Sheridan: The end of an era

• Sheridan Blue Streak Serial Numbers
• Sheridan C Series Air Rifle
• Sheridan C Series 5mm Serial Numbers

Benjamin Sheridan Rebuild Repair Kit, Some Pre-1995 Multi-Pumps with Soldered Valve. Valve Tool only available here. Repair kit fits these multi-pump guns made before 1995 (they have a soldered valve): Benjamin 397, 392, 340, 342 & 347 guns as well as Sheridan C9 (Silver Streak) & CB9 (Blue Streak). A section on 'Other Sheridan Products' references the 'Super Grade' and 'Sporter'. I believe this manual is circa 1949-1951. The creation of the CB led to the update of the manual to reference both the Silver and Blue Streak models. The 'Other Sheridan Products' section cites the 'Super Grade', but the 'Sporter' is no longer mentioned. Benjamin and Sheridan Air Rifles; Benjamin and Sheridan Air Rifles. Follow New articles New articles and comments. 32001 Owner's Manual & EVP (2013) 32003 Owner's Manual & EVP (2013) 32040 Owner's Manual & EVP (2013-Present) 32091 Owner's Manual & EVP (2013) 33005 Owner's Manual & EVP (2013).

Jul 10, 2020 Reseal Kit for Sheridan C Blue Streak & Silver Streak - Works for ALL Sheridan C Blue & Silver Streak Airguns Regardless of Age. This is not a cheap 'O-Ring' kit. If your airgun leaks CO2, air, or isn't shooting as hard as it should our reseal kits will get them shooting good again when properly installed. Sheridan C Seal Kits. This seal kit contains the seals to repair any Sheridan Blue Streak or Silver Streak. Sheridan Streak air guns contain all required parts needed to reseal this airgun, plus exploded drawing and tube of oil. Optional Valve Tool helps to remove the valve guide without damage.

by Tim Smith

While looking at Crosman’s 2013 airgun catalog, I discovered that something was missing. There was no
mention of the Sheridan Blue Streak. Hoping this was just an omission. I contacted Crosman and learned that the Sheridan line is being discontinued in 2013.

Once the disbelief passed, I ordered a Blue Streak so I could own one of the last in the fine line of Sheridan’s. But simply ordering a Blue Streak was not enough. I asked Laura Evans, Marketing Coordinator at Crosman for a very special favor. My request was to have the person who built my Blue
Streak, autograph the box.

A few days later I contacted Chip Hunnicutt, Web & Social Media Manager at Crosman to get his thoughts on Airgun Hobbyist Magazine doing a tribute to the Sheridan and also to immortalize the employees who build the airguns, right here is in the USA. Chip’s response was “That’s a great request.” During a tour of the Crosman facility last year, I had the privilege to meet the people who build these wonderful
airguns. However, I didn’t take photos in the assembly area. Upon my request, Chip was able to provide me with numerous photos used in this article.

A brief chronology of Sheridan airguns follows. The Sheridan airgun company was founded in 1945 in Racine Wisconsin by Ed Wackenhagen and Bob Kraus. Their goal was to make the finest American made pneumatic air rifles. In 1947 they introduced the Model A “Super Grade”. The material used in the Model A were of the highest quality, this included bronze alloy chosen for its superior properties. Followed by the Model B “Sporter” in 1948 to 1951. It is believed that Crosman designed the model 108, Town and
Country to compete with Sheridan’s model A and B.

In 1949, the Model C “Silver Streak was introduced with a design to better compete in the airgun market. The Silver Streaks were nickel plated and featured a hold down thumb safety. The Model CB “Blue Streak” made its first appearance in 1952. The Blue Streak was identical to the Silver Streak, except that it had a blue ebonol-c finish. 2012 marked the 60 anniversary of the Blue Streak name.

Sheridan Model E/EB/ED the CO2 powered pistol started production in 1977 . The Model H/HB pumper pistol started production in 1982. Both the EB and HB are still being produced, however they are not in the latest Crosman catalog either.

Sheridan Model F and FB CO2 powered rifles started production in 1975. The F was nickel finished, while the FB had a blue finish. A FW was also available with polished nickel and a Williams peep sight.

In 1977, the Benjamin Air Rifle Company bought Sheridan. Benjamin continued production of the C Series under the Sheridan name.

Sheridan Blue Streak Serial Numbers

In addition to the pellet guns, Sheridan also produced tranquilizer guns the Model “G” and paintball markers the Model “K2” and “KP2” in the 1980’s. As with the pellet guns, these are highly sought after by collectors today.

