Old Benjamin

[Vaultman1406]

My younger brother and I inherited an Old Benjamin from our grandfather, I have no idea what model, or year for sure. It's a bolt action and I'm pretty sure that it's pre 1940, it was surprisingly accurate and powerful before it broke.

There's a pin in the pump lever that popped out about six months ago, we took it to a local gunsmith and he tried to fix it but didn't have much luck, the pin popped out after a month . Also, the gun is obviously not exactly new and could definitely use a tune up. Anybody have any suggestions on where I could send it for a fix and a tune? Let me know, I'd love to get this great old gun back up and running . Any questions and I'll answer them.

[Smaug]

You should take some good pix and post them, to help us help you.

I assume it is a multi-pump pneumatic?

Was it the pivot pin for the pumping?

Can you take it back to the gunsmith and make him fix it, since you presumably paid him for his work and it didn't hold up? I know for Crosman guns, there are kits to replace the roll pin on which the pump pivots with solid pins, and it is maybe the #1 mod. What is the diameter of the pin?

[Vaultman1406]

I'll definitely get some pix up on here soon! As for your questions.

I wasn't sure how to describe it but yea, it's a Multi-Pump Pneumatic for sure, it seems to lose charge quickly though and the pump arm doesn't like to stay sturdy in place when its in the resting position.

Pivot pin would be a good diagnosis, I'd explain it as holding the pump arm to the rod connecting it to the cylinder, if that makes sense. I'm not sure what that pin diameter is or was.

Tried taking it back last night, personally I don't trust him though, he didn't charge much to fix it in the first place and I'd rather just get it to someone who knows a thing or two about repairing these old guns.

That being said, does anybody know of anyone that can repair/tune it? I'd love to see what it can do when its in good working condition, as opposed to barely working.

Thanks to everybody on GTA this place is incredibly helpful!

[amb5500c]

Welcome to the GTA. Tim Smith specializes in fixing the old Benjamins. He did a fantastic job on mine. Email him at: tim@smithairgunrepair.com
Richard

[Vaultman1406]

Thanks for the information Richard. I'll e-mail him right away! Is he on GTA?

The support of the community around this forum is unbelievable, thanks to everybody.

[Vaultman1406]

As promised guys, I think I got it setup to show the four pics. One of the full gun, one of the bolt action (because I thought it was cool), and one of the levers that are missing a pin.

Let me know what you think, I always thought this was a very unique and special airgun. Maybe I'm wrong (I won't be insulted if I am, it's still a piece of family history).

[Toolmaker]

 Looks like a Benjamin 312. Definitely worth having repaired. 

[amb5500c]

If you are interested in finding out the date of manufacture of it, check this out.
http://www.crosman.com/airguns/service/dates-benjamin
My oldest one is a 1962 model 310. Its 177 cal and polished brass. Here is a picture of it. http://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php/topic,15369.0.html
And here is the whole family photo as it is right now. http://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php/topic,15572.0.html
Richard

[slothart]

On the flat rear cap of the pump tube (above where your thumb rests), there should be a number visible.  (310, 312, 317, etc.)
Also, there is a serial number on the left side of the tube... if you can read it, you can look up the manufacture date on Crosman's site.

Yours looks pretty close to my early 50s 310 (smooth bore BB gun)... I'm going to second Toolmaker's guess of a 312, though.

If you want to attempt the fix yourself, Brian & Associates sells reseal kits with pretty good instructions for the old Benjamins and if you talk to him, he might be able to help you with the lost linkage pin.  http://www.bryanandac.com/
I resealed my 310 earlier this year and it was fairly easy job.  Only difficulty I ran into was some valve parts were stuck from age and I had to soak them with WD40 for a couple days before I could get them apart.

[Vaultman1406]

As Richard suggested I contacted Tim... tonight my younger brother tried taking apart his airsoft gun, he got it apart, and guess who got to put it back together... I don't trust myself to repair this gun, I'll send it out.

Looking at it, the gun is a 310, if the date code was on the barrel it was worn away a long time ago. I never put it to a crono, but I will say this gun was incredible, and it was used a lot. My brother did his fair share of varmint hunting with it. Hope Tim gets back to me and can make her right again.

[AlwaysLearning]

Crosman products seem to last for a very long time. My dad owned a blue streak when he was a teenager and he used it to shoot birds in his backyard. I wish he still had it, but somewhere down the line it got lost. Take care of that gun and pass it down to the next generation. Definitely send it out to someone who knows exactly what they are doing, you wouldn't want to any harm to come to that classic.

[lizzie]

Beautiful Vaultman- I don't think I've ever seen one of those. Very cool.

[z28rod]

Benjamin 312, and send it out to get resealed asap.

[Vaultman1406]

I've got everything set up to send it out this weekend. Anybody have any suggestions shipping AGs from NY? I'm not sure what the policies are through different shipping services.

[z28rod]

new york city and the burrows are a no no, buffalo not sure, everywhere else in state its ok to ship air guns.