Blue Streak - She's 41 and almost a virgin!

[kudzu]

This is one mine.

Looks like yours (except for the scope).
As stated above the holes on the right side of the receiver are for the Williams Peep.
The plate on the left is removed when you want to remove the bolt for proper cleaning of the barrel.
Under the plate is a allen screw that serves to cock the hammer when you operate the bolt.
Remove that screw and you can remove the bolt.
Simple.

Thank you, Frank! More good info.

[bantam5s]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but weren't the Racine made c9's only made during the transitional years ?
Either way 1990 is the earliest year for your gun and since late 80's is what you remember, that's likely it.

Here's a thought, if it's basically nib do you have the original paperwork ?
If so there may be a print date on the manual and maybe even a date on a warranty card.

[bantam5s]

What we need to find out is when crosman went to the cast fire control group.
I would think that the Steel guards/triggers would've been transitional guns seeing as the 1400...ect had been using cast fire control groups for a long time, and wouldn't it be easier for them to use the same cast fcg's to save cost and solidify them as crosman guns ?

We also need to find out how long crosman utilized the Racine factory as it would stand to reason that it was why they used Steel trigger groups.

( what exactly are the full markings on your gun ? )

We're the transitional guns made under crosman ownership or were they a benjamin decision ?
( I know very little about the 90's guns as my streak is a '79 and I have had little interest in the crosman ones, but now I'm getting really interested )

[Rob112o]

To throw a bigger curveball into the mix. My 95 397P has the steel trigger, but totally different then the Dan, Benji, and 39x:

[bantam5s]

To throw a bigger curveball into the mix. My 95 397P has the steel trigger, but totally different then the Dan, Benji, and 39x:

so is it a Bloomfield or Racine gun ?

[Rob112o]

Bloomfield.

[bantam5s]

Bloomfield.

Just another piece to the puzzle.
BTW that mechanism started with the transitional guns, I just don't know why it took so long for them to realize that their existing ( it looks like the exact same ones to me ) cast assembly was more cost effective.

[anuthabubba]

This is one mine.

Looks like yours (except for the scope).

And the trigger guard/safety. This one is the cast TG that came along sometime after '93, 'to ~97.

As stated above the holes on the right side of the receiver are for the Williams Peep.
The plate on the left is removed when you want to remove the bolt for proper cleaning of the barrel.
Under the plate is a allen screw that serves to cock the hammer when you operate the bolt.
Remove that screw and you can remove the bolt.
Simple.

Thank you, Frank! More good info.

[kudzu]

( what exactly are the full markings on your gun ? )

On the right side of receiver:

- SERIDAN PRODUCTS -
RACINE WI -- 53403 -- U.S.A.


On the left side (from muzzle to receiver):

READ MANUAL BEFORE USING
AVAILABLE FREE FROM MFG.

116327

- C9 SERIES - 5.0MM - (.20 CAL.)
PELLETS ONLY


On the bottom of the piston tube:

AIR HOLE   DO NOT OIL

[bbv13]

From what I hear and have read Benjamin really had it together at the Racine factory and produced what's considered by many to be the best pump air rifles ever made. It's also harder to find Sheridan/Benjamin Racine made guns. That's a nice transitional Sheridan and you should hold onto it. Invite your son over to shoot some he may change his mind and want it someday?

Bryan

[kudzu]

Thanks, Bryan!

I will hang on to this one, but am tempted to pick up a late sixties or early seventies Blue Streak to keep it company. If I did that, I would probably send the older gun out to Mac1 for some TLC and the steroid treatment.

[bantam5s]

From what I hear and have read Benjamin really had it together at the Racine factory and produced what's considered by many to be the best pump air rifles ever made. It's also harder to find Sheridan or Benjamin Racine made guns. That's a nice transitional Sheridan and you should hold onto it. Invite your son over to shoot some he may change his mind and want it someday?