Crosman purchased the Benjamin Air Rifle Company in 1992 and continued to produce the C9 Series under the name of Benjamin/Sheridan. A few years back, Crosman discontinued the “Silver Streak” and this year, the “Blue Streak”.

Crosman will be discontinuing .20 caliber domed pellets (model #020DB). But the .20 caliber cylindrical (model #P50) will remain.

Great reference books for the Sheridan include “Sheridan – Classic American Air Rifles” by UJ Backus and
“Know Your Sheridan Rifles & Pistols” by Ron Elbe. As many owners of the Sheridan Air Rifle know that
these airguns last. Their owners have had them since they were little and even though there are other options out there, this is their go to airgun. Many owners look at their air rifle with the fond memories of childhood in their eyes. It is worth more to them then the book value says they will ever be.

In the next few pages, you’ll get to see the people, parts, equipment used to build the last of the Sheridan line.

Sheridan C Series Air Rifle

“I wanted a Sheridan as a kid, but couldn’t afford one.
So, when I returned from Germany in 1978, I bought a Blue
Streak that I still have. I taught my wife, Edith, to shoot it
and she killed many rats and mice around our house. That
rifle is the “go-to” airgun in the Gaylord household.
– Tom Gaylord”

“It is because of the quality and workmanship of the
Sheridan’s past that the name will live on.
– UJ Backus”

“I still have the Blue Streak I purchased in 1968.
I haven’t fired it in over 30 years! Yes, your article on
Sheridan is on target. I just might buy another before they
are all gone. Sheridan air rifles are true classics among
airguns and deserve lots of recognition for their solid
performance and quality.
– Jess Galan”

“When I was about a dozen years of age, the newly introduced Sheridan Blue Streak was being advertised in numerous outdoor magazines. An airgun that had the power and accuracy described in those ads was tantalizing but unaffordable. Growing up in a remote area, I could imagine myself roaming the woods with “the aristocrat of air rifles.” I had an airgun, but I wanted a Sheridan. I am pleased to say that I now have several and if I could have only one airgun, it would be a Sheridan.
– James E. House”

“For over half a century, the Sheridan airgun name
has evoked a prestigious sense of pride for the seasoned
airgunner. To own a Sheridan meant that you knew your
airguns, and would not be fully satisfied with anything less.
– Larry Hannusch”

“As a kid, I coveted one of those multi-pump
powerhouses. But alas, all of that brass and walnut and
steel construction made their cost out of my reach and kept
me from owning one until adulthood. There may have been
other models that came before the Sheridan, but it was
sleek and sophisticated. The fact that it was accurate and
hard-hitting was just icing on the cake. I know things must
change and corporate decisions are predicated on market
research and so forth, still, it is sad to see the brand fade
away and I’m sorry to hear the Sheridan line is no more.
– Gordon D. Smith”

“Some people collect autographs from musicians or sports stars. I collect autographs from peoplein the airgun industry. I can’t express exactly what it means to own one of the last Sheridan’s in a autographed box and to know the name and face of the person who built it.
– Tim Smith”

“In ‘building a better mouse-trap’ we have
endeavored to produce a more versatile and usable link—
one combining high performance with low-cost shooting—
between the boy’s type air rifle, and the comparatively high
powered cartridge-type fire arms. Each has their respective
field which they are efficiently filling to the benefit of the
shooting fraternity. We feel that the Sheridan Pneumatic
carries on in the same tradition, meeting a want of many
shooters, and of many classes of shooters, from experienced
riflemen, to the average sportsman who would like to have
a safe, practical small bore rifle in the family. We thus hope
that we, in a small way, are contributing something to the
rifle shooting game in general, and to your own particular
pleasure.
– Sheridan Hand Book”

Sheridan C Series 5mm Serial Numbers

Brass valves are assembled by hand.

“The article on the Sheridan looks good, but it saddens me.
For much of my life (since 1948) I have admired Sheridan air
guns. I really like the ones I have.
– James E. House”

“Any closely fitted mechanism, from a new engine to
a pneumatic rifle, is likely to be somewhat stiff in its action
until used. Moving parts such as the bolt, piston assembly,
trigger release, opening and closing of valves, etc., all
tend to “wear in” to permanent smooth relationship. It is
sound engineering to have tight fits that wear in, rather
than- loose fits that wear out.
– Sheridan Hand Book”

If you’ve purchased a Sheridan CB9, Benjamin 392, or Benjamin 397 in the past few years, chances are that these two people, Aaron Riojas and Cheryl Pragle were the people who built it. In this day and age, it’s nice to see that the airguns are not assembled by machines in some far off country, but instead built
by Americans in the state of New York.