What a good neighbor.... 397P questions

[MEDI830]

Well, it's been awhile, haven't posted on here in quite sometime! It's great to see how much the forum has progressed and how many more people are on here!!

So, here's my situation:

My neighbor and I are land surveyors, he's retired, and I'm just getting my 7th year under my belt, regardless.. we come across job site finds ALL THE TIME. A couple years back, he came across a GEM in the rough, a silver streak 397P in pretty good condition. He busted it out last night because his girlfriend was thinking of selling it at an upcoming auction but wanted my thoughts on it first, thankfully she didn't sell it and I said I'd buy it ASAP. I was DROOLING over this puppy. Still functions great, needs some serious cleaning up, but it still shoots straight with iron sights, has no issues pumping (other than a rusty pump rod under the hood) It's basically just needing some TLC along with refinishing the wood. You can tell that the pump handle and stock do not match as well, don't know if the previous owner widdled something together or what, but the handle that's there, it works.

For what it's worth, because I couldn't get squat on a date etc, the serial starts with N94. What I read was that meant it was made november 1994...??

If anyone can point me in a good direction (I'll add pictures to this later on when I get the chance) of a serial number thingy (lol) - I've been searching the site with no luck (Maybe I'm just bad at searching, who knows?)

As ya'll can tell from my activity here, I really only know the 1377/1322 - so this will be a new experience of air gun work for myself, but I am ready for a challenge like this! It's similar in functionality, but there's more parts for sure. I look forward to it!

Hope everyone is doing well, and blessings to all that need them - one love - MEDI

[DanD]

Nice find.
Here's the official Crosman documentation about Benjamin production dates.
https://discover.crosman.com/blog/benjamin-sheridan-product-dates-of-manufacture
Have fun!

[MEDI830]

When I get the gun back in my hands, I will reference this sheet - though I looked through it and didn't see any match the other night 

I will make a point to take a pic of the serial stamped on the side, and maybe that will help things, I've already told him I'd give $100 for the thing.... just to put the grease to the gears, so to speak...

Nice find.
Here's the official Crosman documentation about Benjamin production dates.
https://discover.crosman.com/blog/benjamin-sheridan-product-dates-of-manufacture
Have fun!

[DanD]

When I get the gun back in my hands, I will reference this sheet - though I looked through it and didn't see any match the other night 

I will make a point to take a pic of the serial stamped on the side, and maybe that will help things, I've already told him I'd give $100 for the thing.... just to put the grease to the gears, so to speak...

The first paragraph mentions the month+year serial number convention and verifies your gun as Nov 94. Further down you can find that an S397 variant was made during that period.  Some guns of that period had soldered valve bodies and some had cartridge valves. I am looking forward to pictures!

[MEDI830]

When I get the gun back in my hands, I will reference this sheet - though I looked through it and didn't see any match the other night 

I will make a point to take a pic of the serial stamped on the side, and maybe that will help things, I've already told him I'd give $100 for the thing.... just to put the grease to the gears, so to speak...

The first paragraph mentions the month+year serial number convention and verifies your gun as Nov 94. Further down you can find that an S397 variant was made during that period.  Some guns of that period had soldered valve bodies and some had cartridge valves. I am looking forward to pictures!

I'm curious as there is nothing after '94 here on this sheet? Or is it just me? It's definitely a 93-97 variant, fully welded barrel to body.

[DanD]

I see 91-93, 93-97, and 97-present

[MEDI830]

I see 91-93, 93-97, and 97-present

Had me a proper "D'oh!" moment there lol - whoops 

Thanks Dan, you're the man!!

I'll get pictures today and get back with the forum shortly.

[MEDI830]

Here's the pictures of the 397P - it's a bit beat up, rust all in the piston rod, etc.... it's seen better days....

Serial number included, now here's the question...

How much would one pay for this gun? I already offered $100 like a jacka**.... just to seal the deal/grease the wheels so his girlfriend wouldn't pawn it off with her jewelry etc...

It's a nice piece of kit and I'd love to break it down, clean it up, and make a work horse out of it.

[c801tfd]

Very nice machine, no expert on price here and like you said your $100 offer is a conversation starter, but if he takes don’t have remorse go with it. However, if he seeks more some things I look at when purchasing a project are averages of purchase of similar condition rifles, shipping if bought online, costs for things that are needed to bring it to shootable condition such as a Seal kit, Special tools for repair, Stock refinish.

As an example if the average going price is $250, I estimate and deduct the elements identified above when negotiating a true value/purchase price, in your case again $100 is a good start and if I were negotiating my target price would be $165-$175 and if it is a just can’t let go I would top out at $185 and that is only because of perceived condition and potential repair cost, and the fact that I did not have to pay $30-$40 for shipping and handling.

I must also note I purchase for my sons and I to repair as needed, shoot and keep, I never purchase with the intent to flip. Therefore, my offers may be higher in some instances as I have no interest in resale. However, I also do not want to pay more than what I could have paid for one in good working order.

As always something is only worth what a buyer is willing to pay and a seller is willing to accept. Good luck with your pending acquisition it should be a keeper.

[DanD]

...
How much would one pay for this gun? I already offered $100 like a jacka**.... just to seal the deal/grease the wheels so his girlfriend wouldn't pawn it off with her jewelry etc...
...

I think $100 is a reasonable offer and is probably much more than a pawn shop would give.
Good luck!

[c801tfd]

I do agree $100 is a fair offer and I also agree a pawn shop would give $100 as well but, the pawn shop becomes the flipper knowing there is as they say “meat on the bone” and will try to sell it for at the very least $200 and on a good day they may let it go for $150.

Since your pending transaction is in person with someone you know then absolutely the $100 offer is fair, however, if you feel more is warranted you can always adjust by offering more, especially if you think they were offended, who knows he may refuse more than original $100 offer.