Cathy,

Sheridan Products Inc. of Racine, Wisconsin USA, was founded by Ed Wackerhagen and Bob Kraus in 1945. The company was bought by Benjamin Air Rifle in 1977, and again by Crosman in 1992.

Three model series have been produced under the Sheridan name. MODEL A (1947-1953), MODEL B (1948-1951), and MODEL C (1949-1976, 1976-1992, 1992-present).

My best guess is that you own a Sheridan MODEL C manufactured between 1949 and 1963, as determined by the type of safety mechanism present on the rifle.

If the rifle's safety is a spring-loaded button on top of the grip, you can be sure it was manufactured before 1963. That was the year that Sheridan changed the safety mechanism to a left and right rocker switch marked "F" for fire and "S" for safety. Anything different and you have a newer MODEL C.

Current prices for an unaltered, original condition, early MODEL C are ranging between $100 and $200 U.S. dollars.