Some Comments and Pictures of a real Classic, the DIANA 58

[HectorMedina]

Hope you enjoy!

https://www.ctcustomairguns.com/hectors-airgun-blog/playing-a-little-with-a-diana-58

Keep well and shoot straight!




HM

[Roadworthy]

As usual thank your for spending the time writing up the story.  That is a truly amazing rifle!!

[Yogi]

Great report Hector!

Love the lines and material and craftsmanship on the stock.
What year or decade do you think this gun was produced?

TIA,

-Yogi

[Crowman]

Absolutely interesting write up. Thanks. Crow

[MDriskill]

Wonderful! The Diana 58 is an amazing air rifle - I got to shoot one belonging to a friend at last year's Hickory airgun show which was a highlight to say the least.

The model 58 was built in the 1930's, and is one of the "holy grails" of airgun collecting. It was the first Diana model to have the amazing two-stage striker-type trigger which later filtered down to lesser models. There were three versions of it - the first cocked the trigger via a bolt (the gun was intended as a military trainer), the second had the pull knob seen on this example, and the third cocked action and trigger in a single stroke of the underlever.

[Yogi]

Wonderful! The Diana 58 is an amazing air rifle - I got to shoot one belonging to a friend at last year's Hickory airgun show which was a highlight to say the least.

The model 58 was built in the 1930's, and is one of the "holy grails" of airgun collecting. It was the first Diana model to have the amazing two-stage striker-type trigger which later filtered down to lesser models. There were three versions of it - the first cocked the trigger via a bolt (the gun was intended as a military trainer), the second had the pull knob seen on this example, and the third cocked action and trigger in a single stroke of the underlever.

As always Mike,

You are an encyclopedia of airgun history!

-Yogi

[pgritty]

great read.

[MDriskill]

Yogi, you are much too kind!

Besides Hector's new article posted above, check out the jaw-dropping selection of model 58 pics on Danny Garvin's site:
https://forum.vintageairgunsgallery.com/pre-war-diana-air-rifles/diana-model-58/#post-9716

And Larry Hannusch's excellent article here:
https://forum.vintageairgunsgallery.com/vintage-diana-resources/diana-airguns-articles/#post-7990

[HectorMedina]

Great report Hector!

Love the lines and material and craftsmanship on the stock.
What year or decade do you think this gun was produced?

TIA,

-Yogi

From my response to Mr. Wunder in the Blog:

"Dear Mr. Wunder;
A cursory search in the Vintage Airguns Forum says that THIS model is a series #2 M58 (there were apparently three series), appeared between 1932 and 1935.
There was an older "Military pattern" dated 1915 that used a bolt as a cocking mechanism instead of a knob.
It is worthwhile considering that while break barrels were already produced by this date, the fixed barrel tap--loaders were considered more "serious" and accurate.
I have found the 58 quoted in Stoeger catalogues dated 1939 for the series #2
Anyone interested in the DIANA 58 should read Larry Hannusch article:
https://forum.vintageairgunsgallery.com/airgun-revue-1/ar-1-diana-58/#post-4318

And, please, if you like vintage airguns, subscribe to the forum and help in any way you can.

Keep well and shoot straight!




HM"

;-)

And you too, keep well and shoot straight!




HM

[splitbeing]

Thanks for the eye candy and words!

[Hoosier Daddy]

WOW Hector... simply amazing!!!

[KWK]

Almost all the patents were stolen from BSA. The BSA Military was released in 1907. Diana of 1915 used a front button cocking lever catch before BSA. But it was patented by BSA in 1906. BSA didn't utilize that patent until 1919. Diana's only innovations were an improved trigger mechanism and the cycling of the bolt cocked the trigger. BSA's bolt was a dummy. Their adiustable trigger was very close to the pull and feel of the Long Lee Enfield that it replicated.
BSA Military pattern. The BSA made about 12 ft lb energy. I have documented that personally.
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[splitbeing]

That's a looker, Karl. What's going on with the sling setup?  And is the rear stock piece connected separately than the forearm, kind of like an old crosman pumper From the 40s?

[MDriskill]

Read more on these fascinating guns here:

https://forum.vintageairgunsgallery.com/vintage-bsa-airguns/bsa-military-pattern/


And here:

https://www.rifleman.org.uk/Air-rifles.html

[Struckat]

How do people find these things? That is beautiful and all I can say is Oh My….
I don’t get out much so the only people I know with air guns have received them from me.

[splitbeing]

Read more on these fascinating guns here:

https://forum.vintageairgunsgallery.com/vintage-bsa-airguns/bsa-military-pattern/


And here:

https://www.rifleman.org.uk/Air-rifles.html

Wow. Thanks for the link to those pics. Never seen anything like these airguns.  Unusual in so many ways that are also beautiful.

[KWK]

That's a looker, Karl. What's going on with the sling setup?  And is the rear stock piece connected separately than the forearm, kind of like an old crosman pumper From the 40s?

That's the way Long Enfields (Metford and Lee)were slung.
You may be familiar with the 303 British Lee Enfield? You probably envision the shorter version developed for used in WW1 in the trenches. The buttstock is a separate piece. These air rifles use an Enfield buttstock and plate.
The Metford Enfield was the early black powder rifle.
BSA began building Enfields under contract around 1859. The Confederates carried Enfields nearly all made by another manufacturer. BSA Enfields mostly went to the British colonies.
Government contract was BSA's biggest interest.
The BSA Military Pattern never earned a government contract and only about 420 were produced between 1907 and 1914.

[MDriskill]

 Thanks Karl! Great info.

As others have said...this forum really needs a "like" button . Not that guys our age need the teenage social-media-esque ego stroking, but it's good to know when a post has been read and found useful.