Olde Skool Benjamin Franklin

[Stretch67]

In reading here in the Crosman - Benjamin gate, I remembered that I have my Dad's ancient Benjamin Franklin around here somewhere. I went spelunking in the spare room, and sure enough, one Benjamin Franklin Model 310 in .177.  Click photos to enlarge...











It appears the front band / sight broke loose at some point, and Grandpa soldered it back in place.  No worries... it's an heirloom, not a museum piece.

Internet sleuthing revealed that, with the grooved forend, two-piece hollow bolt, and no caliber designation on the receiver... it's from 1950! If purchased new, that would have been when my Dad was twelve!

Further Googling revealed that Baker carries parts and assembly tools for these old things. *bing!* Ordered.

The parts were delivered last week.  This rifle will NOT be "restored".  I'm going to clean 'er up good, get it functioning with the rebuild kit, and enjoy my Dad's antique airgun as is.  This is going to be great.

[bantam5s]

You definitely got the right idea.
This gun is going to be a blast to shoot when you're done.

[eeler1]

Looks like a custom bolt handle too.

[Stretch67]

Looks like a custom bolt handle too.

You may be right.  The model 310 went to one-piece bolts in 1952-ish...


Baker Airguns photo

 but the earlier two-piece bolts I've found all look like this...


Northwest Firearms photo


Gun Auction photo

The original bolt handle could have loosened and become lost.  Grandpa was a blacksmith and millwright, and could have fabbed this up...


My fambly heirloom

[splitbeing]

Literally a little touch of grandpa every time you cock it to shoot, cool and sentimental stuff, Todd.

[longhunter]

When you get it done, get some Crosman 10.5gr. domes. Mine will stack them, at 15 yards.
Your gun is a smoothbore, by the way.

[Hoosier Daddy]

Outstanding!

I love seeing old heirlooms resurrected!

[Methuselah]

Todd,

I just picked up one of these and it's queued for repair, maybe restoration too (for the learning experience).

If there's any tips you can offer I'd love to hear them?

[Stretch67]

Todd,

I just picked up one of these and it's queued for repair, maybe restoration too (for the learning experience).

If there's any tips you can offer I'd love to hear them?

I haven't started on it yet, but when I do, I'll try to post some Before and After photos with the 75-year-old parts. 

[JPSAXNC]

The valve return spring in the 310 has a real high spring rate, maybe 30-40 pounds, they didn't want a 1000fps. BB gun.