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.
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.
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.
Crosman currently owns Benjamin & Sheridan air rifles. I'm attaching a link to Crosman's (Benjamin / Sheridan ) database of serial numbers. However there are no sreial records before 1983. But if you have the model number the records go back to 1882. See the link below
A short history. Benjamin air rifles and Sheridan air rifles once were separate companies. Sheridan developed the C9 20 caliber series of rifles. Benjamin bought Sheridan and continued to make the C9 20 caliber series rifles. They also made a .177 and a .22 caliber C series rifle called a Benjamin. Crosman bought out Benjamin (in 1992) and decided to continue making the C series. With the name Sheridan on the .20 cal rifle and Benjamin on the .177 & .22 cal rifle some rifles also had the Crosman name on them. ( confused enough?) During all this confusion and name changing the C9A came along. I have 4 reference bluebooks on air guns and not one of them can give me a date for the C9A, But Crosman has a web page that list manufacture dates by serial number for Benjamin and Sheridan. (See the link below) when it opens scroll down to the Sheridan dates. (the first part is all Benjamin) Hopefully you have the serial number and can match the number with a date of manufacture.
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.
Sheridan (Owned by Crosman) has made 4 variations of the C9 since 1995. A short history. Benjamin air rifles and Sheridan air rifles once were separate companies. Sheridan developed the C9 20 caliber series of rifles. Benjamin bought Sheridan and continued to make the C9 20 caliber series rifles. They also made a .177 and a .22 caliber C series rifle called a Benjamin. Crosman bought out Benjamin (in 1992) and decided to continue making the C series. With the name Sheridan on the .20 cal rifle and Benjamin on the .177 & .22 cal rifle some rifles also had the Crosman name on them. ( confused enough?) During all this confusion and name changing the C9A came along. I have 4 reference bluebooks on air guns and not one of them can give me a date for the C9A, But Crosman has a web page that list manufacture dates by serial number for Benjamin and Sheridan. (See the link below) when it opens scroll down to the Sheridan dates. (the first part is all Benjamin) Hopefully you have the serial number and can match the number with a date of manufacture.
First of all thank you for posting a question with all the information I need to answer it. Most questions just ask "How much is my air rifle worth." without any additional information. Your sliver streak, in excellent condition is worth around $190. A bit of history: Sheridan, Benjamin and Crosman at one time were three different companies. in the 1970's Benjamin bought out Sheridan and continued to market the Sheridan name on the .20 caliber rifles and the Benjamin name on the .177 & .22 caliber rifles. Later Crosman bought out Benjamin and now makes all three lines of air rifles. In 1972 Sheridan started serial numbering their air rifles. Today Crosman has that list. (See the link below) http://www.crosman.com/cs/dates-benjamin
Sometime around 1980. In 1977 Benjamin bought out Sheridan and for a time they merged the names Benjamin/Sheridan.
Your best answer should come from the manufacturer's customer service. Today Crosman Corp owns both the Sheridan and Benjamin line of air rifles. See the link below
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.
It was made between 1968 to 1986. It is a .22 caliber rifle. If you want the owners manual for this rifle see the link below. Crosman owns and makes Benjamin and Sheridan rifles.
There are many versions of the C series Sheridan Let me explain: Sheridan made air rifles started in 1945 and made a few variations of the C series. Benjamin bought out Sheridan and continued to make the C series ( C9, CB, CBW CW ) From 1949 to 1990 it was marked Sheridan. In 1972 serial numbers were redone and started with #000000. Crosman bought out Benjamin (1992) and continued to make the C series Rifle (It's very popular) The rifle was made in .177, .20, .22 caliber. From 1998-2000 Crosman marketed the C series .177 and .22 Caliber as a Benjamin and the .20 Caliber as a Sheridan. I believe your rifle was made sometime after 1972 when the company was still owned by Benjamin. You may see a C9 Silver Streak or a C9 Blue streak. They are the current C series rifles Final note: at one point during the 1950's the rifle was marketed as a Benjamin Franklin as a marketing ploy. Benjamin Franklin had nothing to do with it. But his name got stuck on it anyway. Along the way the rifle has also been marketed as a Benjamin / Sheridan. ( You confused? so am I.) A rifle like this in good condition would be worth around $105 + or - $20