Sheridan Products


Sheridan Products Inc. was an American air gun manufacturing company. It was purchased by the Benjamin Air Rifle Company in 1977, and later purchased by Crosman in 1994.

Company history

Sheridan Products Inc. was formed to produce Pneumatic Air Pellet Rifles with production beginning in March 1947. In the early 1940s Co-founder Ed Wackerhagen, dissatisfied with a pellet gun used by his son, set out to build one of the finest airguns in history. The design was to incorporate the philosophy: "performance is the sum total of many small functions who's combined result must spell 'Bulls-eye' It was to be called the Model A, also known as the Super Grade. This gun was to fill the gap between the "BB" gun and the.22. A successful prototype was produced in mid-1944, and in 1945 in partnership with I.R. "Bob" Kraus, Sheridan Products, Inc. was born in Racine, Wisconsin. The name Sheridan was reputedly in honor of the Civil War's General Philip Sheridan.
The Sheridan Model A "Super Grade" was introduced in 1947 and is considered one of the finest Air rifles ever produced. Unfortunately its high cost, translated to very slow sales. Within a year, it was decided that a cheaper model was needed, and in 1948 the Model B "Sporter" was born. Designed to be less expensive than the Model A, it had a MSRP of $35 when introduced. Apparently the price point of the Model B was still too high, and sales continue to be slow on both rifles, which was of great concern to the newly formed Sheridan Company. It was quickly realized that for the company to survive, a much cheaper to produce model must be designed. This philosophy gave rise to the last Sheridan model, the Model C "Streak" introduced in 1949. Its MSRP at introduction was $19.95 and was selling for $23.95 by 1950. This is the model that ushered Sheridan Products Inc. into profitability. The Model C Silver and Blue Streaks are the pellet rifles that Sheridan is primarily known for, since the Model A's and B's are relatively scarce. Sheridan manufactured the Model C Streaks for 27 years before being bought out by the Benjamin Air Rifle company in 1976 and ending the original run of Sheridan produce Streaks. Many small changes were made to the Streaks during its 27-year run, providing collectors many different varieties.
Sheridan was purchased by the Benjamin Air Rifle Company in 1977. That company was purchased by Crosman in 1994.

