Sheridan Blue Streak Identification

[TobyH]

Hi all,

My new(!) sheridan has arrived.

I'd like to try and identify the year and model a bit more accurately, i've read that older 'dans use the year of build as their serial number (mixed up) but mine seems like a normal serial number:015433. I'm guessing this means it a bit younger?

Here's some pics to give a better idea:








I'm interested in also knowing which spare parts fit this rifle in case something goes wrong.

[TobyH]

Just managed to get some information. The serial number is apparently from a 1972 build.

Same age as me!! (probably in better shape too!)

[longislandhunter]

Nice looking shooter.  Ya just have to love those older pumpers.  I have one just like that that I bought new when I was 12 years old...... that was 43 years ago and the rifle still shoots as hard and as straight as it did the first day I took it out of the box.  Can't even count how many pests that rifle has taken over the last 43 years.

Congrats on a fine rifle, enjoy 

Jeff

[badredbird]

i have a 73 also amnd may get my hands on a crew cut from i think like 53 , enjoy   fine fine guns and excellent shooters

[TobyH]

Just carried out some Chrony testing:

8 Pumps gives ave of 523 fps giving 9.29 lbft
10 Pumps gives ave of 584 fps giving 11.58 lbft
11 Pumps gives ave of 599 fps giving 12.21 lbft

These were all carried out with Logun Penetrator .20 @ 15.6gr pellets. Each average is of 5 shots.

There's quite big variations in the fps values over the 5 shots.

Legal limit in the UK is 12 lbft so 10 pumps max for me.

How do these figures compare with other Blue Streaks?

Have to say accuracy is not that great at the moment. Its a windy day which doesn't help, but even so. Might need to get the crown worked on to make sure its ok. Saying that if the fps varies alot then the accuracy won't be good anyway, is there any reason that the fps could be so wild?

This type of rifle is all new to me so any help greatly appreciated!!

[TobyH]

Wow. I've just re-crowned the barrel and I'm now getting 1/2" groups at 20yds! Thats more like it!

I suspect when I was chrony'ing before I wasn't concentrating too much on accuracy, but even so it shoots really well.

Its hard to get an accurate bead on the target with these open sites though, but should be fine to get a pigeon!

I have a little more faith in the rifle now, was wondering what I had bought!!

[badredbird]

ill chrony mine today with ten pumps all ill pump her , and 13.43 h and ns and post it, then ill do same with benjamins

[badredbird]

my blue streak 1973  with benjamin 14.3   655   with an h and n 13.27   689fps   with a 13 grain predator polymag 693 fps, have a 1958 i biught the other day on its way, will chrono when that comes, also have a friend  who just got his 1953 flattop silver streak back from getting steroided by tim at mac1  airguns with the 14.3 benjamin ammo was 931 fps , with 14 pumps

[TobyH]

So with ten pumps your looking at around 13.4-14 lbft which is about 2-2.5lbft more than mine.

Looks like it'll need a strip down and perhaps some new seals?

Is there anywhere that has instructions on stripping down the blue streak, i've seen the exploded diagrams but not instructions...?

[TobyH]

Got some different pellets arriving on monday so will try it again with them.

[badredbird]

the guns vary from gun to gun, but yes the difference could be the seals, what youve been oiling them with, i sue secret sauce from timmy mac, its wonderfull stuff, great anti wear properties, tim told me they shot a gun for 15 years 20 shots a day, then they broke down gun to see, no wear, it also wont gum up the seals and pump, mine i will tell you does a nice job on rabbits , i will try to dig up instructs , if not go to the mac1 gate and send tim an email he will be happy to tell you how to do it, he s rebuilt sevral guns and steroided a few for me , he s been doing it for 40 odd years , he really knows his stuff , i bet you will find alot of sludge in her,  what do you oil it with?

[TobyH]

Well I have only just got her two days ago so am not sure what lubricant to use. I understand there is a special tool that is needed to strip the gun down.

The problem is that I'm in the UK so getting parts is hard. I will send Tim an email and see what the best course of action is. I'm not sure if I can get his Secret Sauce sent over here, but I will ask.

