I just acquired a Benjamin Model 87 with Benjamin soft side carry case. It looks like all of the Model 87's that are pictured and described on internet websites except for the serial number. The Blue Book of Airguns and the websites say that they should have a special serial number starting with 00 and then xxxx. Mine is numbered 2200xx. Is it real or not? Also, does anyone know where i can find an Owners Manual for it? Thanks
Its probably real but without some pics its hard to tell. They made a number of proofs of this rifle trying to get it right. Issues with the stocks, the gold plating, etc amounted to cost overruns. I would imagine there were more than a few that were pieced together by workers there, carried home in lunch boxes.
Most were .22 cal although I've heard of .177 and .20 but never seen any of those. They were to produce 2 for every county in the US about 5200 at the time. I suspect there were way less made. I know of one store in Racine WI that had almost 20 of them. I had serial # 000189 I think. Sold it several years ago.
Post some pics of the stock, engraving on the metal, the Centennial emblem and wood grain and I'll tell you if it looks legit. No idea on where to get a manual.
Thx! That is my write up in Garvins post where it starts, "My friend owned a sporting goods store in Racine WI .....
I've forgotten more than I know about the rifle including my serial # - 178! These were NOT polished brass - they were electro plated. A Sheridan commemorative looks like crap compared to one of these. The wood was gorgeous - mine is pictured on the violet colored picnic table. The grain matches from butt stock to forearm - obviously one piece. Metal shines like glass and must have a clearcoat. Williams peep and real recoil pad fitted properly. Whoever said it wasn't worth it back in 1997 never handled the gun or appreciated the workmanship. I've had nickle 397 guns and Sheridan Commemorative guns. The Centennial leaves those in the dust. That's why they were going for $600 - $700 back when I sold mine. Not sure what they might go for now. They're rare as hens teeth it seems.
I just acquired a Benjamin Model 87 with Benjamin soft side carry case. It looks like all of the Model 87's that are pictured and described on internet websites except for the serial number. The Blue Book of Airguns and the websites say that they should have a special serial number starting with 00 and then xxxx. Mine is numbered 2200xx. Is it real or not? Also, does anyone know where i can find an Owners Manual for it? Thanks
I'm not sure where you can find a owners manual although if you'd like I can photograph the pages in mine and post them?
By the way, I am trying to log serial numbers for the Model 87 and your's is by far the highest number. Can you post photos of your gun including a closeup of the serial number?
@o7shelby Hi Marty, First off, pictures of your manual would be greatly appreciated. Secondly, mine has all the bells and whistles that the many pictures show, so I'd say it is definitely a Benjamin Model 87. Also, it is a 177 cal. That is all i wish to disclose at this time for privacy reasons. Thanks, Ron
@o7shelby Hi Marty, First off, pictures of your manual would be greatly appreciated. Secondly, mine has all the bells and whistles that the many pictures show, so I'd say it is definitely a Benjamin Model 87. Also, it is a 177 cal. That is all i wish to disclose at this time for privacy reasons. Thanks, Ron
Okay, then can you double check your serial number because I believe you have it backwards? You stated 2200xx? Shouldn't it be 000022? Here's why; I have two other documented .177 cals one of which is mine and these serial numbers are 000010 and 000017 which leads me to believe .177 cals went into production first.
I am in the early stages of gathering information with the hope of an eventual registry for the Model 87 and was quite pleased to be alerted to this conversation. Having said that if there is anyone here who owns or owned a Model 87 I would like to request photos of the gun in particular a closeup showing the serial number and caliber. If for some reason you choose not to make this information public another option would be to email me (vsotero78@yahoo.com) photos of the gun for verification. You know what some say; 'without photos it never happened'.
Here is a link at AVA for those who choose to post the photos and information directly. If you'd rather send me the photos I would be happy to post the information/ photos for you.
2 of my friends have a .22 caliber. We bought them at the same time so I know they are close to my old guns #178 serial. I will get the numbers for you. They are both .22 cal.
2 of my friends have a .22 caliber. We bought them at the same time so I know they are close to my old guns #178 serial. I will get the numbers for you. They are both .22 cal.
That would be great! All I need is one photo of each of the 3 guns showing the serial number and calibre like the photo below.
Just to clarify; I have been researching these guns for several years and have never seen a "seconds" gun. As far as I am concerned, they are a very rare collectible that anyone would be proud to own.
Just to clarify; I have been researching these guns for several years and have never seen a "seconds" gun. As far as I am concerned, they are a very rare collectible that anyone would be proud to own.
I think Sheridan spent a lot of time getting these perfect and as a result, there were a lot of initial runs where the plating wasn't right or the roll press didn't get the lettering right or the stocks weren't up to snuff. The folks working at the plant on Sheridan Road probably never worked on such an elaborate gun. I'm sure a number of scrapped pieces were never scrapped and made it home in order to be assembled to other scrapped pieces. I think that accounts for some of the odd or no serial numbers. A legit rifle should at least have the soft case even at this point.
Back in the early 2000s I wrote to Sheridan and asked about production numbers. They were vague in their answer but they did allude to QC problems. I recall their total production estimate somewhere between 1200 - 1500 guns but I never tried to verify that. There may in fact have been a lot less.
I agree Bill. To take that a step further, here is a receipt and a memo that came with one of my guns from the original owner. The total production is stated at 500 total. I am not sure who "Stacey" is but it does appear credible. This number does not appear out the realm of possibilities when one considers the number of guns set aside due to quality control issues and back door sales.
Although I am in the infant stages of this research, the highest number to date is a .22 cal numbered 618. Point being; all guns had serial numbers and the proper nomenclature prior to the plating process. So imagine the number of guns that were discarded from 000001 – 000618? Perhaps the number is even lower than 500? Unfortunately there are too many variables at play to get a definitive number but I intend to keep plugging away if for no other reason than to find the highest .22 number and the highest .177 number, and log as many others as possible.
