Benjamin 132

[Flex]

It's been a while (well quite a while) since I've posted or even did much related to my tiny collection of airguns. Sometimes the pace of everyday life just takes over. Anyway, now that Winter is upon us (here up North anyway) my time that I can devote to things I like to do grows considerably.
Earlier this year, I was given a Benjamin 132 multi-pump air pistol by my F-I-L. It's an early model, I'm guessing mid-50s. (Based mainly on the grips). I've read that the serial number might be found on the underside of the main tube but I've not yet done much in the line of disassembly. Once I get at the serial number, I'll have a better idea of its true age.
Amazingly, it's still in pretty good condition. Cosmetically, the black finish (? enamel?) has mostly worn off leaving chrome (maybe nickel) plated tube and barrel. (There are some spots where the plating has been removed, perhaps by some aggressive cleaning. ) The grip/stock frame is in excellent condition, as are the wood grips. I'm also amazed that the piston is still able to squeeze air into the intact valve. With 8 pumps the .22 cal pellet seems to hitting the target pretty darn hard. Haven't run any over the chrony yet but will in the future.
I don't have any immediate plans for it but eventually I'd like to do a full disassembly, replace some (all?) seals and restore the finish. I will have to get a valve removal tool or see if can borrow one from a friend at the LGS. I can't imaging needing to do the seal replacement deal more than once . Perhaps for now, I'll be satisfied with a little external "fluff & buff" and punching a bunch of holes in paper! Its only issue so far (other than the finish) was a missing bolt cap screw. My local Hardware Store had some SS 2-56 flat head Phillips drive screws @ $0.25 each so I bought 2. The original screw was blued, oval head with a slotted drive. I'll find on of those eventually but for now the SS ones are just fine. No one I hang with will ever know the difference  .
So, here a couple of pics. The box is original but is far from pristine. Don't have any of the original paperwork.


I'm thinking that this is a nice vintage .22cal pumper and I'm very glad to have received it. I'm disappointed that products like this air pistol are pretty much not available (at a reasonable cost anyway) in today's marketplace.
Comments welcome.
Flex

[45flint]

If it’s hitting hard, why are you in a hurry to replace the seals?  Does it hold air overnight?  Never fix what’s not broken? Your Chrony numbers will tell the story.  Personally I love the hand worn look of these old guns, shows the well used age and is cool.  Having the box just tops it’s off, very nice.

[Hoosier Daddy]

Very nice!
 If it pumps and shoots I'd keep on oiling it and shooting.
Congrats

[19Sheridan57]

   Those are nice little pistols. I know where one is for sale, now.
I fully agree with the above posters. There is NO reason to tear one down & rebuild it if it is still working well.

[Yng@hrt]

Flex- congratulations on a fine looking 132 & am sure it will give you years of enjoyment. My first Benji short gun was purchased only a few months back (’53 137) & it’s a joy to shot, hard hitting & very accurate. I also have a couple of Sheridan H9’s & the Benji just seems to have an overall better feel. As a side note all of my older Benji’s have some nickel showing through & I think it’s because Benjamin hadn’t perfected their bluing process. As others have said I think it’s a great idea just to leave it as is. However, none of mine have worn down to the brass. If this was the case maybe I’d be inclined to re-blue (not paint) & I would have it professionally done. I think these little guns are that good & worth the added cost of bluing.   

[Flex]

OK fine! No complete tear-down until it really needs it. I'll do an "overnight" leak test in the next day or two. Will it be OK to remove the grip frame and see what the serial # is? I imagine that there's a tiny spring and ball bearing between the frame and the air tube so I'll be careful and try to NOT lose either of them.
I'm undecided as to what (and when) to do about the finish on the metal. A guy at my LGS has suggested a CeraKote finish on it but I think that would take away some to its charm. As with the tear-down/seal R&R, I think that the refinishing has been postponed for now.
BTW, that green Benjamin pellet tin in the pic still has a few of the original pellets in it. I'm thinking' that I'm going to save those on "General Principles". I have a boat load of current production .22cal pellets that I can use to run over the crony and adjust the sights.
Thanks for the replies.
Flex

[eeler1]

Wow, nice looking pistol, and cool story.  Does the FIL have another daughter?

Serial numbers are usually on the side of the tube, and if it doesn't have any serial # on it anywhere, it's probably an early 1950's gun.

PM me, I'm pretty sure I have a spare screw for that bolt.

Jon

[BrushPopper]

As often happens on this forum, a thread has motivated me to go dig a neglected example out of “The Pile”. In this case, a ‘75 132.

Urs is in much better shape than mine. Picked this one up recently.

Shoots .22 FTTs pretty tight (I only use 6-8 pumps) Haven’t clocked it yet, guessing around 340. Mine shows alot of nickel. Hadn’t thought to try cold-blue, might just leave it alone.

Only caveat here is a propensity to print 2-3” high @ 10 yds. Yours doing that?

I just use half-sights and it hits the target. Neat little guns, almost tiny. Would have loved to have owned one as a cub, but they were too expensive.

Another iconic Benjamin design