The early production (1952) model 250 pistol also has a solid cast rear sight. It is placed here because they all have early cast rear sights instead of the stamped steel which came on the scene sometime in 1953. Intro- The rifles that have smooth handles with pins must have a start production date. Photo examples of grooved pump handle rifles held with screws and one-piece bolts. The 1958 parts schematic states one-piece flow thru bolt was used since 1951.Ģ. Air intake hole stamped "Air Hole Do Not Oil"ġ. Model 310, 312, 317_ One piece hollow(flow thru) bolt probe, Flat top rubber Hy-car pump seal, screws securing pump handle, screws in muzzle plug, lever hinge pin lock screw on right side, Rear V sights adjustable for windage only, button style safety, "BENJAMIN FRANKLIN" “MADE IN U.S.A.” stamped on left rear of tube. However, it is not proof that the smoothies did not begin production sometime in ’51. For the sake of keeping this chronology uncluttered, we will assume Smooth pump handle model production began in 1952 for now. Intro- There exist early grooved pump handle rifles with one-piece bolts (1951) that fit the description below. First mention of “improved with Hy-car piston” in the 1950 Benjamin Catalog. Photo examples of boxed rifle with flat-top Hy-car piston seal along with paperwork dated 7-1950. Models 312, 317_ Two piece solid end bolt probe, New flat top rubber Hy-car pump seal used, screws securing pump handle, screws in muzzle plug, lever hinge pin lock screw on right side, Rear V sights adjustable for windage only, button style safety, "BENJAMIN FRANKLIN" “MADE IN U.S.A.” stamped on left rear of tube. Air intake hole stamped "Air Hole Do Not Oil" Model 310_ Two piece hollow(flow thru) bolt probe, New flat top rubber Hy-car pump seal used, screws securing pump handle, screws in muzzle plug, lever hinge pin lock screw on right side, Rear V sights adjustable for windage only, button style safety, "BENJAMIN FRANKLIN" “MADE IN U.S.A.” stamped on left rear of tube. Intro- The ’50 data is pretty solid and should serve as a corner post for the years following. This chronology is a combination of gathered information along with some guesswork, but have pointed out some of the facts that led to the rationale behind the thought. The underlined parts show changes specific to that year. First posted on the American Vintage Airguns forum.īelow is the most recent layout of years 1950-1958 only.