I have a Crosman .22 caliber Co2 pellet gun. It is old, I haven't fired it in over 30 years, more like 35. My uncle gave it to me when I was a kid.
Anybody have a clue as to what this might be worth ?
Crosman:
The second most popular brand for American airgun collectors is Crosman. Spanning over three-quarters of a century, the number of Crosman models and variations is topped only by Daisy. Collectors who enjoy shooting their guns consider Crosman as even more desirable. More Crosman airguns offer the advantage of power that is suitable for field use. The leading authority on Crosman airguns, Dean Fletcher, considerably expands the idea of "most collectible" and offers some excellent suggestions. He states (personal communication) that:
1) To be collectible, in this sense, there should be lots of varieties of the model. The more variations the better. With the number of variations there usually comes an interesting history to the model.
2) The model should be relatively common and easy to find. It¹s simply no
fun collecting what you can¹t find or afford.
3) There should be high potential for increase in value.
4) Each gun generally should be a "shooter"
With these ideas as a background, his choices for the most collectable Crosman models are:
Pistol: 150/157 single shot CO2 pistol
1) For the number of varieties, no other Crosman model compares. There are
Sears (2), Ted Williams, Montgomery Ward, Canadian and even a Mexican
variation. There are the two piece vs. the one-piece models. The cherry-on-top is
the Chrome plated 150C Medalist. There are at least 18 distinct variations of the model 150/157.
2) The 150 is easy to find. In fact, it is so easy to find that the tag of collectablity
pretty much is reserved for near mint examples in the original box.
3) Values for mint-in-the-box (MIB) examples of the 150 are only going to go up. In the year 2000, a nice, typical model150 in the box probably was worth $125 - $150. Only a few years ago, Fletcher reported that he was passing up Model 150¹s MIB that were priced "too high" at $75. Not today.
4) The Ted Williams version 150 is Fletcher¹s favorite single shot CO2
pistol.
Rifle: Model 101/102 including CG models (the CG rifles are shooting gallery versions with a CO2 tank that projects below the gun during shooting):
1) Nobody knows the number of variations of the 101. The history of the gun
is second to none.
2) Even today, great examples of early models can be found.
A circa 1926 model 101 complete with box (poor condition) recently was bought
at auction for a little over $300. The real problem with the Models 101 and 102 is
finding good clean examples. These guns were shot. It is a lucky-find when
an 101, especially a pre-WW 2 model, is found in good condition.
3) Values have really solidified about the years 1999 and 2000. Many people are beginning to appreciate a really nice 101.
4) In Fletcher's opinion, the Crosman Model101 is still one of the best field guns ever made.
I tend to agree with Dean's ideas except for the thought that it is no fun to hunt for the very hard-to-find specimens. Many collectors feel that such hunts are the most exciting parts of the game and there is that feeling of finding hidden treasure when one unearths a particularly desirable specimen at a bargain price. My super rare Crosman 1923 rifle, the first of the Crosmans, came from a car collector who wanted to "get rid of the BB gun" that he found under the seat of a vintage Cord roadster that he was restoring. He wanted twenty dollars for the gun and was glad to be rid of it!
Many collectors would opt for searching for a broad range of airguns instead of a highly concentrated group. For them the Model 1923 Crosman is a prize that they really don't expect to find, but for which they always will be watching (watch out for specimens cobbled up from old parts and non-original receivers!). Among the other Crosman models some of the very most desirable include the models which came right after the Model 1923: the first and second Model 1924 Lever Model rifles. The second version of the 1924 Lever Model introduced the pump style that is still found on most pump-up airguns. The pre-1927 Crosman rifles are especially desirable because of their blued steel barrels (probably made by Remington Arms Co.). Later rifles have painted bronze barrels made by Crosman.
There are many other very desirable Crosmans. Among the favorites of myself, and many other collectors, are the short-lived (1949), wonderfully-solid, well-built Town and Country Models 107 and 108, the delightful, and much sought-after Crosman "45 Auto Repeater" Model 451 * built like a Colt .45 Government Auto firearm, but which actually is a gas operated revolver, the revolutionary Model 600 Semi-Automatic pistol, and the Plink-O-Matic Model 677 semi-auto BB pistol. Spice and visitor interest is added by some of the more unusual Crosman guns: the Model 380 Rocket Spear Sea Gun for use underwater, the Crosman Jet-Line pistols that shoot carbon dioxide cylinders (they doesn't shoot from cylinders; they actually project the cylinders themselves as projectiles to jet along in big electrical conduits to aid in pulling electrical wiring), and the Cap-Chur guns that are used to project tranquilizer darts into animals ranging from mad dogs to elephants and even human criminals.
The main keys to understanding the Crosman airguns are the excellent books researched, written, and published by Dean Fletcher (1998a, 1998b, 1996a, 1996b): 75 Years of Crosman Airguns, The Crosman Arms Model "160" Pellgun, The Crosman Arms Handbooks, and The Crosman Rifle 1923-1950. Additional, earlier information was presented by Jon B. Oakleaf, the first major collector of Crosman airguns, in Oakleaf (1979, 1980). Very interesting, but less accurate, information is available in Smith¹s Standard Encyclopedia of Gas, Air, & Spring Guns of the World (W.H.B. Smith, 1953). A beautiful, color review of Crosmans was presented by Ulrich Eichstädt and Dean Fletcher (1999) in Visier, Das internationale Waffen-Magazin. The text is in German, but, as I used to tell my university students when they would complain about my giving assignments in foreign language journals: "the pictures are in English!". The best guide to models and values is in the Blue Book of Airguns - produced with the close assistance and support of Dean Fletcher himself.
Anybody have a clue as to what this might be worth ?
