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Dutch Lead · Member

Dear fellow members,

After posting a topic about my Sheridan F Series, the request came in to tell about one of my Sheridan Blue Streak guns.
In september 2012 I came across a worn out and practically deceased Blue Streak out 1972.

It was obvious that this gun had suffered a lot during it’s life with his ex-owner who used it a lot as you can see at the pictures above.
Beside needing cosmetic surgery desperately, it’s internal parts had surrered too, even after pumping 20 times, it hardly had enough power to shoot a pellet out of the barrel.

I soon realised that if I wanted to restore this old Sheridan to it’s former glory, a lot of work laid ahead of me.
A big challenge that I liked going to complete!
The first thing I did was contacting a friend who knows everythimg about Sheridan and who revised all my pump guns..replacing valves, o rings etcetc
Because of the poor condition of the trigger, rear sight and safety mechanism, I informed if he had some better spare parts to replace the rusty ones on the BS.
Meanwhile I completly stripped the gun so I could get started the face lift..

I was not sure what to do with the Blue Streak, paint it black or powder coating in black so I started l looking aroud on a Dutch forum about airguns.
A member responded to my question by showing a pic of his polished BS and I got enthousiastic!
My Blue Streak would become a Gold Streak!

I First started with the rifle butts( the wooden parts), sanding them with different coarsenesses of sanding paper, until very smooth.

Big dents I treated with a wet towel and the iron of my wife, they came out pretty good.
The remains of the dents I sanded out until most of them were invisible.
Then I put on a lot of layers of Scherell’s Schaftöl in the darkest color, probably some 15 layers after another with a pause of 5 days.
The oil will soak in nice that way and dry completely before putting on the next layer.
When I was satisfied about the colour, I finished the wood with cooked linseed oil.
I apllied a thin layer on the butt and waited 15 minutes before massaging it in with my hand.
If you massage it firmly you feel your hands are getting very warm.
That is what you need to harden the linseed oil, the more you massage it the better the result!
Hard work but worth the effort!
I repeated this process about 5 times with a week in between giving the oil the chance to do it’s work.

After that the bad work began, with Scotch & Brite sanding pads( the red ones) I started sanding the barrel and pressure tube.
The once black but now fade color came of easily but a kind of pink layer became visible...
Well, I don’t want to go to Classic Shoots with a kind of Gay Pride gun so I went on sanding until a golden shine blinded my eyes.
It was a hell of a job that took many of my spare time hours until the complete gun was the same color....and by many hours I mean may hours!

Finally I was satisfied about the result, having calluses on my fingers and the lungs of a miner from the dust that came off....
But nothing is for free in life so no complaining from my side.
And then came the magic...I took my golden boy and gave it a treatment with a polishing wheel and some paste!!!
My god, I understand the term gold rush so much better now, my Blue Streak turned into a beautiful Gold Streak, kind of the Special Edition gun Sheridan made once!!!!

With satin gloves I reassembled most of my gun before sending it to my friend for internal revision because I don’t have the tools for it.
He also had a beautiful rear sight, trigger and safety for me which he put on for me.

I had to wait for a whole nervous week before my Gold Streak came back but it was worth it, in my hands layed a beautiful Sheridan that featured almost new parts on the outside and due to the revision, shot like a new one out of the factory!
The last step in my process was getting a hand guard for my reborn friend.
These things are hard to find in Holland but Ebay brought the solution and salvation!!!
I was able to buy one which was send from the US and finally completed my Golden Wonder!!!

So still proudly about the result, I present to you my fully restored 1972 Sheridan Blue Streak!!!
Affectionately nicknamed Goldfinger...

Would I do this again?
Well, considering the amount of hours and money, not soon probably....but I know myself!
Hopefully I come across another and hopefully the next specimen of my beloved Sheridan guns and then??
Don’t be surprised if you ever read another topic about it, I always loved Sheridan’s and shoot almost on daily base with one of the 4 I owe!!!

Excuse my English here and there but I assume you all will understand my story..
Grttzz Dutch Lead

PS: if you have an ( old)HB20 somewhere( pump pistol) you can send me a pm! Laughing

Slavia · Moderator

Looks great! I'm happy you were able to find a handguard. Mine went missing also, and I replaced it with black vinyl tubing.

Mentolio · Veteran Member

Nice work, that is a mighty fine looking Sheridan!

tommylucky · Member

A restoration , by definition, is to bring something back to its former glory. Personally, I would have made the repairs and left the rest as found. Its a survivor. Or it was one. It testified to the craftsmen who built it. Would you paint over the original paint on a 1929 Harley ?? From the pictures of the Streak,I suspect you may. I'm sure its a great gun to shoot and your attention to detail is commendable.

Here's my 1975 Silver Streak. Repaired to like new inside, displaying its 39 years of patina.

Dutch Lead · Member

Well, because I already owed 2, in original & mint condition Sheridans, I thought that this one might be a bit over the the top....tastes differ Cool

..
I agree that age most def can have its charme but I think my project came out nice.
Going for gold with this one I would say Smile

I had a lot of fun during the proces seeing this once moribund gun gaining its pride again.
But if I come across another oldie like this one, it will probably only be renewed inside..
All 4 rifles have been done by a specialist so they are as new as can be.
The Silver Streak( 1977), C9( 1978) and F series( 1982) still are as I got them, beautifull and a little aged....

Thanx for the compliments!