Unknown pellet pistol

M2HMGHB · April 16, 2005, 11:00 PM

Friend of mine needs some help id'ing an old pellet pistol, maker is Benjamin Franklin, pics to be found at: http://www.glocktalk.com/showthread....97#post4094297

Any info appreciated. TIA

HunterTRW · April 17, 2005, 12:53 PM

My guess is that the maker is not "Benjamin Franklin," but rather the Benjamin Air Rifle Company which (at least as of 1941) used to be based in St. Louis, Missouri. The reason I said, "...at least as of 1941..." is that I have a copy of Outdoorsman magazine from January of that year, and it includes a box ad by Benjamin listing that address, and featuring information about its air rifles and pistols which could shoot BBs or pellets (with rifled barrels in two available calibers: .177 or .22).

Benjamin is now owned by Crosman. For information on your particular heirloom pistol you might check Crosman's Website (www.crosman.com). Click on "About Crosman," then "Customer Service," then "Product Support," and finally "Benjamin/Sheridan Date of Manufacture."

Hope this helps.

Good luck, and good shooting!

**JohnKSa** · April 17, 2005, 08:13 PM

There really are "Benjamin Franklin" airguns (as opposed to Benjamin or Benjamin Sheridan airguns). I don't know much about them, but they're out there.

HunterTRW · April 17, 2005, 09:49 PM

I did a bit more research and found that the "Benjamin Franklin" brand of air guns (pistols and rifles) were, indeed, manufactured by the Benjamin Air Rifle Company of St. Louis, Missouri. Crosman acquired the Benjamin marque in 1991.

Good luck, and good shooting!

unclestu · April 20, 2005, 12:46 PM

Yes, thay made a bucn of 'em marked "Benjamin Franklin" over the years. That pistol is probably a model 132(.22) or 137(.177). There are people out there who still fix them. Here's a coupla places to ask:
the crosnam forum: http://www.network54.com/Forum/275684

and the airgun forum: http://www.network54.com/Forum/79537?it=0

April 16, 2005, 11:00 PM	#1
M2HMGHB Member Join Date: April 16, 2002 Location: NJ Posts: 90	Unknown pellet pistol Friend of mine needs some help id'ing an old pellet pistol, maker is Benjamin Franklin, pics to be found at: http://www.glocktalk.com/showthread....97#post4094297 Any info appreciated. TIA

April 17, 2005, 12:53 PM	#2
HunterTRW Senior Member Join Date: December 3, 2004 Location: The Lower Forty of Hill Country Posts: 177	My guess is that the maker is not "Benjamin Franklin," but rather the Benjamin Air Rifle Company which (at least as of 1941) used to be based in St. Louis, Missouri. The reason I said, "...at least as of 1941..." is that I have a copy of Outdoorsman magazine from January of that year, and it includes a box ad by Benjamin listing that address, and featuring information about its air rifles and pistols which could shoot BBs or pellets (with rifled barrels in two available calibers: .177 or .22). Benjamin is now owned by Crosman. For information on your particular heirloom pistol you might check Crosman's Website (www.crosman.com). Click on "About Crosman," then "Customer Service," then "Product Support," and finally "Benjamin/Sheridan Date of Manufacture." Hope this helps. Good luck, and good shooting! __________________ "If we're all thinking alike, somebody isn't thinking." General George S. Patton, Jr. Last edited by HunterTRW; April 17, 2005 at 01:27 PM.

April 17, 2005, 09:49 PM	#4
HunterTRW Senior Member Join Date: December 3, 2004 Location: The Lower Forty of Hill Country Posts: 177	I did a bit more research and found that the "Benjamin Franklin" brand of air guns (pistols and rifles) were, indeed, manufactured by the Benjamin Air Rifle Company of St. Louis, Missouri. Crosman acquired the Benjamin marque in 1991. Good luck, and good shooting! __________________ "If we're all thinking alike, somebody isn't thinking." General George S. Patton, Jr.

April 20, 2005, 12:46 PM	#5
unclestu Member Join Date: April 1, 2005 Location: Far NE Texas Posts: 98	Yes, thay made a bucn of 'em marked "Benjamin Franklin" over the years. That pistol is probably a model 132(.22) or 137(.177). There are people out there who still fix them. Here's a coupla places to ask: the crosnam forum: http://www.network54.com/Forum/275684 and the airgun forum: http://www.network54.com/Forum/79537?it=0 Last edited by unclestu; April 20, 2005 at 02:38 PM.

April 17, 2005, 08:13 PM	#3
JohnKSa Staff Join Date: February 12, 2001 Location: DFW Area Posts: 24,986	There really are "Benjamin Franklin" airguns (as opposed to Benjamin or Benjamin Sheridan airguns). I don't know much about them, but they're out there.