70s or 80s Benjamin 177 has quit holding pressure. Trying to date it as well

[testdepth]

I purchased a Benjamin from a garage sale for $5 when I was a kid. It was in rough shape with dried out wood and didn't function.  My father took it to a gun shop and while in their possession the store was robbed. The insurance company bought me a brand new Benjamin Model 347. Many years later and now it won't hold air when pumped. It's in very good condition.

On the left of the receiver is "Benjamin Franklin" with serial number T413343. The tube has no screws and only 2 roll pins. The rear of the gun is stamped Benjamin Air Rifle Co St Louis USA.

I would like to repair this gun and find out the date it was made please.

[dk1677]

Moved

[oldair]

Your 347 was made in 1981.  If you don't want to repair it yourself, a couple good sources for service are:
Mike Baker -  peter_built78@hotmail.com  503-706-9512 
and
Bakerairguns.com  (owned by Dennis Baker, no relation to above)

If you want to fix it yourself, I think either of those will sell you a seal kit - not really difficult but a special tool is needed to remove the valve, those folks will be able to suggest a source for it.

Don R.

[bstaley]

Have you tried cocking the gun before pumping it up?  Also search here for "alcohol flush" before sending it in.  Also a little bit of oil or ATF on the pump cup has been known to do a pretty good job of reviving the seals.