My last of the last of the Sheridan made Blue Streaks (maybe)

[Steve the Grampa]

My favorite air gun by far is my Sheridan Blue Streak. I got it new, a zillion years ago. Still have the instructions too.

Why do I like this one best? Because it requires nothing but 5mm pellets and some elbow grease to operate, and it hits hard with great accuracy.

So great is the accuracy that when the kids ("kids" in their mid 40s) were seen to be shooting toward the burn pile 50 yards from the deck at a "stick", I had to stop them because they were ruining the handle of my best shovel. Not bad for an air gun with the Sheridan iron sights. I make no claim that I could match their eyesight or steady aim.

One thing that makes special to me THIS Blue Streak relates to it's serial number: 175746.
The final rifle made in 1976 was 175840, only 94 rifles higher than mine. The next month, January 1977, Benjamin took over the production at number 175841, according to web references.

In 1976, Sheridan's final year, 34,379 Streaks were built. If they worked all 365 days at full speed, that is barely OVER 94 rifles per day. Which makes this rifle one that was built on the last day of production under Sheridan ownership.
Since assuming Sheridan did work every single hour of that year is preposterous, I suggest that  this rifle was built during the very last assembly shift that worked under Sheridan Products ownership.

I know that claim is open to debate, as serialized receivers might be grabbed for assembly out of order, and for other reasons. But I know this example was one of the very last made by the REAL Sheridan Products company and selfishly prefer to believe it was on the last day that was possible.

There are some minor marks on the stock and one dent, but the metal is great and the rifle still spits pellets with authority in as-issued condition. I like this thing for what it is, and so does everyone who shoots it.

My New Guy status prevents posting pictures of this rifle.

Best wishes to the forum.

[Goose]

Welcome, Steve.

I'm a long time Sheridan fan myself.  Nothing better for the money!

Now get that post-count up so we can see the pics! 

J~

[threesuns]

Nice write up! Love my old Blue Streak! Its been with me a long time and is showing its age. At one point I was down to only 2 airguns, old Blue was one of them, and was largely responsible for rekindling my interest in airguns.

Including a picture of my Blue streak along side a slightly older Kessler that I was able to bring back to life with some help from the GTA.

Welcome

[19Sheridan57]

   I love my Sheridans too . Take good care of it & you can pass it down to your children, then to their children.

[avator]

Yeah, definitely airgun time machines.

[bantam5s]

I'm with you all the way, my '79 blue streak " Ol' Blue " is about my most prised possession and definitely my most loved most fired and most familiar gun.

I did not get Ol' Blue new like you did your blue streak though.
Around '84 my uncle Bob ( dads cousin) bought a new H series pistol and sold this rifle to my dad to replace his recently stolen blue streak, he bought me a Crosman 66 when I was 7 but from the 1st time he let me shoot Ol' Blue I was hooked.
He eventually gave me the gun one year when I was a teenager and I was so excited to finally own my favorite thing and no longer need permission to shoot it.
Since the day my dad started letting me shoot Ol' Blue as a little kid I've probably put at least 10-12 thousand pellets through it.

I was heartbroken when the barrel separated at the breech and I can't tell you how nervous I was to send it off to Mac1 airguns for repair, I couldn't wait to get the gun back and that was one of the longest weeks I can remember.
When I did get Ol' Blue back he was better than ever because I had Tim drill/ tap the breech for a William's peep sight.


I'll be looking for to seeing pictures of your blue streak when you get your post count up enough to upload some pictures.

[rangerfredbob]

Small world, I'm in the neighborhood with a Dayton address!

I don't remember the vintage of my blue streak... I know it's old enough to have the lead seal at the back of the valve when I resealed it... I have too many options so don't shoot it much but it is a nice piece of work, I do prefer pumpers to most options, PCP wins out though

[DLP]

I remember the day I recieved my Blue Streak. It was 1975 and my 12th birthday. My brother asked me if I wanted an instrument to play in the school band or a prllet rifle. I still have the .20 cal. Shot it today as a mater of fact!

[anti-squirrel]

My first Blue Streak was a casualty of my 1st divorce.  It was used professionally in pest management. (bird abatement)

I got my second here on the GTA Classified with a peep sight from Mitch (a fellow submariner) and it remains as treasured as my Leshiy Classic, my wife's Lelya, and my 1322 Crosman Medalist (rear-cocker pistol).  Like those other airguns, the Blue Streak is a laser.  I've hit RedBull cans at 60 yards; my wife has repeatedly nailed the same can at 80 yards, so that should tell you something about both the gun's accuracy and her shooting ability.  JSB .20s, always and every day, though if I could afford it, I'd shoot .20 Polymags exclusively.  THOSE pellets are amazing in .20!

Welcome to the GTA< and congratulations on owning a functional piece of history!

[Iguana15]

I have a streak with 175497 serial number… my parents bought it for me when it was new… if it could only talk, it probably has filled a wheelbarrow of critter over the years.. Since then I’ve acquired a few more lol