Crosman:
The second most popular brand for American airgun collectors is Crosman. Spanning over three-quarters of a century, the number of Crosman models and variations is topped only by Daisy. Collectors who enjoy shooting their guns consider Crosman as even more desirable. More Crosman airguns offer the advantage of power that is suitable for field use. The leading authority on Crosman airguns, Dean Fletcher, considerably expands the idea of "most collectible" and offers some excellent suggestions. He states (personal communication) that:
1) To be collectible, in this sense, there should be lots of varieties of the model. The more variations the better. With the number of variations there usually comes an interesting history to the model.
2) The model should be relatively common and easy to find. It¹s simply no
fun collecting what you can¹t find or afford.
3) There should be high potential for increase in value.
4) Each gun generally should be a "shooter"
With these ideas as a background, his choices for the most collectable Crosman models are:
Pistol: 150/157 single shot CO2 pistol
1) For the number of varieties, no other Crosman model compares. There are
Sears (2), Ted Williams, Montgomery Ward, Canadian and even a Mexican
variation. There are the two piece vs. the one-piece models. The cherry-on-top is
the Chrome plated 150C Medalist. There are at least 18 distinct variations of the model 150/157.
2) The 150 is easy to find. In fact, it is so easy to find that the tag of collectablity
pretty much is reserved for near mint examples in the original box.
3) Values for mint-in-the-box (MIB) examples of the 150 are only going to go up. In the year 2000, a nice, typical model150 in the box probably was worth $125 - $150. Only a few years ago, Fletcher reported that he was passing up Model 150¹s MIB that were priced "too high" at $75. Not today.
4) The Ted Williams version 150 is Fletcher¹s favorite single shot CO2
pistol.
Rifle: Model 101/102 including CG models (the CG rifles are shooting gallery versions with a CO2 tank that projects below the gun during shooting):
1) Nobody knows the number of variations of the 101. The history of the gun
is second to none.
2) Even today, great examples of early models can be found.
A circa 1926 model 101 complete with box (poor condition) recently was bought
at auction for a little over $300. The real problem with the Models 101 and 102 is
finding good clean examples. These guns were shot. It is a lucky-find when
an 101, especially a pre-WW 2 model, is found in good condition.
3) Values have really solidified about the years 1999 and 2000. Many people are beginning to appreciate a really nice 101.
4) In Fletcher's opinion, the Crosman Model101 is still one of the best field guns ever made.
I tend to agree with Dean's ideas except for the thought that it is no fun to hunt for the very hard-to-find specimens. Many collectors feel that such hunts are the most exciting parts of the game and there is that feeling of finding hidden treasure when one unearths a particularly desirable specimen at a bargain price. My super rare Crosman 1923 rifle, the first of the Crosmans, came from a car collector who wanted to "get rid of the BB gun" that he found under the seat of a vintage Cord roadster that he was restoring. He wanted twenty dollars for the gun and was glad to be rid of it!
Many collectors would opt for searching for a broad range of airguns instead of a highly concentrated group. For them the Model 1923 Crosman is a prize that they really don't expect to find, but for which they always will be watching (watch out for specimens cobbled up from old parts and non-original receivers!). Among the other Crosman models some of the very most desirable include the models which came right after the Model 1923: the first and second Model 1924 Lever Model rifles. The second version of the 1924 Lever Model introduced the pump style that is still found on most pump-up airguns. The pre-1927 Crosman rifles are especially desirable because of their blued steel barrels (probably made by Remington Arms Co.). Later rifles have painted bronze barrels made by Crosman.
There are many other very desirable Crosmans. Among the favorites of myself, and many other collectors, are the short-lived (1949), wonderfully-solid, well-built Town and Country Models 107 and 108, the delightful, and much sought-after Crosman "45 Auto Repeater" Model 451 * built like a Colt .45 Government Auto firearm, but which actually is a gas operated revolver, the revolutionary Model 600 Semi-Automatic pistol, and the Plink-O-Matic Model 677 semi-auto BB pistol. Spice and visitor interest is added by some of the more unusual Crosman guns: the Model 380 Rocket Spear Sea Gun for use underwater, the Crosman Jet-Line pistols that shoot carbon dioxide cylinders (they doesn't shoot from cylinders; they actually project the cylinders themselves as projectiles to jet along in big electrical conduits to aid in pulling electrical wiring), and the Cap-Chur guns that are used to project tranquilizer darts into animals ranging from mad dogs to elephants and even human criminals.
The main keys to understanding the Crosman airguns are the excellent books researched, written, and published by Dean Fletcher (1998a, 1998b, 1996a, 1996b): 75 Years of Crosman Airguns, The Crosman Arms Model "160" Pellgun, The Crosman Arms Handbooks, and The Crosman Rifle 1923-1950. Additional, earlier information was presented by Jon B. Oakleaf, the first major collector of Crosman airguns, in Oakleaf (1979, 1980). Very interesting, but less accurate, information is available in Smith¹s Standard Encyclopedia of Gas, Air, & Spring Guns of the World (W.H.B. Smith, 1953). A beautiful, color review of Crosmans was presented by Ulrich Eichstädt and Dean Fletcher (1999) in Visier, Das internationale Waffen-Magazin. The text is in German, but, as I used to tell my university students when they would complain about my giving assignments in foreign language journals: "the pictures are in English!". The best guide to models and values is in the Blue Book of Airguns - produced with the close assistance and support of Dean Fletcher himself.
Good luck flying that thing over.
No spring to wear out here, it's air pressure powered. I'd bet it still fires a potent shot. It used to go through both sides of a coffee can very easily. Not a deer gun, but certainly good enough for squirrel to maybe groundhog sized stuff. Power fades as the co2 charge weakens.