Another Vintage Crosman 101 Back in Working Order

[c801tfd]

This is my winter project #2 which is taking shape.

I got this Early (1925-1929)

Straight Logo Crosman 101 couple of weeks ago off of the GB auction site, the great part is the seller only lived 3 or 4 miles from my house so there were no long delays for shipping, I had it in hand by 11 am the next day. 

Overall it was in nice condition appearance wise ( metal has been painted at some point) and it would not hold air not even after an alcohol flush, so I tore it down and discovered a mix and match group of internal parts from early and late versions of the 101 and an updated pump cup, so someone tried to seal this one and make it work but had no success. Tonight I dug into my small stash of parts and came up with the needed period correct parts for the early version, changed all seals to new fresh ones and even installed a new pump cup, now it fires like new and with lots of authority at 6 pumps. 

Now that I know it works mechanically I will tear it down again and touch up the wood, clean up the paint on action and compression tube as well. Tonight I cleaned off the paint that covered the blued and rifled barrel that this one and it’s sister have in common.According to records the steel rifle barrels were supplied by Remington for a short time in the 1920’s. 

Currently it sports a Tasco scope I had laying around which is mounted on an inter mount Mac1 sells for the Crosman 101, 113, 114 and a couple others. I also installed a period correct cocking knob as it came with the later 5 ring version, and installed the correct tombstone peep sight as well due to someone making aV-notch out of the other one.

Looking forward to velocity and accuracy tests this weekend.

 

[holo07]

Looks great , I love the old metal and wood pumpers. They make great little woods walking guns.

 

[biohazardman]

Nice rifle that is. Sounds like you know yer way around those old 101 guns. I have one that has been in pieces for decades now. Took it apart to refinish it and try to get some play out of the front barrel band. It's now one of several guns that are just basket cases now. Hope to remedy that someday but more often than not these days I make the slackers look like over-achievers.

 

[Ripper]

I have one also that somebody made a V notch on the tombstone Peepsight.Couldn’t complain though because the gun is in excellent shape and works good. I’m thinking about making a new peep sight out of a piece of sheet metal.

 

[c801tfd]

Holo7, 



Thank you, I must say the 101 is a favorite of mine and I sure wish they still made them, if they ever did a retro release I would be one of the first in line. Maybe Crosman should consider releasing a commemorative edition in tribute to the upcoming 100th anniversary of the design, that would be nice as piece to own. 

 

[c801tfd]

Biohazardman, 



I know what you mean, I find the 101 fascinating for many reasons but most of all how easy they are to work on I have the whole process of tearing down, cleaning and resealing and reassembly down to just under an hour. As for extensive work time varies, yours is a nice looking late version with great looking maple forearm and butt stock, seems you have a modified peep sight, and correct 5-ring cocking knob. Seems people liked to modify the late version 101 peep sight as the gentleman I got mine from made one as well, he called it a ghost sight. 


Are the hole on the front of the tube wobbled out or do you think the pot metal front sight/cap may be broken or cracked. I really like bringing these rifles back to life.

 

[c801tfd]

Ripper, 



The V notch worked for me as well, I only put a Tombstone one back on this one because I finally located one and wanted to see what it looked like, honestly I think the v-notch works better. I put a scope on this one as well and will be moving farther back once I take the peep sight assembly off and bag it for safe keeping.

 

[Will Dough]

Holo7,



Thank you, I must say the 101 is a favorite of mine and I sure wish they still made them, if they ever did a retro release I would be one of the first in line. Maybe Crosman should consider releasing a commemorative edition in tribute to the upcoming 100th anniversary of the design, that would be nice as piece to own.

I know this is an old thread, but I agree that Crosman should have revamped the 101 for the hundred year anniversary. In my opinion, the 101 is the best multipump that Crosman has ever made, plus it was their flagship model from a hundred years ago.

 

[Bandito]

Sweet stuff. I haven't had one in my hands but would like to own one that is operable. Be Well Brothers, Bandito.