Need help with cleaning up Sheridan Silver Streak.

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Ol'Travler

Ol'Travler

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Jun 4, 2023
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Malvern, Ohio, Carroll
I just acquired a Sheridan Silver Streak at an Estate Sale. I've owned several High power Rifles but never owned an airgun so this is where I start. This airgun has been sitting unfired since about 1986. The Barrel has a bit of "Rust pitting". It is not near as shiny as the photos of Silver Streaks that I have seen on this forum. My question is, what can I use to bring back the Shine without marring the surface? That's a start. I'm sure that there will be more questions to come.

Ol"Travler
 
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Congrats! That's a nice find. And a great gun to start with.

The barrel is made of plated phosphor-bronze. I'd use something mild like car wax or car polish at first to make sure not to do any more damage.

Gun oils won't be good for the seals. Automatic trans fluid (not Bud Lite) is the easiest to find lubricant for it. Post pics when you have enough posts to be able to.

Cheers,

J~
 
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Ol'Travler said:
Good morning Treefrog and Westypete.

Both of you have suggested some good variations of metal polish. I have some left over Brasso. Will that work on the Plating on the Silver Streak?? My biggest concern is the rust pitting. It's not horrible but it is scattered all over the Barrel.

Ol'Travler
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I think Brasso is an excellent choice. That said, I haven't seen many of them brought back from that kind of surface corrosion. If you work on it too much you'll end up with shiny bronze. The good news is that it's only cosmetic and that the gun will still shoot perfectly well. Does it hold air?

I have an old Blue Streak (1965) that's never been repaired and works perfectly. Cosmetically it's a bit of a mess, but I'm a shooter. So I just shoot it and enjoy it.

A search will turn up a manual for it. They're free on the internet. If you want to know what era yours is from, let me know and we'll figure it out.

Cheers,

J~
 
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Treefrog,

I have decided that my polish of choice will be Brasso. I'll be gentle and careful. I acquired this airgun on a whim and hadn't ever heard of Sheridan Airguns. Once I found out what I have I rapidly became very interested in the history of the Silver Streak. If at all possible I would like to know when it was built. I haven't been able to find anything that resembles a Serial #. If you could inform me as to what to look for I'll be happy to share that information. Who knows, maybe we could figure out when it was manufactured.

Thanks for your help and suggestions,

O'l Travler
 
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Here is a good source for dating your rifle off the serial number.

Benjamin & Sheridan Product Dates of Manufacture

Benjamin & Sheridan Product Dates of Manufacture
discover.crosman.com discover.crosman.com

Sheridan Models : JG Airguns, LLC

JG Airguns : Sheridan Models - Accessories, Cleaning Supplies Airguns Ammo, Collectable Ammo, Shootable Books, Catalogs, Manuals, etc. CO2 Cylinders Collectables Mounts, Scopes, Sights, etc. Parts Tools Gift Certificates Buglespanner see Will JG Airguns Accessories, Cleaning Supplies Airguns...
www.jgairguns.biz
 
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OT,

Glad to see you're getting the bug. I've had a few since I found out about them in '77.

If you look at the vertical part of the left side of the receiver next to the loading port, there may be a tiny number and letter. If it's there it will be the year (in reverse) and month of manufacture. But they didn't start that for a few years and then discontinued it a few years after. If there are little screws holding the rear sight on, it's an early model. If there are wedges instead, it's a little later in manufacture. Here's a pic or two of mine. It's a bit of a beater, but it shoots very well.

Once you post pics, we'll be able to narrow it down.

P2210409.JPG



P8080218.JPG


Cheers,

J~
 
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Treefrog said:
OT,

Glad to see you're getting the bug. I've had a few since I found out about them in '77.

If you look at the vertical part of the left side of the receiver next to the loading port, there may be a tiny number and letter. If it's there it will be the year (in reverse) and month of manufacture. But they didn't start that for a few years and then discontinued it a few years after. If there are little screws holding the rear sight on, it's an early model. If there are wedges instead, it's a little later in manufacture. Here's a pic or two of mine. It's a bit of a beater, but it shoots very well.

Once you post pics, we'll be able to narrow it down.

View attachment 362257


View attachment 362261

Cheers,

J~
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Treefrog,

There are no numbers anywhere on this Gun. The Sites are sweated to the right side of the Barrel much like the Barrel is sweated to the "Compression tube". Also what is the procedure to be able to post pictures???

