Benjamin Model 130 “Benjamin Franklin” Restoration

Hi there, I’m new to these forums and I’m just looking for some help on restoring my Model 130 Benjamin air pump pistol. This thing is rough, the leather seal is completely rotted out and I couldn’t get any compression by oiling it. The internals are probably fine, but I need to know how to get into this thing so I can replace the seals. I’ve only been able to free one flathead screw (the one on the front “cap”) but the others are stuck right and if I keep trying them they’re gonna strip out. I’ve tried almost every method to get the front pin out that retains the pump linkage but no luck there. It’s stuck tight..

Anybody got some tips on how to fix this gun? I don’t want to break anything or make it worse than it is, I just want to make a good little can shooter out of it. I was able to fix my early 1900s Crossman pump rifle with some simple oil and a cleaning.. I don’t know why this thing has been such a pain.

Thank you for any help!

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"I don’t know why this thing has been such a pain."

Might have something to do with it being 80 years old. Have you ever been a care-giver, Power Of Attorney, Executor, or all the above for an octogenarian? They can be more than a little obstinate🤬. Ask how I know.

Especially if left very long locked in a leaky barn.:ROFLMAO:

From my first book, The Manic Compressive (copyright 1998)-

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