin Rifle

[APETTY]

Customer brought in an older Benjamin rifle that is not holding air and I am having trouble specifically identifying it.  It has the circular St Louis address on the rear of the receiver but there is no model number within that circle.  "BENJAMIN FRANKLIN" is on the left side of the receiver with a serial number of 8707 (no letter) above that.  Doesn't appear to match up with anything in the list posted at the Crosman site or any other information I've found so far.  Otherwise it is the typical pump-up Benjamin rifle.   Will add pics if necessary, posting this from home and the rifle is at the shop.

[bavaria55n]

Some pictures that show detail will help. areas to include, front and rear sights, safety.

What caliber, smooth bore or rifled.

[APETTY]

Thank you for the reply.  Here are some crappy cell phone pics but believe they show adequate detail.  It is .22 caliber with a rifled bore. 

We are a quite competent gunsmithing shop on cartridge firearms but don't normally work on air guns.

[bbv13]

The way the rear sight attaches makes me think it's a vintage Benjamin 342. It's hard to tell from those pictures. It should have 342 on the side of it just forward of the bolt and where pellets are put in the breech. They also made the 340 that shot BB's and the 347 that shoots .177 pellets.

Bryan

[Flint]

yup, looks like a 342. 

it should be stamped like this.  is it not?

[bbv13]

You are going to need a valve tool and a reseal kit unless all it needs is some lubrication? Try oiling the pivot points with non-detergent 30wt motor oil. Also put a little on the back of the piston head to get it into the gun quicker.Two or three drops at each place is enough. Just pumping it will push some of the oil through the gun. It's a good sign if you start feeling a little pressure build. Let it soak in over night and see what you have. If it pumps up shoot it a dozen or so times. Oil it again and let it soak and see if it holds air over night. It should hold air for a year and more if it's working properly or newly resealed. Oiling as described may only be a temporary fix? Resealing them isn't that easy the first time. After learning what's important it's pretty easy. I don't know how much time your willing to put into it. My opinion is that unless you are willing to look at it as a learning experience and a loser money wise you should find someone locally that knows the gun and how to repair or reseal it.

Look at the Support section on the Crosman site. There's a section for Benjamin and Sheridan rifles.

Bryan

[APETTY]

It is in fact a 342 and marked below the bolt.  Some crud had filled the lettering but it cleaned off nicely.  Thanks a bunch, now to get to work on it.