Stumbled onto my 1st Diana

[Hoosier Daddy]

Went to a local Gun-show today with a fair amount of cash in my pocket.. was all set to buy another vintage Mossberg .22 (my weakness) and stock up on .30-06 ammo. Place was PACKED!
 Nothing "Tripped My Trigger" only a couple Mossy's and they were in poor shape. 
As I rounded the last row there was a table with a lowly air gun... I spotted it first by it's Globe front sight.... then the break barrel hinge.
 Hang tag simply said "Webley .177, $250"
I asked the charming Lady minding the table if I could handle the Air gun..
She said, "Most certainly, no one likes those here".
I replied, "Well I am an Odd Duck and am into airguns"

Saw it was a Winchester 435. Nice blueing and wood... hmmmm, the red rubber butt pad was rather decayed, I could tell it sat in the same spot for a LONG time.
 Broke it open and the breech seal was flat.... on the side it said "Made in Germany 10 68"

Wait what? Germany... Webley?
I sat it down and stepped back. Pondering what it really was and what I would offer her. Got my phone out and before I could type in "Webley Winchester 435"
Musta had a puzzled look on my face because Lizzy's twin said "Hey Odd Duck, how about $200?".
That clinched it... as that was going to be my "Low Ball" counter offer.

Walked out the door with it on my shoulder.
Come to find out it is not a Webley... but a Diana... model 35 rebranded.
Cocks smooth and shoots strong... don't know how accurate yet but I am happy for now!

 

[DIAMOND]

Great story!

The bluing looks deep and nice.

[bantam5s]

Nive looking gun.

Too bad you weren't abto find yourself an M44US.
I keep trying to get my uncle to sell but he won't do it.

[TooJung2Die]

Awesome Diana 35 find. The wood and bluing look almost perfect in the photos. Excellent for a 1968 vintage. It'll have a leather piston seal and the velocity should be around 650-700 fps. I wouldn't think twice about replacing a leather piston with synthetic if the leather is worn out.

[Hoosier Daddy]

Thanks guys.
 David: That is exactly what I was looking for, only saw one, not stamped "US" and really beat up.
 Jon: It is in great shape for it's age! If it wasn't for the date stamp I would have never thought it to be that old. I have seen guns made 30 years later in a lot worse condition.
 I found the front sight was partially out of the dovetail towrds the rear, loosened it and it went right into place. After I tightened it I noticed the insert was in backwards as the tip was painted white but on the muzzle end. The tabs were not in the correct slot, one wider than the other, got that corrected easily enough.
 
I have been doing some research and feel extremely lucky to have found this. If it still has the leather seal, I'd like to keep it that way if chrono numbers in good shape.
 How does one lube a leather seal? Is disassembly required?
I doubt this has ever been apart.
 

[Back_Roads]

 You lucky odd duck Scott 
 As far as lubing leather piston seals I use silicone oil dripped right into the compression chamber let it sit 24 hours test and re apply if seems needed. Back in the day I had to rebuild one used an old boot for the leather, and ND 30 wt oil.

 I have a 4 year old Ruger still NIB that almost looks as good as your new Diana 

[Hoosier Daddy]

Thanks James.
 I had read both silicon and ND-30, I have both.
So uncocked or cocked, muzzle up or down?

[Hoosier Daddy]

OH... one more thing...
 the breech seal is synthetic, not leather, so it may have been replaced at some point?

Just found this from Tom Gaylord

Leather seals
Some airguns are bound to have leather seals, and the older they are the more likely leather becomes. Leather piston and breech seals need lots of frequent oiling. Many of the older guns are also lower-powered, so the oil can be petroleum-based, if you like. For a gun with a leather piston seal, I would oil the seal every time you shoot the gun if you only shoot it occasionally, or once every two weeks if you shoot all the time. Drop 5-10 drops of oil down the air transfer port and allow it time to soak into the leather. Then cock and uncock the gun without firing, if you can, to make the seal flexible. Often, you can hear the seal go squish when you do this.

[TooJung2Die]

I think most Diana air rifles use the same breech seal. My 34 and 45 share the same breech seal.

When I tried to restore the 45's leather piston seal I cleaned the leather with soap and water to get out the old oil and dirt. Then I lubed the leather with a 50/50 mix of neatsfoot oil and pure silicone oil. It made the leather soft and supple. The seal fit very snug in the cylinder but the velocity still wasn't up to par. I thought long and hard about replacing the leather but in the end went with a synthetic seal. Glad I did, the velocity is now higher than Diana claimed for the 45 in their sales ads.

Leather seals are intended to diesel when fired. Not excessively like a gun shot but there's often a wisp of smoke at the breech. I think that's why it's okay to use petroleum oil on the seal.

[Airnut]

OH... one more thing...
 the breech seal is synthetic, not leather, so it may have been replaced at some point?

Just found this from Tom Gaylord

Leather seals
Some airguns are bound to have leather seals, and the older they are the more likely leather becomes. Leather piston and breech seals need lots of frequent oiling. Many of the older guns are also lower-powered, so the oil can be petroleum-based, if you like. For a gun with a leather piston seal, I would oil the seal every time you shoot the gun if you only shoot it occasionally, or once every two weeks if you shoot all the time. Drop 5-10 drops of oil down the air transfer port and allow it time to soak into the leather. Then cock and uncock the gun without firing, if you can, to make the seal flexible. Often, you can hear the seal go squish when you do this.

Great find Scott!!
My only issue would be that if the breach seal was synthetic it is possible that the piston seal my have been replaced also?
I think that I would maybe tear it down to see what I was dealing with and at the very least clean and relube.

OH BTW the H&N sports were the ticket!!

[Hoosier Daddy]

OH BTW the H&N sports were the ticket!!

WHOO-HOO!

[lizzie]

My gosh, Scott! That is in beautiful shape!

My old Win 435 is one of my smoothest shooters- I absolutely LOVE that gun!

Congrats!

[A moron]

Pretty nice.👍

For me around here you look then ask about a air gun all's i get is " phhtt.. we just deal in real firearm's not toys"... Lol

Enjoy..

[Goose]

Wow, Scott!  Nice score!

How does it group?

Be safe,

J~

[Acapulco]

Nice buy.... Love finding deals.