Sheridan was very haphazard about numbering and naming there models. In 1977 Benjamin bought the Sheridan line of air guns later Crosman bought both Benjamin and Sheridan. Some models actually say Benjamin Sheridan on the rifle. Sheridan who had been around since 1945 finally started numbering their rifles in 1972.
Originally Sheridan, Benjamin and Crosman were 3 separate companies. Benjamin bought-out Sheridan. A few years later Crosman bought-out Benjamin. Today Crosman owns all 3 companies. In 1975 Crosman started serial numbering Benjamin / Sheridan air rifles. Before that (1975) it is not easy to identify the year the Benjamin or Sheridan's were made.
You cannot age a sheridan air rifle with no serial number. ----------------------------------- New Answer------------------ The above answer is not entirely correct. Sheridan rifles did not carry serial numbers before 1972. So if yours has no number it was made before 1972. Also if you can find the model number, then that can identify the date range that model was made.
On the right side in front of the trigger
It depends on the model, but usually it is right on the barrel or the receiver. If it is really old it may not have a serial number. For a time Benjamin and Sheridan did not serialise their rifles.
None of the existing ORIGINAL guns have serial numbers.
Sheridan has somewhat of a murky past. The company started in 1945. The silver streak was made from 1949-1990. In 1972 Sheridan started serializing their air rifles, starting with #000000. in 1977 Benjamin air gun company bought out Sheridan. in 1992 Crosman bought out Benjamin. Today Crosman owns all three companies. So if your air rifles has a serial number, it was made after 1977. I found a list of serial numbers for Sheridan on the Crosman web site but they only go up to (#437801) that were made in 1985. So yours was made sometime after 1985.
No. Serial numbers were not required until 1968 on rifles. Most have a Sears model number that is mistaken for a serial number
It began in the 1800s. In 1934, US law required SNs on all handguns and machineguns. In 1968 law required them on rifles and shotguns. Prior to 1968, some long guns had serial numbers, some did not.
Serial numbers were not required on rifles and shotguns until 1968.
This may sound strange, but if it never HAD a serial number, not a problem. Serial numbers were not required by law on rifles and shotguns until 1968. I have about 20 rifles made in the 1940s and 50s that do not have serial numbers. REMOVING a serial number is a serious crime, however.
It could be because sequential serial numbers would have allowed someone to collect a sample of rifles and then estimate the total number produced.
I don't know if all High Standard A-100 rifles (semi-auto, .22LR caliber) had serial numbers. Gun companies didn't have to use serial numbers until 1968, and a lot of inexpensive .22 rifles and shotguns didn't have any serial numbers back then.