Sheridan Silver Streak

[SnoValley]

Picked this up at a local "Man Cave" themed swap meet.
Was really tarnished and neglected looking, but cleaned up great!
Very few dings in the woodwork and absolutely not a single mark on the metal.
These early "C's" with the thin pump arm feel amazing to handle, they come to shoulder very naturally.
Can someone date this accurately? I believe the hold down safety, straight bolt and thin pump arm dates it as late 40's
Early 50's?
EDIT as has been clarified: I understand it's between a 1956 - 1958 model...guess I should buy uj's book

[PakProtector]

hey-Hey!!!,
I believe that the earliest that rifle could possibly be is 1954. 1953 marked the end of the Model B and they exposed some of the pump tube under the barrel unlike the C's which extended the pump handle/stock right up to the pivot. The hold-down safety is another one; that also came after the B's and prior to the rockers in 1961( maybe '61 was the end of the hold-down and '62 was the start of the rocker ).

In any case, very nice find. I just love my 1973 Blue Streak.

That thing will need lube. I was directed to acquire some Bel-Ray 30 wt fork oil for all its needs. drips on the sliding block in the pump tube( it is a sintered bit that acts like a sponge to soak up and deploy lube to the rest of the gun) drips on the pivots and then go enjoy.
cheers,
Douglas

[badredbird]

yes its early 50s probably about a 54, nice gun

[Tom @ Buzzard Bluff]

 Could be a 1st series C (1949-'51) but the forearm is wrong. Since it is so badly mis-matched however a replacement seems most likely.
 Can't tell from the pics for certain but I also suspect the rear sight is later. Earliest model had knurled thumbscrews (which never worked well) for lateral adjustment and a grubscrew on both sides for retention to the barrel. Later sight had a grubscrew on one side and a punched dimple opposite. Like the forearm it could be a replacement.
 The cincher will be the shape of the front sight which can't be changed out. My Sheridan book is MIA so we'll both have to wait on others to weigh in. Tom

[VPilot]

Here are some known facts as they pertain to your rifle:

Straight bolt handle -  Earliest C models up to 1961 when bolt handles became curved : 1949 -1960
Rear Sight -  sight held by small allen-head screw opposing two dimples on opposite side : 1956 - 1971 (earlier models featured permanently soldered rear sights with knurled windage knobs)
Automatic Safety - Pre 1963 when rocker was introduced. 1949-1962
Narrow Trigger Guard  - 1959 and earlier  (can't see it in your pic but there should be philips screws holding the trigger guard instead of rivets)
Stock and Forearm -  If 4 screws were used in place of roll pins on the forearm, then it indicates one of first two years of that model - along with thin "almost crude" stock and thin cylindrical forearm 1949-1951.  Roll pins indicate 3rd year production onward. - 1952 on
Partridge-style front sight with vertical rear face - Incorporated 2-3 years after introduction of the C model : 1951-1964
Simple Markings -  the words "5mm Cal" and "Made in USA" on opposite side introduced in 1960.  Absent those inscriptions 1949-1959
High Comb Stock - 1949-1958  Lowered in 1959

I'd say the best guess given the info on hand is it's between a 1956 - 1958 model (Based on rear sight and high comb).

Tim
VPilot

[badredbird]

sounds good to me , i have a 58 blue streak , i know its a 58 cause i still have the box , and meets the criteria you have there m good info thanks for posting

[SnoValley]

Here are some known facts as they pertain to your rifle:

Straight bolt handle -  Earliest C models up to 1961 when bolt handles became curved : 1949 -1960
Rear Sight -  sight held by small allen-head screw opposing two dimples on opposite side : 1956 - 1971 (earlier models featured permanently soldered rear sights with knurled windage knobs)
Automatic Safety - Pre 1963 when rocker was introduced. 1949-1962
Narrow Trigger Guard  - 1959 and earlier  (can't see it in your pic but there should be philips screws holding the trigger guard instead of rivets)
Stock and Forearm -  If 4 screws were used in place of roll pins on the forearm, then it indicates one of first two years of that model - along with thin "almost crude" stock and thin cylindrical forearm 1949-1951.  Roll pins indicate 3rd year production onward. - 1952 on
Partridge-style front sight with vertical rear face - Incorporated 2-3 years after introduction of the C model : 1951-1964
Simple Markings -  the words "5mm Cal" and "Made in USA" on opposite side introduced in 1960.  Absent those inscriptions 1949-1959
High Comb Stock - 1949-1958  Lowered in 1959

I'd say the best guess given the info on hand is it's between a 1956 - 1958 model (Based on rear sight and high comb).

Tim
VPilot

Thanks Vpilot I think you re correct in your dating. Great info I didn't know

[PakProtector]

Thanks for the corrections; this is Air Rifle history, not hand grenades or horse shoes...
cheers,
Douglas

[Crosshairs]

Sweet looking shooter 
                          Mike 

[SnoValley]

Finally found time to tinker and re-sealed this Silver and ran some Chrony numbers.
The pump cup was so brittle that when I tried to flex it it just broke apart. Got the adaptor to replace the old style cup from Rick @ Precision.
New poppet and stem.

JSB 13.73 Diabolo 80degrees outside
15 shots at 5 pumps= 551.95 average FPS, 9.29 FPE
10 shots at 8 pumps= 655.2 FPS, 13.08 FPE

Don't know if anybody is keeping a database for these old C's, but thought you might be interested.
Thanks for all the help dating this beauty.

[Crosshairs]

Finally found time to tinker and re-sealed this Silver and ran some Chrony numbers.
The pump cup was so brittle that when I tried to flex it it just broke apart. Got the adaptor to replace the old style cup from Rick @ Precision.
New poppet and stem.

JSB 13.73 Diabolo 80degrees outside
15 shots at 5 pumps= 551.95 average FPS, 9.29 FPE
10 shots at 8 pumps= 655.2 FPS, 13.08 FPE

Don't know if anybody is keeping a database for these old C's, but thought you might be interested.
Thanks for all the help dating this beauty.

Cool sounds like it has some good power gotta love them classics she sure is a beauty. Im still looking for one i have see some but they wanted crazy money. Anyway good luck and shoot safe.
                                      Mike

[airgunandy]

Very nice old 'Dan. Looks like you got resealed OK too. My '65 rocker Blue Streak shoots about the same velocities with Benji Cylindricals.