Originally Posted by
DT Fletcher
The model 250 was Benjamin initial entrance into CO2 airgun market. First mention of the model 250 in Benjamin's annual (envelope stuffer) catalog was in 1951; there is an overprint version of this catalog reading "Benjamin CO2 pistol $15."
The 1952 flyer has on the front page "New Model No. 250 Benjamin Super CO2 Gas Pistol" $15
1953: 250 $13.50, 252/257 $15.00
Don't have a 1954 catalog but it is likely the same as 1953. See note*
1955: New model "No. 262 Benjamin Super CO2 Rocket Gas Pistol" $15.00; 250, 252, 257 "Standard CO2 Gas Pistols at Reduced Prices" 250 $10, 252/257 $12.50. *There is a letter from Benjamin dated January 1, 1955, introducing the models 262 and 352.
As can be seen, the 250 series had a short production history of only 4-5 years. In 1951-1952 only the model 250 is offered. The 252 and 257 models are only in the Benjamin catalog from 1953-1955, with 1955 seeing all three models out of production and being sold at clearance.
My personal experience collecting these models is that the model 250 is by far the most common model found with the rifled 252/257 models being pretty rare in comparison. Back in the '80s, finding a nice 250 in the box (always a 250!) was pretty common at the gun shows. Price was usually in the $20 range.
It's interesting to compare the introduction of the model 250 in 1951 which was a smooth bore .177 intended to shoot darts, pellets, BBs, but, in 1955 everything is reversed, it's the .22 rifled 262 Super Rocket model that is the sole model introduced; The model 267 is introduced in 1956; The model 260 smooth bore .177 has to wait until 1957 to be introduced. For the most part, Crosman practiced this .22 first, .177 second pattern of model introductions.
It looks like the introduction of the model 262 had something to do with Crosman's introduction of their ground breaking model 150 that same year (Note: Crosman always brought out new year models at least 6 months earlier in order to cash in on Christmas shopping, so, the 1950 model 150 was available in late 1954) Benjamin really couldn't move, and never really did, to the larger 12gm "powerlet" since these were only available through Crosman, so, they were literally stuck with the 8gm 'standard' bulb. On the technical side: the 262 has two-stage variable power, the introductory model 150 had continuously variable power via turning the cocking knob. But, the biggest thing, to my eye, is that the 262 Super Rocket is the same size as the Crosman.
My experience has been that the 26X models are actually harder to find than the 25X models. This may be due to Crosman's market domination during this timeframe but there's also the factor that the 26X is, in my experience, more prone to rusting; and so more likely to be disposed of at some point. A nice, clean 26X is a rare bird.
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