Chasing a ledgend - the Crosman 102

DaveK · Post by **DaveK** » Sat Jun 16, 2007 6:11 am

http://members.aol.com/vintairgun/Models/102.htm

According to this article, the OSS in WW II bought 1,000 Crosman 102's (looks like a Crosman 101 apparently). These ended up in Calcutta in 1945.

Anyone ever see one of these or have one? It's one of the few airguns that "went to war". Interesting slice of history.

Thank you -
DaveK

Post by **dev** » Sat Jun 16, 2007 12:02 pm

Hi Dave,

Haven't heard of any in India but might be around. The 101 keep turning up in auctions like gunbroker.com in the USA. You may find one on the Crosman airgun forum or yellowforum.com and some specialists like bryan&associates may have em.
I have the 160 clone in its new Chinese avatar of the QB 78.

Regards,

Dev

Post by **cottage cheese** » Sat Jun 16, 2007 3:24 pm

DaveK";p="21549 wrote:http://members.aol.com/vintairgun/Models/102.htm

According to this article, the OSS in WW II bought 1,000 Crosman 102's (looks like a Crosman 101 apparently). These ended up in Calcutta in 1945.

Anyone ever see one of these or have one? It's one of the few airguns that "went to war". Interesting slice of history.

Thank you -
DaveK

Hi DaveK,

Thats a very interesting bit of info. You should, however, bear in mind that broadly speaking, we Indians have no sense of history. So it would be a pretty daunting affair looking for these pieces in country. Hope you have success in locating a piece or two. Someone at IFg will probably be able to give you pointers.

DaveK · Post by **DaveK** » Sat Jun 16, 2007 6:03 pm

Thank you gentlemen.

I have a couple 101's from Gun Broker, so don't need more, but I have a hunch if someone were to find one of these OSS 102's in India and established provenance, it might mean a big dollar sale in the USA. Condition may not be too much of an issue, as one man's junk is often another man's treasure.

Dev - I thought long and hard about a QB 78, but got offered one of the recently released CMP (Civilian Marksmanship Program) 160's. NIB from 1966. I'm really more interested in US made multi pumps (Benjamin, Sheridan and Crosman) so I've put together a modest collection of working shooters - the 160 just kind of sits there doing nothing so I might have been better off with a QB 78.

Tomorrow, June 17th is Father's Day here in the US - so I wish all of you fathers, "Happy Father's Day".
DaveK

Post by **dev** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 4:24 pm

I had two Crosmans the 1008 pistol (stolen from my house) and the 2100 pump. I loved both and keep thinking of getting a 3576 and the 1377. The only problem is the co2 carts. The problem with the pump ups are that the seals are very sensitive to the oil. Finding pure silicone oil here is a challenge unless ones buys it along with the air pistol or air rifle. I can't imagine how so many 160's have surfaced suddenly, really itch for one but its a pain to add air guns to the collection. So far my QB 78 is the one I shoot the max nowadays. Should have got the 20 ounce bottle for it but I have a 12 ounce one. Anyway its a l;oad of fun and I'll probably add a few Crosmans around year end depending on how lonely the Qb 78 gets.

.

Regards,

Dev

DaveK";p="21573 wrote: Thank you gentlemen.

I have a couple 101's from Gun Broker, so don't need more, but I have a hunch if someone were to find one of these OSS 102's in India and established provenance, it might mean a big dollar sale in the USA. Condition may not be too much of an issue, as one man's junk is often another man's treasure.

Dev - I thought long and hard about a QB 78, but got offered one of the recently released CMP (Civilian Marksmanship Program) 160's. NIB from 1966. I'm really more interested in US made multi pumps (Benjamin, Sheridan and Crosman) so I've put together a modest collection of working shooters - the 160 just kind of sits there doing nothing so I might have been better off with a QB 78.

Tomorrow, June 17th is Father's Day here in the US - so I wish all of you fathers, "Happy Father's Day".
DaveK

DaveK · Post by **DaveK** » Wed Jun 20, 2007 6:11 pm

Hi Dev - Just back from visiting my 91 year old father for Father's Day.

The only airguns you mentioned that I have any experience with is the Crosman 1377. They don't need much lubrication - I use the Crosman Pelgun oil (because its available locally). You might check over on the Crosman Forum for an alternate lube. I seem to remember automatic transmission fluid or 30 wt NON DETERGENT motor oil will do as well. I rarely pump mine in pistol form more then 4 times or 6 times as a carbine conversion.

I don't know much about the Civilian Marksmanship Program. Apparently they have a pile of ex military and civilian firearms and some airguns that they release for sale to qualified buyers. Through no skill on my part, I was offered a 160.
DaveK

swajan · Post by **swajan** » Wed Feb 09, 2011 5:14 pm

I found one vintage Crossman Premier in Kolkata, however the cocking knob and spring is missing. Suggest what to do.
If I get a detail drawing may try to restore. Your valued suggestion is solicited.

Regards

fantumfan2003 · Post by **fantumfan2003** » Wed Feb 09, 2011 9:21 pm

Some more details like model number etc and a few pics might help to help you....

M.

swajan wrote:I found one vintage Crossman Premier in Kolkata, however the cocking knob and spring is missing. Suggest what to do.
If I get a detail drawing may try to restore. Your valued suggestion is solicited.

Regards

sawbones · Post by **sawbones** » Wed Feb 09, 2011 9:46 pm

Hi

i rebuild crosmans as a hobby and i do have a 101 I had posted the pics previously not many poeple repair these any more .

http://indiansforguns.com/viewtopic.php ... 666#p77666

if you need any more info just yell

sawbones

swajan · Post by **swajan** » Fri Feb 11, 2011 9:37 pm

I know for sure, every one will be interested to see the pics. I will post as far as possible. I could not read the patent number as it is full of dust, I have to be careful. However, I have observed the barrel and the spring housing made of brass. Some how, Imaged to have a manual from here -
http://airgunartisans.com/CR101page.htm

and full crosman book running into 164 pages from here -

trying to become Sherlock Holmes than Jim Corbett

I am sure, I shall need your help in a few days.
see you all

swajan · Post by **swajan** » Thu Jun 30, 2011 9:57 pm

Dear Friends,

At last I got one Crosman 102 Rereter 0.22 - patent 1924.
See post http://indiansforguns.com/viewtopic.php ... 92#p140792

Dear Devek, what do you suggest ?

Regards

sawbones · Post by **sawbones** » Thu Jun 30, 2011 10:19 pm

I have a spare set of innards for these I suggest you visit me and measure all the dimensions and then you can get it replicated in kolkota or even get it done around here I would also like to see the repeater parts as i haven't come across any yet

sawbones

swajan · Post by **swajan** » Thu Jun 30, 2011 11:30 pm

You have a pm

swajan · Post by **swajan** » Sat Jul 02, 2011 1:03 am

Dear Friends

What I got is Amazing !!!

It is Model 102 "OSS" Variant - .22 cal., 15-shot pump pneumatic repeater for lead balls, round hole loading port, produced during WWII for the U.S. Office of Special Services.

Any way I seek all your help, in the meantime cleaning it. Tomorrow will dismantle it. It has round hole. Wondering for round balls, where to get ?

Indians For Guns

Indians For Guns