GTA

All Springer/NP/PCP Air Gun Discussion General => Vintage Air Gun Gate => Topic started by: Andrew on November 10, 2018, 04:35:16 PM

Title: This is the oldest one yet so far, 1913
Post by: Andrew on November 10, 2018, 04:35:16 PM
Recently acquired an old Gem type gallery gun made by MGR, Diana, dates to 1913, 105 years old!

It's small but remarkably heavy with an octagonal barrel and solid cast iron breech, .177 smooth bore.

Tried shooting groups off a soft rest on a bench but with the piston traveling up the pistol grip it didn't group well as it changes the firing angle once the inertia starts the momentum upwards.

Shot better with the standing artillery hold.

Thought I'd share some pics of another rarity.

(https://i.imgur.com/scfLEQz.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/etGGOSg.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/POK5A43.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/DhI7PQZ.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/cqO26aV.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/VtXaf9O.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/2JNGeem.png)



 
Title: Re: This is the oldest one so yet, 1913
Post by: 45flint on November 10, 2018, 06:01:01 PM
Now your talking vintage!  Very cool
Title: Re: This is the oldest one so yet, 1913
Post by: HunterWhite on November 10, 2018, 06:07:41 PM
Very cool Andrew!
Does that say 8 Mark's for the 85 cm barrel, and 10 Mark's for the 88 cm?
Title: Re: This is the oldest one so yet, 1913
Post by: jab on November 10, 2018, 06:48:23 PM
I like it !    The silver is that plating and what is that made of,   pot metal ?  no
Title: Re: This is the oldest one so yet, 1913
Post by: Hoosier Daddy on November 10, 2018, 06:57:27 PM
Wow.... just.... WOW!
Title: Re: This is the oldest one so yet, 1913
Post by: Yng@hrt on November 10, 2018, 07:51:07 PM
Boy if that doesn't spark curiosity I don't know what does. Remarkable condition for a 100+ year old gun. Thanks for sharing Andrew.
Title: Re: This is the oldest one yet so far, 1913
Post by: Andrew on November 10, 2018, 08:25:23 PM
Very cool Andrew!
Does that say 8 Mark's for the 85 cm barrel, and 10 Mark's for the 88 cm?

Yes it does, 8 Marks for the 85cm and 10 for the 88
Title: Re: This is the oldest one yet so far, 1913
Post by: Andrew on November 10, 2018, 08:26:58 PM
I like it !    The silver is that plating and what is that made of,   pot metal ?  no

It's thick heavy I'm guessing cast iron with Nickel plating
Title: Re: This is the oldest one yet so far, 1913
Post by: lefteyeshot on November 10, 2018, 08:46:06 PM
That's interesting, the trigger guard being the cocking linkage to the spring.
Title: Re: This is the oldest one yet so far, 1913
Post by: HunterWhite on November 10, 2018, 10:59:01 PM
Safety?
Remember that this was made before the Great War.
Title: Re: This is the oldest one yet so far, 1913
Post by: HunterWhite on November 11, 2018, 12:58:11 PM
I'm thinking that the story of this artifact is a saga of survival. Probably purchased in Germany,  brought to the United States before WW1, or after, maybe even after WW2, perhaps fleeing Germany to escape the war. Passed from father to son, closet to closet. Somehow it survived.
The craftsmen who made it were born in the 1800s.
Title: Re: This is the oldest one yet so far, 1913
Post by: unionrdr on November 11, 2018, 02:17:12 PM
My Grandmother was a teenager when it was built! Darn good shape for it's age. I always liked the octagon barrel too.
Title: Re: This is the oldest one yet so far, 1913
Post by: cobalt327 on November 11, 2018, 04:17:49 PM
Recently acquired an old Gem type gallery gun made by MGR, Diana, dates to 1913, 105 years old!

It's small but remarkably heavy with an octagonal barrel and solid cast iron breech, .177 smooth bore.

Tried shooting groups off a soft rest on a bench but with the piston traveling up the pistol grip it didn't group well as it changes the firing angle once the inertia starts the momentum upwards.

Shot better with the standing artillery hold.

Andrew, uber cool gun! I'm curious what lead shot you're using? Not a lot of choices that I'm aware of, just H&N Excite Smart Shot or Gamo last time I looked. It would be nice if there were a slightly larger diameter lead shot available that might work better in these survivors.
Title: Re: This is the oldest one yet so far, 1913
Post by: BrushPopper on November 11, 2018, 04:24:41 PM
Kool piece!

Smoothbore makes me wonder how it would shoot darts...
Title: Re: This is the oldest one yet so far, 1913
Post by: Andrew on November 11, 2018, 04:34:09 PM
Andrew, uber cool gun! I'm curious what lead shot you're using? Not a lot of choices that I'm aware of, just H&N Excite Smart Shot or Gamo last time I looked. It would be nice if there were a slightly larger diameter lead shot available that might work better in these survivors.
[/quote]

I'm using JSB Exact pellets, haven't tried the H&N Excite lead BB's I have, reckon they'd roll out, have a couple of early German smooth bores now and both shoot great with pellets.