Henry Rifle Forums

Benjamin/Sherdian S397 Silver Streak .177 cal

Those S guns are also known as 397/392 Nickel models. Wonderful guns. Here's my 1992 397S Nickel, one of the last of the Racine, Wi. made guns. Added a Crosman mount and a 4x airgun scope. Not as nice as yours, but a good shooter. Mine does very well with Crosman Premier pellets. Would love to have the original box and papers like yours, though. Thanks for sharing. How does yours shoot?



The original Silver Streak models were the the Sheridans in 20 cal and prices for those have gone just nuts. Been looking for a Sheridan Silver Streak in 20 to go with my standard Blue Streaks n 20, but just haven't been able to find one, yet, at a reasonable price. In the meantime, have my 397S and my other Blue Streaks to shoot, so I can wait.

I've had it for about 6 years now. This rifle was given to my Dad at his retirement from the county of Humboldt,CA. I inherited it after he passed. I've been shooting it ever since. Its pretty darn accurate, and its a real joy to own. I've been trying to find out recently what year it was made. From what I can decipher I think it was in 1991 or 92. Its made in New York, but the box was stamped as you can see Racine. So it's clear as mud to me. Must have been built in a transitional period. Whenever or wherever its a future family heirloom, but a well used and appreciated heirloom.

dasmoeturhead wrote:I've had it for about 6 years now. This rifle was given to my Dad at his retirement from the county of Humboldt,CA. I inherited it after he passed. I've been shooting it ever since. Its pretty darn accurate, and its a real joy to own. I've been trying to find out recently what year it was made. From what I can decipher I think it was in 1991 or 92. Its made in New York, but the box was stamped as you can see Racine. So it's clear as mud to me. Must have been built in a transitional period. Whenever or wherever its a future family heirloom, but a well used and appreciated heirloom.

That's a really fine rifle, and I'm sure it will be treasured for a long time to come.

Its kind of funny when one of my friends (my gun nut friends anyway) will look at my gun cabinet full of some pretty nice weapons, and they will say; oh wow what's that one? Talking about the S397 Benjamin/Sheridan.

That's pretty cool looking.

That is a transition gun, then, if it is stamped E. Bloomfield, N.Y. These transition guns lasted until about 1995, but they had a hodgepodge of markings with some changes in features that are almost impossible to pin down. Crosman had just purchased Benjamin in the early 90s and was using old parts from Benjamin, sometimes mixing in some of their own, sometimes not, as old parts inventory would surface. I have a 1995 397PA that is such a gun and it's puzzled some collectors with its stampings.

The good news is that these are still very much Benjamin 397s, not the later, much changed Crosman 397s. Don't let someone talk you out of it or trade it off, because you won't be able to replace it. The current production Crosman 397 is not the same class of gun.

Good looking guns. Thks.

North Country Gal wrote:That is a transition gun, then, if it is stamped E. Bloomfield, N.Y. These transition guns lasted until about 1995, but they had a hodgepodge of markings with some changes in features that are almost impossible to pin down. Crosman had just purchased Benjamin in the early 90s and was using old parts from Benjamin, sometimes mixing in some of their own, sometimes not, as old parts inventory would surface. I have a 1995 397PA that is such a gun and it's puzzled some collectors with its stampings.

The good news is that these are still very much Benjamin 397s, not the later, much changed Crosman 397s. Don't let someone talk you out of it or trade it off, because you won't be able to replace it. The current production Crosman 397 is not the same class of gun.

Thank you for the clarity about this rifle. I've never sold, or traded a weapon that my Dad gave me. Just can't do it. In fact I still have the 1st rifle he ever gave me when I was 11 years old. Its in my cabinet although I did hand it down to my oldest son. All of those rifles have many, many stories, and some of them stories I was part of.

Les wrote:

dasmoeturhead wrote:I've had it for about 6 years now. This rifle was given to my Dad at his retirement from the county of Humboldt,CA. I inherited it after he passed. I've been shooting it ever since. Its pretty darn accurate, and its a real joy to own. I've been trying to find out recently what year it was made. From what I can decipher I think it was in 1991 or 92. Its made in New York, but the box was stamped as you can see Racine. So it's clear as mud to me. Must have been built in a transitional period. Whenever or wherever its a future family heirloom, but a well used and appreciated heirloom.

That's a really fine rifle, and I'm sure it will be treasured for a long time to come.

Indeed it will. Thx.

dasmoeturhead wrote:

North Country Gal wrote:That is a transition gun, then, if it is stamped E. Bloomfield, N.Y. These transition guns lasted until about 1995, but they had a hodgepodge of markings with some changes in features that are almost impossible to pin down. Crosman had just purchased Benjamin in the early 90s and was using old parts from Benjamin, sometimes mixing in some of their own, sometimes not, as old parts inventory would surface. I have a 1995 397PA that is such a gun and it's puzzled some collectors with its stampings.

The good news is that these are still very much Benjamin 397s, not the later, much changed Crosman 397s. Don't let someone talk you out of it or trade it off, because you won't be able to replace it. The current production Crosman 397 is not the same class of gun.

Thank you for the clarity about this rifle. I've never sold, or traded a weapon that my Dad gave me. Just can't do it. In fact I still have the 1st rifle he ever gave me when I was 11 years old. Its in my cabinet although I did hand it down to my oldest son. All of those rifles have many, many stories, and some of them stories I was part of.

Didn't think you would. Just wanted you to know, that sentimental feelings aside, you have a great QUALITY pump gun.

^^^ thx.

I bought a Blue Streak .20 with a factory installed Williams F.P. rear site about 36 years ago. I have gone through the first box of 500 pellets so only two more boxes = 1K pellets left. They are first class air rifles , walnut stock and a brass barrel.

This is as close as I get to a Silver Streak. I liked the finish. When it arrived, The wood wasn't right and it looked terrible. I made a journey to the Crosman factory where they replaced it for me, on the spot. Out front, there was an amazing display of their pellet rifles in the lobby. I'm glad I went on that journey.

She's a beauty. How's it shoot?
From what I gathered, mine is Not a silver streak. Its a S397 in .177 caliber made by the Benjamin Sheridan company. Very confusing.

Here's the info on my rifle
Most habe been a confusing period during the transition period. The box says its a S397. The box has Racine on it.
The rifle says 397P, and made in New York.

It's your rifle, so you can call it a Silver Streak if you want. It's true, though. The label Silver Streak was used for Sheridans or Benjamin-Sheridans in 20 cal.

Yes, as mentioned, that is a transition gun, so I'd let it go at that and just enjoy it. Have had hard core collectors go nuts trying to figure out any consistency as to how guns in this period were marked or any timeline that corresponded to the markings. Crosman hasn't been much help, either.

Thanks for all your help. You seem to know a great deal about these rifles. I'm just really starting out in the research department, and I think I will listen to you. I've seen some of your posts in other forums. Thanks again for your help

This thread is good reading.

dasmoeturhead wrote:Thanks for all your help. You seem to know a great deal about these rifles. I'm just really starting out in the research department, and I think I will listen to you. I've seen some of your posts in other forums. Thanks again for your help

You are very welcome.