Ol'Travler
 
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muddydogz said:
Some of the older silver streaks had more of a matte silver finish than a shiny one. The barrels are brass but the finish can get a pitted look. Not sure what or if that can be remedied. Good luck and you'll enjoy it for sure.
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Muddydogz, this sounds very much like the Silver streak that I have. Once I figure out the procedure for posting pics, I'll do so. I have removed the stock to clean it up and to repair 6" crack in the Front Stock. I'd like to get some pics out there before I do something that I shouldn't.

Ol'Travler
 
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Ol'Travler said:
Treefrog,

There are no numbers anywhere on this Gun. The Sites are sweated to the right side of the Barrel much like the Barrel is sweated to the "Compression tube". Also what is the procedure to be able to post pictures???

Ol'Travler
Click to expand...

That's very interesting. It sounds like an early one. As in pre-'56. If it is, you're in the money! You'll see the option to post photos below and to the left of the dialog box (as Attach Files) once you have ten posts here on the forum.

Here's an excerpt from a reference that I found. If you'll read through it, you may be able to figure out the years it was made in.

"(1949 - 1962). Sculpted front blade sight (1949 - 1963). Grooved receiver (1949 - 1967).
Pump Tube stamped 'SILVER STREAK' on left side. 1950 - One change. Slab sided stock discontinued. 1951 - Two changes.
Patridge rear sight introduced. (introduced late 1951). Hole on right side receiver (allows pin removal on Bolt) (1951–1956) 1952 - Three changes.
Blue Streak model introduced (May 1952). Forearm attached with roll pins. Pump tube now has 'MADE IN USA' stamped on right side after RACINE, WIS. 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. (May 1956 - May 1961).
Hole on right side of receiver removed (Mid - Late 1956) 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.
Sheridan blue streak serial numbers age
(Aug 1960). 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. (May 1961).
Sheridan Serial Number Identification
Rear Sight now attached with 2 set screws. (June 1961 - May 1971) 1962 - One change. Hand Guard introduced 1963 - One change.
Rocker Safety introduced. (Feb 1963) 1964 - Two changes. Inspection dates now stamped (backwards and alphabetically) on the left side of the receiver. (Jan 1964 - Apr 1972)."

Edit - Here's a pic of an early one. Does yours look like it?

55streak.jpeg


Cheers,

J~
 
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Treefrog said:
That's very interesting. It sounds like an early one. As in pre-'56. If it is, you're in the money! You'll see the option to post photos below and to the left of the dialog box (as Attach Files) once you have ten posts here on the forum.

Here's an excerpt from a reference that I found. If you'll read through it, you may be able to figure out the years it was made in.

"(1949 - 1962). Sculpted front blade sight (1949 - 1963). Grooved receiver (1949 - 1967).
Pump Tube stamped 'SILVER STREAK' on left side. 1950 - One change. Slab sided stock discontinued. 1951 - Two changes.
Patridge rear sight introduced. (introduced late 1951). Hole on right side receiver (allows pin removal on Bolt) (1951–1956) 1952 - Three changes.
Blue Streak model introduced (May 1952). Forearm attached with roll pins. Pump tube now has 'MADE IN USA' stamped on right side after RACINE, WIS. 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. (May 1956 - May 1961).
Hole on right side of receiver removed (Mid - Late 1956) 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.
Sheridan blue streak serial numbers age
(Aug 1960). 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. (May 1961).
Sheridan Serial Number Identification
Rear Sight now attached with 2 set screws. (June 1961 - May 1971) 1962 - One change. Hand Guard introduced 1963 - One change.
Rocker Safety introduced. (Feb 1963) 1964 - Two changes. Inspection dates now stamped (backwards and alphabetically) on the left side of the receiver. (Jan 1964 - Apr 1972)."

Edit - Here's a pic of an early one. Does yours look like it?

View attachment 362343

Cheers,

J~
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Treefrog,

WOW! From what I reading on Wikipedia this Airgun may very well be a 1952! I think I'm going to have a STIFF drink and let all this info marinate. Very soon I will post pics and what Wikipedia has said narrowed down the Manufacturing date. Scarry stuff!

Ol'Travler
 
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Treefrog said:
That's very cool! Congrats!

I figured if it was an early one you might not want to restore it too much as it can hurt the value. Looking forward to seeing the photos.

Have you fired it yet? You cock it by yanking the bolt back HARD until it clicks, then pump it up and fire it. No more than eight pumps.

Luck,

J~
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Treefrog,

Earlier in this thread you mention not to use Gun Oil on the inner workings of the airgun. I'm ok with that but where and how often should I oil it? Also, How do I test it to see if it is holding proper pressure? Suddenly, proper care for this airgun has become highly important.

Ol'Travler
 
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