Original/ Diana Mod. 38- Early Versions

[Drew451]

This model has always intigued me and after many years of hunting, I've managed to get my paws in one. Its quite different from the slightly more common later model and the stock reminds me of an HW35E rather than the later 38. Short forend with beech block exposed, hogs back comb and low but well cut cheeckpiece, plastic cap with spacer on pistol grip cap: all as Walters book states. But this stock is definately beech and not walnut as per The Book.
Everything else is as Walter states: 3 ball trigger, sight ramp, cast front sight hood, trigger guard etc., in place of stamped parts like the 34 of the period.
This one is an "Original" and the strange thing is that its stamped 08 85: before Walters Spring '86 introduction date. A pleasing find.
Anyone else familiar with the 38?

[jonnyone]

I've got two 38s but both are the later boxy slab sided stocks. Not sure of dates on them but one is an early scruffy probably pre 88 and the younger one is (I think I recall) as late as 93.
I do recall one of the early AGW articles saying the 38s would come to our shores bestowed with walnut. Well I've never seen one so I'm really not sure what gun they had on test.
I have however clapped my eyes on what was shipped into America in the form of early 38s n these are deffo walnut stocked examples with capped pistol grips and hogs back combed stocks.
I'm still confused by the way Diana market their products here and most other places come to that. Between model numbers and specifications.
I've formed an opinion however that perhaps understandably Diana give the biggest and best selection to those countries that they have good sales in. And in the scheme of things this isn't blighty.
Consequently I think you have found a model that is not quite so common around these parts. I get very mixed up with introduction dates and this is where having a reference book is a boon. I can't figure why Original kicked off with the style of stock you have and changed it early doors to the chunky one.
And, I guess changed the trigger set up??
Dave

[jonnyone]

Got any pics by chance???

[Drew451]

Thanks for your input, Dave. Ill see if i can get some photos on soon.
What i dont know is if this is a T01 or pre- T01 3 ball and if the cylinder is as per the earliest 34s i.e. "short tube".

[Geezer]

I'd welcome pics and more detail. The precise history of the 34/36/38, especially in the two or three years after introduction, is complicated and not well documented.

[jonnyone]

Thanks for your input, Dave. Ill see if i can get some photos on soon.
What i dont know is if this is a T01 or pre- T01 3 ball and if the cylinder is as per the earliest 34s i.e. "short tube".

I wonder if its the earliest T05 unit??

[Drew451]

Poor light in my hoose so the pictures will have to wait, men. Definitely not T05, Dave. Rifle pre-dates that trigger by a long way. Three ball in there but rifle not stamped T01 as is my '88 34 with that trigger. Both rifles have the twin screws just forward of the trigger.
Its not a heavy piece and is quite slim. Easy reach to trigger. Very easy and smooth to cock but rifle feels otherwise tight and i dont believe it has seen much use. Not put a pellet through it yet but looking forward to that. It will need a foresight element put in or a scope mounted before it can be used properly. It wears an 045 type rear sight as opposed to the plastic job of the 34 of similar era.