pre 1960 Diana model 35 restoration questions
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All Springer/NP/PCP Air Gun Discussion General
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pre 1960 Diana model 35 restoration questions
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Topic: pre 1960 Diana model 35 restoration questions (Read 569 times))
viejoDiana
Shooter
Posts: 6
yes
Real Name: Roy
pre 1960 Diana model 35 restoration questions
«
on:
May 29, 2022, 08:12:55 AM »
My father and I started restoring an old Diana model 35, we don't know in what year it was built, only that it is from before 1960 based on the sight and lack of serial number.
So far we have cleaned most of the metal parts and sanded the wooden stock.
Only we am not sure what finish to use for the stock in order to get it back in it's original shape and looks.
Another problem we have is with the rear sight. the horizontal adjustment knob was broken off some time ago and we lost the little knob.
I have looked for a replacement sight but i can only find the later version of it (post 1960) which is a lot bulkier.
Does anyone know somewhere in or close to the Netherlands I can or might find an older version?
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The Netherlands, Noord Brabant
MDriskill
Expert
Posts: 1362
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Real Name: Mike
Re: pre 1960 Diana model 35 restoration questions
«
Reply #1 on:
May 31, 2022, 02:50:15 PM »
Is it possible to post photos of the gun? There are quite a few variations in the early post-war Dianas.
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Wood, steel, and leather...all you need for a proper airgun!
Craig3R
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Posts: 77
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Real Name: Craig
Re: pre 1960 Diana model 35 restoration questions
«
Reply #2 on:
May 31, 2022, 10:07:25 PM »
If your rear sight looks like this (below) you may be able to get it at Chambers Spares in the U.K.
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North Carolina
Craig3R
Shooter
Posts: 77
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Real Name: Craig
Re: pre 1960 Diana model 35 restoration questions
«
Reply #3 on:
May 31, 2022, 10:08:29 PM »
https://www.gunspares.co.uk/products/24381/35/
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North Carolina
viejoDiana
Shooter
Posts: 6
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Real Name: Roy
Re: pre 1960 Diana model 35 restoration questions
«
Reply #4 on:
June 06, 2022, 09:25:52 AM »
I hope these photos are good enough to help determine what variation it is.
Unfortunately as you can see is the rear sight also very different.
I also could only find that rear sight.
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The Netherlands, Noord Brabant
MDriskill
Expert
Posts: 1362
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Real Name: Mike
Re: pre 1960 Diana model 35 restoration questions
«
Reply #5 on:
June 06, 2022, 01:27:49 PM »
You might check with Krale in the Netherlands. The two big parts suppliers in Germany are Sportwaffen Schneider and Waffencenter Gotha.
I would date the gun to the second half of the 1950's, based on the stock details and the ribbed trigger face. This was the third trigger variation used on the post-war ball-sear rifles.
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Wood, steel, and leather...all you need for a proper airgun!
viejoDiana
Shooter
Posts: 6
yes
Real Name: Roy
Re: pre 1960 Diana model 35 restoration questions
«
Reply #6 on:
June 08, 2022, 09:48:14 AM »
I have found the broken and lost parts on waffencenter Gotha. Thank you!
also thank you for dating the gun, it's fun to think my grandpa was about the same age as I am now when this gun was made.
Now my next question is; does anyone perhaps know what kind of wood is used for these stocks or what finish I could use best?
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The Netherlands, Noord Brabant
MDriskill
Expert
Posts: 1362
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Real Name: Mike
Re: pre 1960 Diana model 35 restoration questions
«
Reply #7 on:
June 20, 2022, 05:38:35 PM »
Sorry I missed this when you first posted! Glad the Gotha guys came through for you.
The wood is European beech - nice close-grained old-growth trees, not the "farmed" beech on many newer stocks. The finish is nothing fancy, probably just a sprayed varnish with a slightly glossy sheen; don't know if this is tinted, or applied over a wood stain. These pics show 4 Dianas of similar vintage - oldest on top, newest on bottom:
1. Model 50/a, looks to have a clear finish, or maybe a very light stain beneath.
2. Model 27, a denser stain of a nice warm medium hue, intended to mimic European walnut perhaps.
3. Model 50/b, similar warm stain.
4. Model 35/b, a noticeably darker, cooler brown stain, maybe their interpretation of American black walnut?
The 35 is the only one with a ribbed trigger blade, so yours possibly was most like this originally. I find the earlier ones more attractive though...the two model 50's are some of the prettiest beech I've ever seen.
«
Last Edit: June 20, 2022, 06:00:50 PM by MDriskill
»
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Wood, steel, and leather...all you need for a proper airgun!
viejoDiana
Shooter
Posts: 6
yes
Real Name: Roy
Re: pre 1960 Diana model 35 restoration questions
«
Reply #8 on:
July 30, 2022, 07:44:40 AM »
No worries, it's a bit of a side project so there is no haste.
I should apologize too for my late reaction but something came inbetween.
The older models are indeed nicer but i want to stay as true to the original as possible, and I remember ours having the same stain as your model 35.
thank you for the pictures as reference.
now I have only one final question about the coating of the barrel. Is it a powder coating or something else? I doubt it is just spraypainted.
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The Netherlands, Noord Brabant
MDriskill
Expert
Posts: 1362
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Real Name: Mike
Re: pre 1960 Diana model 35 restoration questions
«
Reply #9 on:
July 30, 2022, 06:16:14 PM »
Dianas of that era were VERY nicely finished. The barrel (and all the rest of the exterior parts) were polished and blued by the factory.
It is not at all uncommon for European folks, who view a sporter rifle more as a tool than a collectible, to spray paint a worn and/or rusty action. You will see that occasionally when buying older used stuff off sketchy internet images (ask me how I know...
).
«
Last Edit: July 30, 2022, 06:19:37 PM by MDriskill
»
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Wood, steel, and leather...all you need for a proper airgun!
lefteyeshot
without hope, without fear
GTA Senior Contributor
Posts: 6994
yes
Real Name: Tim
Re: pre 1960 Diana model 35 restoration questions
«
Reply #10 on:
July 30, 2022, 07:35:44 PM »
Roy, It appears to me that rear sight doesn't need a knob. Seems like one would loosen the little screw just below the notch and slide the rear piece right and left.
Your gun reminds me of my BSF c60. It has stamped on the side of the reciever MADE IN GERMANY WEST.
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pre 1960 Diana model 35 restoration questions