Products

All Sheridan air rifles Model A, B, and C are multi-pump, single shot, bolt action, breech-loading, and.20
Model A Total Production: 2130 Velocity: Variable to 700 fps. With a large cast and machined aluminum receiver, bronzed barrel and pump tube, walnut stock with Monte Carlo cheek-piece, ball-type valve mechanism, adjustable trigger, and peep sight. It weighed 5 pounds 14 ounces, stretched 37 inches overall, with a 20-inch barrel with one turn in 12 inches. MSRP $56.50.
Model B Total Production: 1051 Velocity: Variable to 700 fps Designed to be less expensive than the Model A Using the same gun, but without the cheek-piece, a revision of soldered ventilated rib type barrel, less expensive paint finish and various slight changes it was to be a cheaper alternative to the slow selling Model A. MSRP $35 when introduced, $42.50 when production stopped.
Model C Total Production: Unknown. Velocity: Variable to 700 fps. Designed to be less costly to produce than the Model A and the Model B. Although less costly to produce when compared to the Super and Sporter Grade, the Model C were still well constructed Airguns using quality materials. They utilized walnut stocks, aluminum receiver, bronze barrel and pump tube. A different valve mechanism was used in the Model C than in the previous Model A and B. It was dubbed the "Streaks" with the Silver Streak being first with its Nickel finish, followed by Blue Streak in a black oxide finish in 1952. The only difference between the two Streaks is the finish. MSRP 19.95 at introduction and was soon selling for $23.95.
Sheridan Products Inc was acquired by its competitor, the Benjamin Air Rifle Company in 1977, thus ending the original line of Sheridan Model C's in 1976.*
*
Model F Total Production: Unknown. Velocity: Approx. 500fps. 5mm or.20 caliber, single shot, bolt action.
Though very similar to the Model C, the Model F is powered via CO2. With a Walnut stock and rocker-type thumb safety, this airgun is a great collector's rifle, known for its accuracy. As previously noted, in 1977 Sheridan Products Inc. was acquired by the Benjamin Air Rifle Co., also ending line of original Sheridan Model F's in 1976.
For help in dating your model, find the Serial number on the barrel. Then utilize the Benjamin & Sheridan Product Dates of Manufacture charts found at: http://www.crosman.com/discover/crosman/benjamin-product-dates
Dating a Vintage Sheridan Model C 1949 - 1976
Date stamps on 1964 to 1971 and serial numbers on 1972- 1985 easily pinpoint manufacture dates for these years. This change chronology is most useful for identifying approximate manufacture dates for Model C "Streaks" produced from 1949 to 1963, the "Thumb Safety" version of the Model C Streaks.
1949 - First production Silver Streak Introduced.
• Slab sided stock
• Rear sights are aperture style
• Tube stamped "SHERIDAN PRODUCTS INC. ---RACINE WIS--- on right side
• Forearm attached with screws
• Knurled windage adjustment for rear sight
• Straight end Butt stock
• Rear sight soldered on to barrel
• High Comb stock
• Slim trigger guard attached with two screws.
• Forearm is slim style
• Straight bolt arm
• Hold-down thumb safety
• Sculpted front blade sight
• Grooved receiver
• Pump Tube stamped "SILVER STREAK" on left side.
1950 - One change
• Slab sided stock discontinued.
1951 - Three changes
• Patridge rear sight introduced.
• Hole on right side receiver
• Made in USA stamped on Receiver
1952 - Three changes
• Blue Streak model introduced
• Forearm attached with roll pins..
• "Made in USA" now stamped on Pump tube on right side after RACINE, WIS. instead of Receiver.
1953 - One change
• Knurled Windage knobs discontinued
1954 - No changes
1955 - One change
• Crescent butt stock replaces straight butt stock.
1956 - Two changes
• Rear sight now attached with set screw and two dimples, and is no longer soldered to barrel.
• Hole on right side of receiver removed
1957 - No changes
1958 - No changes
1959 - One change
• Introduce lower comb on Stock.
1960 - Three changes
• Trigger guard now wider and attached with Rivet and one screw.
• Introduce new stamped lettering on pump tube "5 M/M CAL" now stamped on left side of Tube.
• Blue Streak models now have "BLUE STREAK" stamped on the pump tube.
1961 - Three changes
• Introduce larger "Beaver tail" style Forearm.
• Change from straight bolt to curved bolt handle with hole on ball-end and pinned to Bolt.
• Rear Sight now attached with 2 set screws.
1962 - One change
• Hand Guard introduced
1963 - One change
• Rocker Safety introduced.
1964 - Two changes
• Inspection dates now stamped on the left side of the receiver.
• Front sight changed to a large forward serrated ramp style 1964 - 1977)
1965 - No changes
1966 - No changes
1967 - One change
• Trigger guard now attached by two rivets
1968 - Two change
• Grooves removed from the Receiver.
• Curved bolt handle now welded to bolt.
1969 - No changes
1970 - No changes
1971 - Two changes
• Left-handed version introduced
• Rear sight now clip-on attachment.
1972 - Two changes
• Stamped Serial numbers introduced.
• Hole in bolt handle made shallow
1973 - No changes. Serial numbers
1974 - No changes. Serial numbers
1975 - One change. Serial numbers
• Hole in bolt handle eliminated.
1976 - No changes. Serial numbers
Last year of the Original Sheridan Products Inc. produced Streaks, before being purchased by its competitor the Benjamin company.
BENJAMIN / SHERIDAN
1977 - Two changes. Serial numbers - First year of the Benjamin/Sheridan Streaks.
• "C SERIES" now stamped on left side of tube.
• Barrel now extends over muzzle cap.
1978 - Two changes. Serial numbers
• Introduce short ramp front sight.
• Round top receiver.
1979 - Two changes. Serial numbers -
• Introduce "AIR HOLE DO NOT OIL" stamped on bottom of tube.
• Double sear trigger introduced.
1980 - No changes. Serial numbers
1981 - No changes. Serial numbers
1982 - No changes. Serial numbers
1983 - No changes. Serial numbers
1984 - One change. Serial numbers
• Receiver drilled for Williams Peep Sight.
1985 - No changes. Serial numbers