I'm not talking about the bolt and bolt handle, but rather the bolt and the pusher that seats the pellet in the bore.

As you can see from the pic there's a big hole in the front of the bolt face. The rifle may have had some "gunsmithing" done by the previous owner as there's evidence of screws being unscrewed, etc...but I don't think he drilled the bolt out, looks factory (or rather more professional than the buggered up screw heads would suggest) to me.
Anyway, I haven't found any reference to the bolt being made from two parts like this.

I'll need to make a replacement piece...I figure I'll just press it in.
Do guns of this era (1967) have an o-ring on the bolt?

Nick

From my old post on Sheridan Experimental pellets:

http://www.aaip.net/users/kwalker/Sheridan%20Exp%20Tins.htm

"Another interesting item is a taped cardboard box of “STAINLESS LOADING PINS”.





The box is full; do any Sheridan buffs recognize these? These are the bolt nose pins from when Sheridan tried a two-piece bolt assembly. The design was a failure, as the pin would sometimes separate from the bolt and either get shot out the barrel or get caught in the exhaust transfer port. A rifle that is missing the pin will not shoot a pellet, as the pellet does not get pushed past the exhaust port when the bolt is closed."

Drop me an e-mail; I'm sure the box won't miss one pin.

While I love making things, it might be a good idea to have a stock one. On the other hand, if the stock ones come loose, it might be a better idea to make a replacement! I figure a push fit and some loctite bearing retainer should hold either in more securely.

Interestingly I only noticed the pin was missing because the rifle wouldn't shoot the pellet. I wonder for how long they used this design. As I said, mine is from Sept, 1967. Funny that Elbe's Sheridan book doesn't have this info...must have been a short lived embarassment...

Any idea if they were meant to be used with an o-ring behind the collar? Or rather if 1967 vintage generally used o-rings on the bolt?

Thanks so much for that info, clears up the mystery at least!

Nick

Could I have your permission to use those pictures in a blog post I'll be doing about the bolt? I'll give you credit for the pics.

Thanks,
Nick

Drop me an e-mail (in the header of this msg).

Now I just need to fix the rest of the rifle...

http://anotherairgunblog.blogspot.com/2008/04/rare-sheridan-problem.html

Thanks again, Kennyboy! Your information made the blog post far more interesting.
Nick