GTA
Airguns by Make and Model => Diana Airguns => Topic started by: ezman604 on September 08, 2019, 12:12:57 AM
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Okay, any collectors out there of very old Diana airguns? I was at a local gun shop today checking on some pieces I have there on consignment. I asked the owner if he had every thought about setting up an airgun section. He said yes, after getting this gun. And pointed at an airgun on a rack. I grabbed it and see it is a pre-WWII Diana 48 underlever in .22cal. VERY good condition. I swore I was done buying...cough, cough...airguns. But this one has me on the fence. It looks like something I WANT in my collection.
Anyone out there have one or seen one and have any clue what one would bring? It was a consignment and I told the owner to get with the customer and ask the bottom dollar they would take. I just need an idea where that bottom NEEDS to be. Or if I'm getting a real steal buying it as marked.
Here is a picture of the model. This is not the one I'm looking at but it is about this clean.
Thanks for any advise...
(https://assets.catawiki.nl/assets/2019/7/3/d/7/3/d73b073c-1ef8-4b7f-8f14-133d8301d624.jpg)
(https://www.vintageairgunsgallery.com/images/2018/09/23/9c555826889fd100243cc1da2e73123b.jpg)
(https://www.vintageairgunsgallery.com/images/2017/11/20/d9b91709c4ac46e84a420b24f5777125.jpg)
SAFE & Happy Shooting!!!!
Dave
8)
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Hey Dez,
IDK, but Hector Medina might -> he's our resident Diana expert ... and in most other airgun areas ;).
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Sure is purdy... ;)
-Y
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Though not exactly the same model, this one is close enough to provide SOME guidance:
http://www.egun.de/market/item.php?id=7590524 (http://www.egun.de/market/item.php?id=7590524)
HTH
HM
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That gun is shown in this video. The owner takes it down and demonstrates the unigue action.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ampBaUvgfd4
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Very cool Dez.
Hope it works in your favor.
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Man, I’d have a hard time walking away from that. Doesn’t help that I’m a big .22 fan as well...
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That is a very cool looking rifle Dave! 8)
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Cool gun, my gut and my blue book says you should be in the $300’s. But you don’t see these in good condition every day. Need to make sure it shoots with power. Sometimes you can overthink things, I’m great at that. My biggest screw ups have been letting guns slip through my fingers by trying to save a few $ or overthinking it. The time to buy a vintage gun in great shape is when you see it. They are such random events. If you don’t want it get me the phone number. Love this style of rifle, have a similar BSA. Lol
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Don't let it get away! That stock is gorgeous!
....makes me wonder what's on consignment... 8)
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Where did you say that was boss you got a address?? lol!!! rekon he will take paypal hahaha!!! David
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The gun is a Diana but Robert called it a BSA in the video. Maybe I don't know my history, were they the same at one time? I wouldn't think an English and German company being the same, especially so close to the time of WWII.
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It looks like a bsa from the ones I have seen. But doesnt matter its a neat old gun I am sure you will enjoy. David
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ezman, a few points to note:
BSA / Lincoln Jeffries were the original developer of this type of underlever tap-loader, around 1905. Later in the 1930's the same design was copied (most shamelessly in the eyes of many Brits) by both Diana and Haenel. There is no connection between these makers and BSA.
Looks like you found the photos posted on Danny Garvin's vintageairguns gallery site. You may have noticed there were some variations in stock style and minor details on these guns.
I would expect to see a price in the $300 range for a nice example, similar to what BSA's go for. They are easy to work on if the piston seal is ruined, as long as the action itself functions properly. You didn't mention what the asking price is??
Prices on eGun for pre-war airguns seem to be extremely high - it may be that very few were left there between Allied souvenir hunters and gun-destruction orders.
Best of luck!
Don R.
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Thanks Don, great info. The tagged asking price was $400. I made a $300 offer or a partial trade for a shotgun I have on consignment plus cash. Will see...
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Wait... what?
Shotgun... on consignment?
I have more than one affliction. ;)
"PULL"
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ezman, a few points to note:
BSA / Lincoln Jeffries were the original developer of this type of underlever tap-loader, around 1905. Later in the 1930's the same design was copied (most shamelessly in the eyes of many Brits) by both Diana and Haenel. There is no connection between these makers and BSA.
Looks like you found the photos posted on Danny Garvin's vintageairguns gallery site. You may have noticed there were some variations in stock style and minor details on these guns.
I would expect to see a price in the $300 range for a nice example, similar to what BSA's go for. They are easy to work on if the piston seal is ruined, as long as the action itself functions properly. You didn't mention what the asking price is??
Prices on eGun for pre-war airguns seem to be extremely high - it may be that very few were left there between Allied souvenir hunters and gun-destruction orders.
Best of luck!
Don R.
Was Diana as good as quality as BSA?
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To me, the "larger" Diana and Haenel models are every bit as well made as BSA in the pre-war era - some had superior triggers as well. The ultimate example would be Diana's Model 58.
Smaller models which did not have British products for comparison, were cheaper with various stamped parts.
Don R.
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GRAB IT...NOW!!
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JUST now got a call back from the gun shop. The seller accepted my offer of $300. I'm heading out of state and will pick it up early next week when I'm back in town. :)
Will post photos after it is in my grubby paws. Thanks all for the comments and advice!!!
SAFE & Happy Shooting!!!!
Dave
8)
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Just to show you how busy I've been, I FINALLY got to actually shoot this gem this weekend. Wow...hits hard too. Looking forward to slinging more lead with it. Will hopefully Chrony it soon. Not only a gorgeous collectible but shootable too.
:)
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Uh-oh, just read through the thread again. I never posted photos of it. Will try to remember to take some this week.
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Congratulations! That is a beautiful old gun. And so good to hear that it shoots well too! Looking forward to hearing what it chrony's at.
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Congrats... can't wait for those photos!
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Forgot to post photos again....LOL.
(https://i.imgur.com/GTos6NP.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/AP5J3op.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/nAma4HA.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/UwQeRge.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/X428WQi.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/vUI6MXo.jpg)
As always....
SAFE & Happy Shooting!!!!
Dave
8)
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Very Nice! The Diana 48 is very rare and probably worth 1 1/4- 1 1/2 the BSA. Even though it's copied. Condition like yours name your price. Many have very, very nice wood and have a higher polish blue than the BSA's. Many 1919 BSA's have pressed checkering as well. Some hand cut. The Haenel version or Model IVE are also worth more than the BSA due to scarcity. Made up until the 50's.
The BSA plant was leveled 1940 Battle of Britain where BSA were then building the Enfield SMLE. Did not manufacture airguns again until the beautiful 1948 Mark 1 Airsporter.
The BSA "Juvenile patent"in the video above is not a. It's a fairly common 1919-20 light PATTERN. 1919-20 BSA light .177 39 1/2" and standard or sporting pattern (also called giant or long Tom) .22 45" are the most common prewar 2 BSA's you will encounter. They sent a boat load of them over.
Maybe I post a rare .177 BSA Juvenile Pattern when I get round 2 it.
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A very nice find.
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Beautiful piece. You done good!!!