Benjamin Model 87 Registry

To reiterate, the total projected number of Commemorative edition Benjamin Centennial Model 87’s was 6086, for an average of two guns for each of the 3,043 counties in the 50 states. However, a costly plating process never before attempted by Benjamin whereby nickel was applied over brass, brass over nickel, followed by a protective layer to prevent the brass from tarnishing caused major quality control issues. There were also complications with the stock and forearm whereby both were fabricated from the same block of walnut and often times matching up both proved difficult.

In addition, many have mentioned “back door sales” in previous discussions where some guns or parts of guns left the factory for whatever reason, perhaps because these guns did not meet quality control standards.  As a result the actual number of limited edition models manufactured was but a fraction of the projected number, most of which were .22 calibers and of those only a small percentage were .177 calibers.

Due to the issues stated above collecting data for this model for the purpose of determining the actual number of special editions sold is futile although perhaps we can at least attempt to determine the highest number of each caliber sold. To date none exceed the projected 00XXXX numbers. The highest number at this point is 000XXX.

Below are the latest entries into a BCM87 registry. The last report was dated back in April of this year. Since then three more Model 87’s have been added, two of which are .22 Cal (serial numbers 72 & 109) both yesterday. The other one is also a .22 Cal and is listed under “Seconds”. To clarify, the Commemorative Centennial Model 87 has the special 00XXXX sequence whereas the Model 87’s listed under “Seconds” have the standard issue serial numbers.
  
Finally, if anyone has seen or owns one of these guns not in the registry please forward me photos of your gun; one full length photo and a close up photo of your guns serial number and caliber combined in the same photo. My email address is; vsotero78@yahoo.com. Thanks in advance.

Another fine example with hang-tag added to the registry (.22 Cal, serial #613).

Thank you Steve.

Good work putting this together. 

Bumping to the top just in case there are other Model 87 owners out there. Again, thanks to those who have already contributed & Happy Holiday's!

@o7shelby How were they marketed?  Through retail, special order?

Posted by: @john-f

@o7shelby How were they marketed?  Through retail, special order?

A question was also posted at AVA with regards to Benjamin’s marketing of the Centennial Model 87 and to date no one has come up with any information as to marketing tools and the like confirming such a campaign. I too have searched the internet in vein and have not come across any information on the topic. The only conclusion I can come up with is that Benjamin’s struggle to mass produce this model (as in 6086 units) never materialized due to a complex platting process and were forced to abandon production and consequently marketing plans.

This is the only marketing flyer I have located, courtesy of D. T. Fletcher’s “The St. Louis Benjamin Air Rifle Co.’s” first edition.

No marketing that I know of. My friend owned a sporting goods store in Racine. He called me and said, "Hey, we've got these Benjamin Centennials in, want one?" That was the marketing. They had about a dozen of them.

Posted by: @tripleguy

No marketing that I know of. My friend owned a sporting goods store in Racine. He called me and said, "Hey, we've got these Benjamin Centennials in, want one?" That was the marketing. They had about a dozen of them.

Nothing like hearing from someone who was there in real time, pretty much sums it up.

I'm not sure if anyone noticed but there are two Model 87's on the list that are consecutively numbered; 349 & 350. As many of you know any Model 87 is quite a find although the .177's are extremely rare. Here are both of them side by side...

Bumping to the top just in case there are other Model 87 owners out there. Again, thanks to those who have already contributed.

Another fine example has been added to the registry; a .22 cal #214. This gun has the hang tag still attached and the soft case.

Thank you John.

 

Another fine example has been added to the registry. It has a superb stock and soft case. Number 239 in .22 cal.

Thank you Steve.

Bump...

Another beautiful example added to the list; serial # 252192 in .177 cal, complete with soft case and owners manual.
Thanks Pat!

@o7shelby 

• Doesn't seem to be a rhyme nor reason to the .177 cal numbering system. It's certainly not sequential.

Posted by: @tripleguy

@o7shelby 

• Doesn't seem to be a rhyme nor reason to the .177 cal numbering system. It's certainly not sequential.

When you consider 2nd's as a part of the regular production numbering sequence is does make sense. Here are serial numbers for certain years not mentioned in typical Crosman/Benjamin/Sheridan Date of Manufacture online sites. This information was gathered by a prominent Benjamin/Sheridan collector. I think this is important in that it clearly shows non special edition Model 87's appear to have begun in 1988 (more data required). Of equal importance is their production ran into the 1990 production year.

                    Benjamin               Sheridan   
          Start          End         Start          End
1982   100001   109340   381451   401050
1983   109341   131130   401051   417410
1984   131131   159640   417411   437800
1985   159641   178080   437801   460940
1986   178081   195080   460941   480940
1987   195081   212080   480941   500940
1988   212081   229080   500941   520940
1989   229081   246080   520941   540940
1990   246081   263080   540941   560940

A very nice .177 cal, serial # 294 added to the list. Information sent to me by the original owner who purchased the gun in 1987 for $200.
Thank you Joe! 

Bump...

Bump...

Number 171 in .22 Cal added...

https://www.ebay.com/itm/354138027946

Number 318 in .177 cal added. Nicely figured walnut! Thanks Steve (Wadcutter)

Number 66, .22 cal added...

https://www.ebay.com/itm/325263569426

IIRC the bid was at $1,550.00. Hmm classic case of the "shill"? Let me guess; the seller will relist & say the would be buyer bailed?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/325263569426

@o7shelby Plus the guy wants over a hundred for a 500 count pack of pellets.

I have followed this seller for quite some time. He inherited his daddy's collection and his prices have always been outrages. That gun is nice but nowhere the asking price for a none hang tag Centennial. 

Number 318 in .177 cal added.

