Benjamin Benjamin Franklin 347

[EmersonWaved]

Hey all, I recently acquired this Benjamin Franklin 347 pneumatic airgun!

I got it for $100 at a local swapmeet and it worked so thought why not.

Can anyone tell me about these?
He had another airgun from a different manufacturer but was near the same, had a manual too, in .20 while this was .177

The front sight/barrel is brass, few missing screws but still usable rear sight and front (front was slightly crooked so I bent it gently to as best of center as I could). Not sure if the seals are still okay? It only pumps 3 times and beyond that I can’t pump it anymore

Would love to fix her up some day, some real wood along with my crosman american classic, and Beeman r9

 

[Sawney Bean]

Almost the entire gun is brass and you'll often find older ones that have had the finish removed and have been polished. You can find clamp on scope mounts, but you want to be careful using them as they can sometimes cause the barrel to separate from the pump tube. There are Williams peep sights available too, but I'm not sure if they work on that particular model or not.

It should be able to be pumped up more than three pumps. I believe 10 is the recommended maximum.

 

[Sawney Bean]

The other gun he had was a Sheridan. You should have snatched it up. They're considered to be a bit better than the Benjamin's.

 

[Arzrover]

It's a great rifle and parts are still available from guys like Rick Wilnecker in the east US and Mike Baker here in the west.
The later 397 went to a lawyer trigger and valve module rather than soldered in valve shell but the rest was mostly the same. Properly rebuilt, it can go for decades without worry and the only maintenance required is a little lube on the pump assembly now and then and cleaning the dust off.
If you need contact info, I can help or the search function will help also.
Note that Mike Baker is NOT Baker Airguns...
Bob

 

[EmersonWaved]

The other gun he had was a Sheridan. You should have snatched it up. They're considered to be a bit better than the Benjamin's.

Damn… I hope he comes abck and still has it

 

[EmersonWaved]

It's a great rifle and parts are still available from guys like Rick Wilnecker in the east US and Mike Baker here in the west.
The later 397 went to a lawyer trigger and valve module rather than soldered in valve shell but the rest was mostly the same. Properly rebuilt, it can go for decades without worry and the only maintenance required is a little lube on the pump assembly now and then and cleaning the dust off.
If you need contact info, I can help or the search function will help also.
Note that Mike Baker is NOT Baker Airguns...
Bob

Id gladly appreciate the contact! It seems maybe the seals are bad as I just cannot get it to pump lore than three times without struggle

 

[Sicumj]

You have something mechanical binding if it will not pump over three times. I would pull the pump mechanism out and check it. My guess is one of the linkage ribits is bad and the extra force it takes to pump four pumps is causing it to bind to the linkage or something similar.

 

[EmersonWaved]

You have something mechanical binding if it will not pump over three times. I would pull the pump mechanism out and check it. My guess is one of the linkage ribits is bad and the extra force it takes to pump four pumps is causing it to bind to the linkage or something similar.

With the power of my man purse, and some oil, I can pump it to 10!

However its like a modern crosman american classic 1377, requires some force to get to that 10 pumps

Ill check the rivets and post images of the progress

 

[Wadcutter]

In 1990 they changed the bolt style, so yours is one of the last 34X guns made.

 

[EmersonWaved]

In 1990 they changed the bolt style, so yours is one of the last 34X guns made.

Wow, now I wish I bought the blue sheridan to match with this.

It is quite accurate I must say at 25 yards with Crosman pointed!

I can pump it to 10, i was just being a wuss

 

[EmersonWaved]

Also never mind, the seals leak now (i can hear a clear hisss)

Seems i will need to do that, as well as a couple screws for the rear sight post

I love these pump pneumatic airguns however. Bought a crosman 1377, and may look at the 2100 classic (as soon as I can differentiate the 2100b and 2100 classic? Seems theres different names on different sites)

I hope I can restore this gun to its former glory

 

[Sicumj]

Try this link. They get in parts all the time. WWW.JGAirguns.com You will need a valve removal tool and a valve and seal kit.

 

[EmersonWaved]

Try this link. They get in parts all the time. WWW.JGAirguns.com You will need a valve removal tool and a valve and seal kit.

Thanks brother! I love this thing and it works outside of the slight hiss which indicates the seal on the piston/deeper within may be leaking. Trying an alcohol flush and or 3in1 to lubricate seal to sorta bring some life to it again

 

[Sicumj]

Thanks brother! I love this thing and it works outside of the slight hiss which indicates the seal on the piston/deeper within may be leaking. Trying an alcohol flush and or 3in1 to lubricate seal to sorta bring some life to it again

That might do it. Cock it once and see if it quits. You have to shot it clean. So you ad the fluid, let it set, then shoot it clean. Shoot it 10 times. If it still leaks cocked, get a new valve.

 

[EmersonWaved]

That might do it. Cock it once and see if it quits. You have to shot it clean. So you ad the fluid, let it set, then shoot it clean. Shoot it 10 times. If it still leaks cocked, get a new valve.

It works! I just lifted the pistol and lubed the inside, pumped and cocked it, then left it over night

I also picked up a sheridian .177 they had and a 1100 trapmaster!! Need some repairs but they still work and function!

 

[EmersonWaved]

The other gun he had was a Sheridan. You should have snatched it up. They're considered to be a bit better than the Benjamin's.

I got it, someone else had another one but… the poor thing outta just rest

 

[Sawney Bean]

Good job. That Crosman 1100 there is also a score. You’re quickly getting all of the classic American airguns.