Author Topic: OLD Diana 48 (Read 3685 times))

ezman604 · « **on:** September 08, 2019, 12:12:57 AM »

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...

SAFE & Happy Shooting!!!!
Dave

SpiralGroove · « **Reply #1 on:** September 08, 2019, 12:28:22 AM »

Hey Dez,
IDK, but Hector Medina might -> he's our resident Diana expert ... and in most other airgun areas

.

Yogi · « **Reply #2 on:** September 08, 2019, 12:44:38 AM »

Sure is purdy...

-Y

HectorMedina · « **Reply #3 on:** September 08, 2019, 01:34:54 AM »

Though not exactly the same model, this one is close enough to provide SOME guidance:

http://www.egun.de/market/item.php?id=7590524

HTH

HM

Korak-again · « **Reply #4 on:** September 08, 2019, 07:30:18 AM »

That gun is shown in this video. The owner takes it down and demonstrates the unigue action.

Hoosier Daddy · « **Reply #5 on:** September 08, 2019, 07:56:01 AM »

Very cool Dez.
Hope it works in your favor.

BrushPopper · « **Reply #6 on:** September 08, 2019, 08:19:50 AM »

Man, I’d have a hard time walking away from that. Doesn’t help that I’m a big .22 fan as well...

Mark 611 · « **Reply #7 on:** September 08, 2019, 08:31:46 AM »

That is a very cool looking rifle Dave!

45flint · « **Reply #8 on:** September 08, 2019, 08:45:18 AM »

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

mobilemail · « **Reply #9 on:** September 08, 2019, 09:23:40 AM »

Don't let it get away! That stock is gorgeous!

....makes me wonder what's on consignment...

Rocker1 · « **Reply #10 on:** September 08, 2019, 09:53:42 AM »

Where did you say that was boss you got a address?? lol!!! rekon he will take paypal hahaha!!! David

ezman604 · « **Reply #11 on:** September 08, 2019, 12:26:56 PM »

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.

Rocker1 · « **Reply #12 on:** September 08, 2019, 12:30:08 PM »

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

oldair · « **Reply #13 on:** September 08, 2019, 01:35:35 PM »

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.

ezman604 · « **Reply #14 on:** September 08, 2019, 01:51:50 PM »

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...

Hoosier Daddy · « **Reply #15 on:** September 08, 2019, 03:15:56 PM »

Wait... what?
Shotgun... on consignment?
I have more than one affliction.

"PULL"

45flint · « **Reply #16 on:** September 08, 2019, 03:19:28 PM »

Quote from: oldair on September 08, 2019, 01:35:35 PM

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?

oldair · « **Reply #17 on:** September 08, 2019, 06:55:14 PM »

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.

lizzie · « **Reply #18 on:** September 08, 2019, 09:23:17 PM »

GRAB IT...NOW!!

ezman604 · « **Reply #19 on:** September 17, 2019, 11:31:56 AM »

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

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OLD Diana 48

Author Topic: OLD Diana 48 (Read 3685 times))