Bryan

Racine Benjamin's are a little harder to find, but not so much Sheridan's because they were always made in Racine wis ( if it wasn't made in Racine, then it's just a .20cal crosman )

[Methuselah]

Funny question.  I keep seeing posts on them claiming used at 80 to $100, and shooting accurately at that.  Then mostly showing up for sale for $160 (in rough condition) to $350.  Presumably most are spray painted, split stocks reglued, etc.  I'd give my left nut for a half decent condition Dan anywhere near 100, but expect to die long before that happens 

I'd say take no less than $500 for it and expect to see it for auction the next day at $1000 captioned belonged to Daniel Boone, or some such...

My $.02, shoot it - if you have $10,000 to spend on just the finder's fee you probably won't find a better one.

[bbv13]

From what I hear and have read Benjamin really had it together at the Racine factory and produced what's considered by many to be the best pump air rifles ever made. It's also harder to find Sheridan or Benjamin Racine made guns. That's a nice transitional Sheridan and you should hold onto it. Invite your son over to shoot some he may change his mind and want it someday?

Bryan

Racine Benjamin's are a little harder to find, but not so much Sheridan's because they were always made in Racine wis ( if it wasn't made in Racine, then it's just a .20cal crosman )

Your right, the transitional part and being made before Crosman screwed them up is what makes it harder to find. It was built in the time that the highly sought after Racine 392 were made. I have a Racine 397 and it's better. I don't know how to tell you but you know it when you pick it up and shoot it.

Bryan

[bbv13]

Thanks, Bryan!

I will hang on to this one, but am tempted to pick up a late sixties or early seventies Blue Streak to keep it company. If I did that, I would probably send the older gun out to Mac1 for some TLC and the steroid treatment.

You will not regret that!

Bryan

[20cal]

The last of the Sheridan designed rifles was the C-Series, which was replaced by the C9-Series in 1991. The C9 is a Benjamin design. The early ones, like yours, are of better quality than the later ones and are more popular with collectors. The C9 began with a new range of serial numbers beginning around 10xxxx judging from recent data. Serial numbers of C9-Series made by Crosman were of a different format. The box you have pictured is the same box which was used with the last of the C-Series rifles. Later C9 boxes are different. The butt plate on your rifle will have the SHERIDAN logo. Later rifles made by Crosman do not. Also, later models with the removable cartridge valve and Crosman style trigger assembly are designated C9A-Series.

[kudzu]

The last of the Sheridan designed rifles was the C-Series, which was replaced by the C9-Series in 1991. The C9 is a Benjamin design. The early ones, like yours, are of better quality than the later ones and are more popular with collectors. The C9 began with a new range of serial numbers beginning around 10xxxx judging from recent data. Serial numbers of C9-Series made by Crosman were of a different format. The box you have pictured is the same box which was used with the last of the C-Series rifles. Later C9 boxes are different. The butt plate on your rifle will have the SHERIDAN logo. Later rifles made by Crosman do not. Also, later models with the soldered in valve and Crosman style trigger assembly are designated C9A-Series.

Thank you 20cal! I appreciate every bit of additional info I am given.

Just to be clear, C9 Series have the soldered in valve like the C9A Series, right?

[20cal]

You're welcome Ernie.

Oops; correction, the later C9A-Series have the removable cartridge valve. The C9 will have the soldered in valve like the previous C-Series.

[kudzu]

Oops; correction, the later C9A-Series have the removable cartridge valve. The C9 will have the soldered in valve like the previous C-Series.

Thanks, again! I am getting an education on old Sheridans. It was disappointing when I learned I did not have what I thought I had, but it has been interesting, anyway. And, since the price of a nice C Series Blue Streak is not prohibitive, what I thought I had is not out of reach.

[bantam5s]

See I wasn't really sure weather or not any Racine guns were made under crosman ownership, but I guess they weren't.
I knew what the transitional guns look like, but not exactly what it meant.