Wow!… that’s too cool. I hope you have it somewhere you can easily and regularly gaze at it. Thanks for sharing.John
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Benjamin Benjamin Franklin 317 arrived today
- Thread starter .20calguy
- Start date
I have my grandfather's 317 from when he was a child. So I would think the rifle is from the 1920's, maybe.
I replaced the leather pump cup and it shoots very strong.
Here are some pictures for your viewing pleasure.
The rifle is all original except for the leather pump cup.
Fantastic patina!!
No serial number.
Only "USA" is on the cap shown.
If you need any more pictures, just leave me know.
Flagger
I replaced the leather pump cup and it shoots very strong.
Here are some pictures for your viewing pleasure.
The rifle is all original except for the leather pump cup.
Fantastic patina!!
No serial number.
Only "USA" is on the cap shown.
If you need any more pictures, just leave me know.
Flagger
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Very nice gun Flagger.
Can you remove the stock and post close-up photos of both sides, from the trigger to the receiver?
20's models have a "bicycle pump".
Can you remove the stock and post close-up photos of both sides, from the trigger to the receiver?
20's models have a "bicycle pump".
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Now I'll do the assuming...lol.
All that's left aside from a rebuild is bluing the gun which you might be able to do yourself?
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Does it have "AIR HOLE DONT OIL" at the air intake hole? The hole is located under the lever.
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Yes, it does have the "AIR HOLE DON'T OIL" hole.
And when you were a kid, you always put oil in the "AIR HOLE DON'T OIL" hole just to see what would happen!!
And when you were a kid, you always put oil in the "AIR HOLE DON'T OIL" hole just to see what would happen!!
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Could you please tell me how you came up with that date? What research method do you use? I did some internet searching and could not pin down a manufacture date. As stated, there is no serial number anywhere. I would like to know for future research on other air guns.
Thanks!
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You know the old saying; it's worth what a buyer is willing to pay.
You might pay a visit to eBay and plug in vintage Benjamin airguns/ rifles. Once there, scroll down on the left side of the page and click on "Sold". This will give you an idea of what people are paying. While there, look at the condition of the guns sold and see which ones match up to yours. Keep in mind sellers take a pretty big hit from eBay.
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He apparently has a copy of Bejamin production change dates.
Usually, you'll have two dates that will focus you down to a production date. Yours has "Air hole don't oil", which is likekly on the production changes list for beginning in mid to late 41.
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With what many of us did to these early guns when we were kids it's amazing that any of them survived. 
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Some were used only a couple of times by the original owner, then hidden in the attic for the grandkids to find.
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By amassing a large database of factory paperwork, guns, photographs and also consulting with other Benjamin collectors/enthusiasts. Dozens (possibly over a hundred) Benjamins in my personal collection have been disassembled, the internal and external changes documented, and then cross referenced with paperwork to come up with dates of manufacture.
FWIW_ I don't believe that the Benjamin serial number database on the Crosman website came from factory records.
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