Benjamin Benjamin Sheridan 397PA serial number one?!?

[PaulK62]

A question for the Benjamin Sheridan experts: A friend of mine recently purchased a 397PA with serial number 497000001. It's my understanding that in 1994 the 39x line began receiving 9-digit serial numbers, and that the first three digits represented the date of manufacture. My question is, was the date code written backwards like the older Sheridan Blue Streaks, meaning his gun is number 1 of the new 9-digit serial numbers and made in July of '94?

 

[jccams]

I was under the impression it was month/year, April 97.

 

[Bear-of-Grayling]

Interesting model. The last year of “Benjamin Sheridan” 392PA /397PA was 1996. The date on that one is April 1997. Does it say Benjamin Sheridan or Crosman on the front the warning label? Crosman was using spare parts from the move from Wisconsin to NY. This could be a transition gun. Borrowed picture.

 

[Bear-of-Grayling]

The number might indicate the month/year and first one after dropping the Benjamin Sheridan name from the line. I’m quite certain it will still be labeled Benjamin Sheridan. Most earilier 1997’s are.

 

[PaulK62]

I was under the impression it was month/year, April 97.

That, of course, is the other possibility. I'm wondering if anyone knows definitively since the older Sheridans did the month/year backwards.

 

[PaulK62]

Interesting model. The last year of “Benjamin Sheridan” 392PA /397PA was 1996. The date on that one is April 1997. Does it say Benjamin Sheridan or Crosman on the front the warning label?

Unfortunately, I don't have photos of the entire gun, and it's still in transit to my friend's house. Muddying the waters even further, here's a photo of the box it came in, which has a completely different looking forearm. Obviously, the box says Benjamin Sheridan, but is the box original?

 

[PaulK62]

The plot thickens: I just called Tyler Hull @ Connecticut Airguns, the seller of the gun to my friend. He's still in possession pending payment, so he took a look at it and confirmed it is stamped Benjamin Sheridan, and the address on the gun is Bloomfield NY.

Now, this is where things get strange. Tyler has two more from the same source, in the box and factory sealed. He cracked them open, and they are both 397PA guns, both have the same Centennial '87-style finish & Williams Diopter, and -- drumroll, please -- they both have the exact same serial number as the gun above: 497000001. The person whom he got them from said something about them being factory employee guns. Maybe Crosman assembled some guns from old parts to gift some of their employees.

 

[Bear-of-Grayling]

Sounds exactly correct. They were utilizing old stock parts. All three guns may have slight variations.

 

[PaulK62]

Sounds exactly correct. They were utilizing old stock parts. All three guns may have slight variations.

Do you think that makes them more desirable, less desirable, or is it completely inconsequential?

 

[Bear-of-Grayling]

To collectors of the variants, probably more desirable. I would think having 2 or 3 with the same serial number adds to its uniqueness. One alone doesn’t prove the story.

 

[PaulK62]

Thanks!

 

[jccams]

Here's another example, mismatched parts, no serial number. The forearm appears to be beech instead of walnut also.

 

[Wadcutter]

That's an interesting serial number(s)
Here are some facts about what should be expected on a 497 dated 397PA.
It should be stamped E. Bloomfield, NY - as stated above.
The .177 caliber production guns were available in black or nickel plated finishes only.
They still had the stamped steel triggers and guards.
They have the cartridge valves.
The grey and black box is correct for that year.

_More facts to consider_
There were no factory polished brass Sheridans till mid 1998 and the Benjamin 39XPA guns didn't get the longer stepped pump handle till the year 2000.
So, there are at least two characteristics of the gun that do not fit the norm. Because there seems to be three of these makes me wonder if they are indeed some sort of employee gifts or perhaps trial runs for the Sheridan PB models. Just used Benjamin tubes instead.

 

[.20calguy]

The plot thickens: I just called Tyler Hull @ Connecticut Airguns, the seller of the gun to my friend. He's still in possession pending payment, so he took a look at it and confirmed it is stamped Benjamin Sheridan, and the address on the gun is Bloomfield NY.

Now, this is where things get strange. Tyler has two more from the same source, in the box and factory sealed. He cracked them open, and they are both 397PA guns, both have the same Centennial '87-style finish & Williams Diopter, and -- drumroll, please -- they both have the exact same serial number as the gun above: 497000001. The person whom he got them from said something about them being factory employee guns. Maybe Crosman assembled some guns from old parts to gift some of their employees.

If that were so, it seems they would have been better taken care of and still in their possession?

 

[PaulK62]

If that were so, it seems they would have been better taken care of and still in their possession?

Well, the impression I got from Tyler was that the guy who sold them to him was a former Crosman employee. He must have shot the one that my friend bought, hence the scuffs on the metalwork. However, the others were still sealed in unopened boxes, so perhaps he obtained two spanking new guns that weren't gifted to anyone.

Why didn't he keep possession? Why do any of us sell beautiful and rare airguns only to regret it later?

 

[Airgun-Revisions]

The 397pa with this serial number is in fact a centennial version made for employees.

Currently certain employees are being let go due to the merger. Some have product to sell that’s just laying around and they don’t want. I know this personally. I was approached from several to purchase guns. Not to mention Crosman is cleaning out right now.
The first 397pa plated gun resides in the morgue at Crosman and will not see the public eye. I’ve personally held the gun it in the morgue. I’ve even seen a gold plated Sheridan that was obtained from Sheridan.

Employee guns are common with anniversary guns. There’s even employee 362 anniversary guns.

Here’s a current hat only given to employees at Crosman for the 100th

 

[Wadcutter]

The 397pa with this serial number is in fact a centennial version made for employees.

Currently certain employees are being let go due to the merger. Some have product to sell that’s just laying around and they don’t want. I know this personally. I was approached from several to purchase guns. Not to mention Crosman is cleaning out right now.
The first 397pa plated gun resides in the morgue at Crosman and will not see the public eye. I’ve personally held the gun it in the morgue. I’ve even seen a gold plated Sheridan that was obtained from Sheridan.

Employee guns are common with anniversary guns. There’s even employee 362 anniversary guns.

Here’s a current hat only given to employees at Crosman for the 100th

View attachment 518044

You state "centennial version made for employees. How is that?, The tubes are stamped 497000001, which would be April 1997. Benjamin (wrongly) celebrated 100yrs with their Centennial rifle ten years prior in 1987. Crosman (also wrongly) just recently celebrated their 100yrs last year in 2023.
So what year do you think these polished rifles were handed out to employees?

 

[Airgun-Revisions]

You state "centennial version made for employees. How is that?, The tubes are stamped 497000001, which would be April 1997. Benjamin (wrongly) celebrated 100yrs with their Centennial rifle ten years prior in 1987. Crosman (also wrongly) just recently celebrated their 100yrs last year in 2023.
So what year do you think these polished rifles were handed out to employees?

Sorry, thought you had a centennial. But the same applies. They are employee guns

 

[Silver Ace]

I have a Benjamin G392 (with Racine,WI address) with serial number
D94705236.

I bought this gun new in 1995, so I assume the build date is 1994. Perhaps July 1994. Not sure what the “D” in the serial number means.

 

[Wadcutter]

I have a Benjamin G392 (with Racine,WI address) with serial number
D94705236.

I bought this gun new in 1995, so I assume the build date is 1994. Perhaps July 1994. Not sure what the “D” in the serial number means.


View attachment 518196

Nice gun, "D" is for December