Setra AS 2000 CO2 rifle

 

As this 7/22/1971 date just predates the introduction of the Sheridan F, it makes one question the true mission of this specimen's shipment to Sheridan. If Sheridan was simply requesting an example of a CO2 powered rifle from Artes/Setra to examine and consequently reverse engineer it to produce their own CO2 model, It seems highly unlikely that the Spanish company of Artes would have granted such an outrageous inquiry. However, it seems more likely and reasonable to conclude the possibility that Sheridan approached the Setra factory to pursue having the Spanish Setra/Artes company produce a CO2 rifle for Sheridan as they sought to enter the CO2 air rifle market. Obviously, this specimen begs for the favor of additional research.

 

This Setra is in generally excellent condition throughout with only a few minor handling marks and is presented in its box, along with the original shipping document showing its arrival to the Sheridan Racine factory on August 9, 1971. As mentioned, this is a bulk fill CO2 air rifle which can be be filled from a Crosman 10 oz. bottle. It seems to hold gas and fire properly.  It still retains its original small oil bottle and a couple of replacement O rings. Other paperwork included are the parts diagram, a Setra target, an instruction guide with Setra factory photos, and a blank warranty card.

 

This rare air rifle came from the collection and subsequent auction of the many collectible airguns belonging to the late Dr. Ingvar Alm, who (verbally mentioned to me) that he himself obtained it with other special/personal Benjamin and Sheridan models directly from the Ray Katt (Benjamin President) family at some point. This is a unique opportunity to tap into the pool of Sheridan history from nearly a half century ago."

 

 

 

On the AVA he added: "I really don't know much about the back story on this piece. I bought it in the 2019 Ingvar estate RIA lot of several air rifles. I was very focused on getting the Tyrol Military M1 CO2 carbine in that lot (it took more than $1K for that to happen), and this Setra (which I had not looked at) was in that lot. Upon getting it home, I discovered that Sheridan connected receipt. I then planned on keeping the Setra because of that connection , but displaying boxed air rifles takes up so much of my limited room.

Ingvar had bought a substantial number of special/one-off/personal from the Katt family quite some years ago....I don't know any of those specific details (perhaps Oldair or Hornet17 might know more). For several years, Ingvar would bring a fair number to the shows where he would sell off those he could live without. He even set up a large vertical display rack with a number of those Benjamins shown together (one year the rack and rifles came loudly crashing down upon the floor-much to Ingvar's dismay and mine, as I'd never heard so many Swedish cuss words before).

I don't have any further provenance except what I heard from Ingvar. I do know he felt the piece was significant enough not to offer it for sale-it had to be released through his estate auction. I just happened to end up with it because of my strong interest in military air trainers.

As an aside to the story as to how or why Sheridan ended up with it, I'll offer this similar scenario: Many years ago (30++?), I purchased several hundred old airguns from a factory that had been stored for years. These were originally bought across many decades, as the factory wanted to study competitor designs throughout the years. However, these pieces ( I was told) were typically purchased discreetly from retail  channels to disguise the true nature of their real (engineering) purpose.  I cannot fathom that Artes/Arcos/Setra in Spain would knowingly send one of their Co2 rifles to a competitor in Racine to have them study how to reverse engineer and copy it! To my mind, Sheridan must have approached Setra with the thought  of them possibly producing a CO2 rifle to be private labeled under the Sheridan banner...again...more research for another day."