To date the highest price paid for a Centennial I am aware of.

Number's 302 (w/hang tag) and 104 in .22 cal added. Both currently listed on Proxibid.

Number 66 in .22 cal added as well.

Bump...

#184 in .22 cal added (currently listed on eBay).

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=benjamin+centennial+model+87&_sacat=178888&rt=nc

@o7shelby 

Wonder where the case came from? They came with a soft case. That's Colt Python money which is also nuts. 

I'll have to agree Bill. These prices are getting up there especially for plain Jane examples without the hang-tag or soft case. Another feature that stands out with most examples is the above average walnut grain, absent in the higher priced eBay gun.  

@o7shelby 

S/N 000291 has lived in Anchorage, Alaska since I ordered it money up front and it was delivered a couple months later. Still unfired in the soft case. .22 Caliber

@westben1 

Thank you! I will add her to the registry.

Marty

#291 in .22 cal added.

Thank you westben1!

#103 in .22 cal added. Beautiful example. Thank you Steve!
From this point forward, which I should have inserted from the beginning, will be a photo of each gun. 

#360 in .22 cal added. Beautiful example with soft case and owners manual. Thank you Karlin!

 

 

 

I was searching for more Model 87's to add to the list and came across this video I hadn't seen. It is very well done and is for a .22 already on the list, Serial number 613. Just wanted to pass it along... 

#88 in .22 cal added to the list. This is a very nice example with all the extras including a factory shipping box. The only down side if you can call it that, the owners manual was detached from the trigger guard. It just sold on eBay for $1,526.00 plus $75.00 shipping.

Good opportunity to pick up a hard to find Benjamin Centennial Model 87 soft case and owners manual, plus a few other goodies.
  https://www.ebay.com/itm/185841660229

#259 in .22 cal added. This is another beautiful example complete with soft case and owners manual.

Just for kicks...

#228 in .22 cal added to the Registry. Very nice example with factory soft case.

Posted by: @dpauld

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dpauld- would you like to include these guns (bottom 4) in the registry? If yes, can you email two photos of each gun, one that shows both the serial number and cal in the same photo, and one full shot of the guns right side (centennial badge side). In addition, can you also include in the full shot the guns factory soft case and owners manual if these are included.

PM me for my email address.

Thank you,

Marty

First gun up top is a 50th anniversary Sheridan. 2nd model 87 in the pic (3rd gun from top) is the same gun in the previous post currently listed on eBay. Not sure why the poster placed this photo with no narrative...please explain dpauld?

@o7shelby I have n21 forearm Ang g23 stock. Does anyone know where the rest of these two are?

Posted by: @stayedprisum

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@o7shelby I have n21 forearm Ang g23 stock. Does anyone know where the rest of these two are?

Sorry I can't help you with this although are both of these attached to a Model 87? If yes can you please attach photos of the gun, including one photo that shows both the serial number and caliber?

Thank you,

Marty 

@o7shelby nope just a forearm and stock. I don’t know if they were ever on a gun or just leftovers from the factory

Bump...just in case someone has spotted a gun not on this list...

Thanks!

Thought of using mine for a 397c carbine I’m building. I couldn’t find the gun anywhere but I did find most of the parts. The pump rod is being shortened now and will be ready to assemble in a few days!

I have one in .20 Cal not sure if it needs to be in this registry?

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Posted by: @stayedprisum

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Thought of using mine for a 397c carbine I’m building. I couldn’t find the gun anywhere but I did find most of the parts. The pump rod is being shortened now and will be ready to assemble in a few days!

Interesting project. Please post photos when complete or would be interested in following a thread on the topic.

Posted by: @kendive

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I have one in .20 Cal not sure if it needs to be in this registry?

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Thanks for the photos and it certainly looks like a nice C9A you have there although this registry is strictly for Model 87's. 😉 

@o7shelby 

I figured it was not the 87 but I thought I would share otherwise. It's shoots great.

🙂

@o7shelby will do

@o7shelby 
Hi,

   Just found this group.  Came across a Model 87 maybe 15 years ago at a pawn shop, it has a serial number of 000353. The numbers are strange in that they look like they were not lined up correctly then double stamped.. anyone seen or heard of anything like that?  Hopefully the picture will show what I am referring to.

Thanks,

Szman

Posted by: @szman

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@o7shelby 
Hi,

   Just found this group.  Came across a Model 87 maybe 15 years ago at a pawn shop, it has a serial number of 000353. The numbers are strange in that they look like they were not lined up correctly then double stamped.. anyone seen or heard of anything like that?  Hopefully the picture will show what I am referring to.

Thanks,

Szman

-- attachment is not available --

To answer your question no I have never seen a double serial numbered stamp like yours. I am not sure what the implications would be other than I certainly wouldn't ever part with it. 

I will add it to the registry with a note referencing the odd serial number.

Thank you for taking the time to photograph and post your unique Model 87.  

Updated registry to include .22 Cal, serial# 000353 

Thank you Szman!

Updated registry to include .22 cal serial #000092.

This is another beautiful M87 submitted by Hill which he inherited from his late grandfather. The gun was purchased by his grandmother as a birthday gift to his grandfather.
The gun is complete with a hang-tag, card, and original receipt.

Thank you Hill.

Updated registry to include .22 cal serial #000233.
Thank you Efrain.

Updated registry to include .22 Cal, serial #000389.
Thank you Dan.

Updated registry to include .177 cal, serial # 000366.
Nice to finally see another .177 cal added.
Thank you Matt.

Updated registry to include; .22 cal, serial # 000120
Two additional photos added. The number of views on the last photo is interesting.

 

Updated registry to include; .177 cal, serial # none.

Updated registry to include; .177 cal. serial # 482