None that I can find in the Catalogue: Crescent did make what was known as Hardware rifles (Shotguns) for various hardware companies, and eventually became part of Savage arms co. You may be thinking of Crosman BB guns, they are still in business today.
Yes
I don't believe Benjamin ever made a model 170, but they did make a model 177. Is this the BB gun you are asking about?
it all depends on the make and model. You did not say what kind of BB gun.
No, the closest made was the "American Youth" in 1998
Yes I can
Pretty much outside the scope of a hobbyist
During a criminal act: Yes. It's just downright unsafe to ever point a BB gun at someone.
You need to Identify the make and model of the BB gun in order to get an answer not the serial number
Any gun can just as easily hurt its owner as anyone else. There are many companies who make BB guns that will last for years
If its a BB Gun, Then Yes.
No idea what so ever.
A BB gun is an Air Gun. Now if you are asking is a BB gun better than an "Air Soft" gun that is different. As for better, well it all depends on what you want it for. A BB gun will do more damage than an Air Soft gun. But that doesn't make it better. basically an air gun has hollow pellets to a bb gun a bb gun has metal balls so they are basically the same gun but with different types of bullets