Bought a Diana 50a last night....

[Kragman1]

...and I don't know much about them.

Total impulse buy based on my appreciation for old Diana's, my limited experience (I shot the newer version once) and modest price.

From scrambled internet browsing, I believe it's a second variant (2 screws in aluminum trigger) with the pre-T01 three ball sear trigger.  4 way front sight & 4 way rear (no diopter attachment though).  Probably a 6-7 ft/lbs gun. 

Rifle is no safe queen but everything does what it should though the single test shot sounded like the piston was slow due to drag - probably very dry leather seal.

Love how they machined the cocking lever to match the contours of the Schnabel forend, etc but I don't know much about them, or any special issues to be aware of.  So if anyone wants to talk about these now is a great time!

[MDriskill]

That's a beauty! I have a 35/b, 50/a, 50/b, and 50M from that era. I'm no expert mechanic but will be happy to help as I can. Definitely leather piston seal and ball-sear trigger.

Early post-war Dianas rank, in my mind, among the most under-appreciated collectibles in the US - but are much more sought after in their homeland. A couple years ago I watched a model 50/a about identical to yours go for 795 Euro on the German "eGun" auction site (less at today's exchange rate, but darn near a thousand bucks at the time).




If I may ask a nerdy collector question: does the windage adjuster on the rear sight have a knurled finger knob, or a square stud requiring a separate tool? (My 50/a has the former, the other three the latter.)

[Kragman1]

Knurled, I can see it in the photo.

I'm with you on the old Diana's Mike.  I don't often encounter them, but every one I come across gives me great vibes.  And they are always very inexpensive, so easy to take home....!

[Toxylon]

D50's pass my haunt on occasion, so I've looked into them some. Seems these 'hidden underlever' guns were made from 1952 all the way to 1987, but of course the guns didn't stay the same for all that time.

Early D50's are weaker, smoother, better made and much more desireable. Although having a low-power gun the size of the 50 is not everyone's cup of tea.

RWS pellets have been often mentioned to fit this German taploader the best: Superpoints, Hobbys, Superdomes.

[MDriskill]

Thanks! My inner nerd had wondered whether the windage adjuster diff was a "new vs. old" thing, or a "50/a vs. 50/b" thing. Looks like the latter, which makes sense. The separate tool must have been supplied with the peep attachment.

It also shows: a) your new toy has the correct OEM sights, and didn't simply lose the peep attachment; b) I didn't look at your photo very well, ha.

I do like RWS pellets in these guns. The hole in the tap is slightly tapered, and the older RWS designs have pretty large-diameter skirts, which seal up in the tap pretty well.

[Kragman1]

Well, caught a lucky break today and spent some quality time with this very excellent rifle.

Mounted an old blue steel Weaver K3W scope in some blue steel Burris rings and had a ball with it this afternoon. That scope looks right on it, IMO.

Shoots like a dream.  Only making 6+ fpe but I suspect that some neatsfoot oil (on its way) may help with that.

(Obligatory woodpile photo below)