[badredbird]

i know the tool can be gotten from bryan and associates look at their website , some make it with a spare ratchet socket, if he wont send it direct i will surely send it its the best stuff, in the mean time you can use air tool oil or compressor oil the viscosity is a hair thinner but it works and keeps the valve nice , just by lubing it if it hasnt been lubed it might help the gun out, im waiting on a 1958   that will be shipped monday , the older rifles from the 50s had really nice barrels , am anxious to see difference in gun   i will post pics whe  i get it and let you know on performance

[TobyH]

Will have a look at the tool, I may be able to make it myself (I'm an engineer).

I have air tool oil, so will try that for the time being. I sent Tim an email, will see what he says.

Thanks for your help by the way, it's very much appreicated!

[badredbird]

k anytime toby , tim may take a day or 2 , he s always busy but he will get back to you   

[TobyH]

Tool and reseal kit has been ordered from Bryan & Associates, very quick reply to my email. Shipping isn't too bad either.

[Tom @ Buzzard Bluff]

Tool and reseal kit has been ordered from Bryan & Associates, very quick reply to my email. Shipping isn't too bad either.

IIRC the kit will include installation instructions.
Try here for instructions: <http://anotherairgunblog.blogspot.com/search/label/sheridan>     Tom

[TobyH]

Cheers Tom, I think your right they did mention some instructions. That link was useful to see it stripped down. That chap clearly has plenty of experience!!

[badredbird]

yes they are experienced , its a worthwhile project, that gun will last you the rest of your life, now when you rebuild it, it will take some shots to break it in, when i gave you those chrono numbers i shot 5 shot strings , 4 out of the 5 were duplicate readings, so mine is well broken in, youll probably be amazed at the amount of &^^& that comes out of that gun also, i used mine the other day to dispatch some garden pests, im always amazed at it s ability to do such, now i have several steroids, bt invariably i pick up the streak to do work, cant wait to get my 58 that i bought will probably be here wednesday, will test and post , its in absolutely beautifull condition, but until i shoot it you never know about internals , i may be doing same as you soon , you will see , keep us posted its a worthwhile project

[Tom @ Buzzard Bluff]

Toby,
 I suppose by now you've noted that brb and I are the Sheridan cheering section.;o)

 As he noted above your rifle should be shooting much stronger and once you get it in good fettle I think you'll find yourself very surprised indeed by the velocity stability. The vast majority of springers can't hold a candle for it in that respect!

 Below the line you will find a composite of my writings about Sheridans within the past year to various correspondents & airgun boards.   Tom
*************************************************************
I only have 3 Sheridans left but they're all 'keepers'. If I HAD to depend on an airgun to put protein on my table in a real survival situation it would be my # 1 choice. My oldest one---a 1st series 1949-'51 Silver Streak---was last rebuilt in the early sixties of the past century after it was given to me by a cousin who thought it was 'worn out'. It's been used----a LOT! I'd still trust it with my life! I have a couple of later model rocker safety Blue Streaks--'66 & '69--that are as accurate as the early hold-down safety Silver Streak but I've 'said Grace' over both of them and they will embarrass most high $ imports in both power AND accuracy.

Just for the He11uvit treat yourself to a good mid-late '60s rocker-safety Sheridan. Expect to pay @ $150---give or take depending on condition. Costs little to rebuild but well done they approach---or even exceed----700 fps with a 14.3 Premier (15.5 FPE). Put the # 64 Williams peepsight made for it on the rear and prepare yourself to fall in love with airgunning all over again. The '60s rifles were scarily accurate as were all the early Model Cs from 1949 up----and they're pretty close to eternal in airgun terms. The triggers never even heard of a lawyer and the bronze barrels just seem to improve with age. They virtually define 'shooter-friendly' and will make you wonder why in blue blazes you're sweating blood by trying to wring accuracy out of a recalcitrant springer when your C model yields it so eagerly. A good C will make you love pumping!

There's just something 'right' about an old pumper that makes it belong in every outdoorsman's home. Perfect medicine for defending Martin houses, bird feeders and property from usurpers wearing fur or feathers. Good snake medicine in a boat and an endless source of amusement in camp. Not much beats sitting on a shoreline in a shaded lawnchair with a cold barley soda near to hand and lazily putting in a few pumps and picking dragonflies off of the catttails on a lazy Summer day. Even the pumping becomes almost hypnotic at times like that and cares fall away like the leaves of Autumn. Think of them as balm for the soul in such idyllic circumstances.

Some things are universally recognized as classics, the Parthenon, a Bugatti and a Parker double barrel among them. The Sheridan C comes from a similar mold.                     Cheers, Tom @ Buzzard Bluff