Re: Slavia and Benjamin Franklin 130 age

 Warren,

 Hope I can help ya a bit here. I got hung-up on these little buggers,cause they are well made and conform to the standards set by European manufactures for  "entry level or "Boys Rifles". Some are suprisinglly accurate, though low on velocity ( in the mid 400fps ranges in.177 cal.).Nonetheless Q/C is pretty good, and with the models evolution, can make up a neat collection of the different variations! They are rugged as hell, and could last a lifetime given good care.

 The 618's ran from around the late 60's thru nearly the end of the 70's far as I can find out.  A number of updates took place during the little rifles evolution, then  apparentlly, CZ decided to switch model numbers to identify the upgrades. The subsiquent model's  620, 622, and 624.

 A few of the latter models came in both .177 and .22, but from owning one, you can see how enemic a .22 would be...

 There were variants within the 618 model run, some with scope grooves (for the diminutitave 4X CZ scope, which is nearly unattainable!). I have what's called a "Raven-18", apparentlly it's an old but more refined, scope grooved variant.

 Engineering changes and modifications are suttle bit in the final year('s?) the rifle had a breechbolt with a lock screw instead of a thrubolt with a simple lock nut, and little points like the quality of Blueing, eventual deletion of the front sight hood and trigger guard metal thickness diminished as production costs rose. Sitll, in the end the little rifles were a very good value and could still be counted upon to be accurate andlast nearly forever with proper owner respect and car

 There seems to also be a division within the basic 618 line-up which has a more dense (nicelly highlighted grain with suttle differences in length and contours) stock and a different BBL. (I call this variation the "LUX", lacking a better or correct model designation for it.)

I have never seen a CZ rifle for sale in a store here in the US and can't attest to any 618 pricing differences between these sub-models, OK?

 Overall, the 618-624 series represents CZ's commitment to offer an upper Mid-Grade (by European Standards) Entry level/Boys Rifle to compete with German and British offerings. They sold, probablly in the Millions, worldwide, and good specimens can still be found. Prices I have seen, vary between $12CD to $65USD, so it's a crapshoot on what you can value yours at. Be satisfied, if it looks good, shoots good, and has given you good service. Set your own price accordinglly, but prepare to be offered little, for the rifle if you sell it. Just aren't many 619 affictionados around...

 HTH,

 ZVP