1976(?) Benjamin 347. Can I install an aperture rear without drilling/tapping?

[north country gal]

Don, whatever sight you choose, let me say what a wonderful job you've done refinishing that 347. It's a beauty. Congrats.

As for me, my vote is for the Baker, just to keep it vintage correct and not have to drill and tap. Your call, of course.

[Tallbald]

Folks thank you so very much for the guidance. I'll consider the two different sights and come warmer weather in the shop, look closely at just what to do. Actually I'm a retired journeyman tool and die  maker . D+T for the sight isn't a problem for me should I go that route and the Williams appears not to be as "fiddly" to adjust as the reproduction, but I sure do ponder heavily putting two holes where there weren't holes to begin with. But then again, it's my gun, and likely will end up who knows where after I'm gone...
 And thank you North Country Gal for the kind remarks about the refinish. The flame appearance was God's handiwork and I sure admire the beauty. I love walnut, and this walnut sure speaks to a person.
Don

[Hoosier Daddy]

OUTSTANDING!!!

[north country gal]

You're very welcome, Don. Let us know how you set up that very nice 347. Given you're drilling brass, should be very easy to d&t.

[RBQChicken]

Don,
If you can drill and tap for the Williams 5D-SH yourself, I'd do it.  If you're worried about altering an old gun, you already did it!  You refinished the stock. As a collectible, it's value has already been diminished.  But you know what?  You made it better than it ever was when it was brand new!

A drilled and tapped peep sight is a huge improvement over the stock open sights.  Make the gun as great as it can be for you.  There are many who will value it as much as you do.

If money is no object, Williams makes another sight that is like the 5D-SH but has easier to adjust knobs for windage and elevation adjustments.  Instead of $45 or so plus S&H it's something like $70 plus S&H.

[Tallbald]

Thank you all. I'm continuing study. Don

[Hoosier Daddy]

Why do people keep suggesting drill and tap for the Williams 5D-SH when the thread title clearly states...

Can I install an aperture rear without drilling/tapping?

??

I have posted the proper solution to the OP's question, with OEM products, and an example... and another member answered where to find it (Repop).

I am confused. 

[RBQChicken]

You are right. I got off topic (I think because someone mentioned a concern about breaking the 273 off).  If you notice my reply#5, I was talking about the sight you mentioned.

[Tallbald]

Folks I've held this little rifle and considered the advantages of an aperture sight over and above the coarse rear leaf. Held it at arms length, thought about how in 1976, the year of my high school graduation, while thinking about how deliciously proud I'd have been to own it back then just as it is. The 70's were hard for my family with job losses for both my folks, and to spend more money on an already-wonderful Benjamin would have been "gilding the lily". Not something I could afford to spend. This little rifle is what it is. A very well and proudly made air gun whose design and execution was reaching the end of the  hand machining and soldering manufacturing technology era. Skilled craftspersons built and assembled the various parts to create a training and casual hunting gun any adult or child would have been proud to own.
 Rather than drill and tap this old girl for something she doesn't have to have to be perfectly functional and fun I'm going to leave her as she was made. I can work to learn better how to shoot cloverleafs with her as she remains. Yeah she has a new, shiny finished evening gown that accentuates her curves and contours but even had she not had that new gloss, she's still have inner beauty that shines through. And she'd be the belle of my ball.
 I have a wonderful, accurate and modern-made RWS 34 that maybe does shoot rings around this slightly worn old 347. But this 347 has class that outweighs some things she doesn't.
 Yeah, I'll leave things alone and enjoy dancing with this girl several times a summer. Think back to when she was born. Be glad she's mine the time I have left, even though it was almost 50 years late getting to my home.
 Thank you all again for taking time to educate me on my options. I hope my questions and internal debate haven't wasted your all's time.
Don

[TerryM]

  I had a Diana 34 for over 20 years.  Sold it after I got into old pneumatic and CO2 guns.  They all outshoot that twanger, big time.

[glockwhiskey]

  I had a Diana 34 for over 20 years.  Sold it after I got into old pneumatic and CO2 guns.  They all outshoot that twanger, big time.

I have my old 347 I bought in high school in the 80's. I refinished the stock to bring out the true colors of beautiful Walnut. I put the Williams peep on mine but mine had the screw holes to do so. That thing is a tack driver and an absolute fun rifle to shoot. They don't make em like they used too.

[wjjones]

FYI: I have the Benjamin 273 mounted on my 342.  Myself and others have found that the 273 doesn't adjust low enough on the 3xx Benjamins, causing the gun to shoot high. This can be resolved by removing a small amount of the tab that is attached to the cam plate. It was easy to do with a Dremel. Otherwise, I love the 273; it turned my 342 the aforementioned tack driver. 

Oh...nice job on the refinishing.  I have refinished a couple of my old pumpers and I wasn't worried about collector value. 

[bantam5s]

Folks I bought this Benjamin at a moving auction for $50 about 6 years ago. A beautiful rifle, it did have a few stock dings and yucky areas. So I got to work raising the dents with steam judicially applied, a very light sanding and I believe 4 coats of rubbed Minwax Antique Oil Finish. Remarkable feathering of the walnut buttstock area. I'm pleased with the results.
 What don't I enjoy? The wide rear sight leaf. Very hard for me to use. Upon advise of experienced folks here, I installed a rear aperture easily on my Benji 392 and the help to my old eyes is phenominal...phenomanil....   really wonderful.
 Is an aftermarket rear aperture sight available for my old 347 that installs without alteration please?
I apologize for the upside down and sidewise orientation of two of the photos. I don't know why my telephone did that when it transferred the pictures to my laptop...
Thank you. Don

There is a slot under the cam plate for a model 273 peep sight.
Just order one from bakerairguns and you'll be good to go, you may need to build up the front sight with hot glue or something.
Sometimes they need a taller front sight or they'll shoot too high.

[RBQChicken]

Get the 273 sight and make it work.  You'll be glad you did.  Take it from a '75 graduate (we have the same lousy eyes)

[Tallbald]

Get the 273 sight and make it work.  You'll be glad you did.  Take it from a '75 graduate (we have the same lousy eyes)

Grins all around. When did I get this age?!?  That's OK though we are still as handsome as we ever were..
Don

[WECSOG]

Get the 273. If you wait, they may no longer be available next time you look. I have one on my late 342, and love it. In fact my 342 has both the slot for the 273, and factory D&T for the Williams sight. I went for the 273 because of its uniqueness, and couldn't be happier.

The comment about "what if you drop it" is ludicrous. What if you drop it with the Williams sight, or hit the front sight and break it off? What if you fall with it while the pump handle is open, and twist the arm off? 

ETA: I also have one on my early 342. Forgot about that one. Also no problems ever.