no
This air rifle was made in 1965.
Benjamin Franklin BB rifles were made by Benjamin air rifle. The name Franklin was added as a marketing ploy. Walter Benjamin founded the company in 1899. Today Benjamin is owned by Crosman Airgun Corp. If you have any other questions then you need to state the model and condition of the rifle.
First lets get this straight. There is no Benjamin Franklin Co. The Benjamin company was started by Walther Benjamin in 1899. The name Benjamin Franklin was put on air rifles as a gimmick to sell air rifles. In 1977, the Benjamin co, bought the Sheridan Co and in Feb, 19, 1992 Crosman bought the Benjamin Company. So now Crosman owns a three companies, Sheridan, Benjamin and Crosman.
Which Model are you asking about.
I've researched several airgun catalogues and can not find a Benjamin model 217. However the 17 at the end of model 217 indicated that it's a .177 caliber air gun. The name Franklin added to Benjamin was a marketing ploy to sell the air gun. Benjamin Franklin had nothing to do with it. Walter Benjamin invented the Benjamin line of airguns back in the late 1800's. Please recheck the model number and give me some sort of rating like Poor, Fair, Good, Very Good or Excellent on the current condition of the air gun so I can give it a value (If we ever identify it)
It is a Benjamin Air rifle. Benjamin Franklin is just a quote printed on the side.Mgf 1968-92the age of your model 342 Benjamin air rifle can be found on crosman's website, but I have saved you the trouble:RIFLE Models: 340, 342, and 347YearStarting Serial NumberEnding Serial Number1968T1000T55291969T5530T613521970T61353T902631971T90264T1139661972T113967T1495341973T149535T1809391974T180940T2104991975T210450T2476511976T247652T2783991977T278400T2982411978T298242T3266991979T326700T3595681980T359569T3795001981T379501T4263051982T426305T430000 &UP
Benjamin Franklin took a daily "air bath."
Yes
It started in 1946 to 1985
Crosman Corp owns Benjamin Air guns. The name Benjamin Franklin was a marketing ploy to sell the guns. Benjamin Franklin had nothing to do with it. Older air guns are no longer repaired by Crosman however they offer a service to find independent repair shops that do service and repair on older air guns and rifles. Go to the link listed below, Click on "find a service center" when the link opens
Alessandro Volta was inspired after reading an article by Benjamin Franklin on "Flammable Air".