Diana/Original 35 Super Question.

[Drew451]

They are odd aren’t they? I think they came out in 1977, so only a year before the 45, which was much more on the late 70s and 80s zeitgeist for high power at all costs.

I have always assumed the idea was entry-level budget target rifles aimed at the big German 10M match market, sized for kids (25DS), youths (27S) and adults/big adolescents (35S) - all running at German sub-7.5J power.

I strongly suspect that the regular and S models competed heavily against each other, to the detriment of M&G’s bottom line.

Accepting my German 10M hypothesis, i’m not sure what “better” entry-level rifles were eating into Diana sales that would make the S guns a good idea. The stock 27 has a good case as being a near-perfect lightweight mid-power plinker, barn gun, or base target air rifle, especially in the 70s. The 27S (I have one) isn’t so much better as different.

The Webley/BSA/HW/everyone else model of making the same gun in standard and fancy stock deluxe models is a much better business model than making mechanically different variants of the same action at the same level of finish.

They certainly do have the look of the 70s match guns and lend themselves to off hand shooting very well. They must have been one of the earliest angular/ slab sides mainstream springers of that period before others followed suit.
The regular 27 is near perfect in my opinion, but its a tad too small, esp. in the area of the pistol grip for average sized adult hands. The 27S must be an improvement in this regard or looks to be.
Walters book says 1973 for the introduction date of the 35S but thst it didn't appear in Britain in any numbers until, I think, 1977. Mine is a '77 as are the majority (a handful) I've seen are '77's. Not sure when the S series died.
Super owners: let us know your dates.

[landymick]

The 35S was still around with the 45 in 1980 for the Anniversary model.

[jonnyone]

The 35S was still around with the 45 in 1980 for the Anniversary model.

Yep and there was of course the 35 jubilee/anniversary also. Heard they were not introduced over here so any here are likely imported with the F in pentagon logo. But same decals n medallions set in stocks as 45.

[johnbaz]

I have a Gecado mod35, The stock and sightss are different to my normal Original mod45..

The Gecado was pristine when I bought it, The stock had been refinished by Custom stocks of Sheffield, Unfortunately I was searching for a rifle in the gunroom and lined up several along the wall when they slid over!! (It's not perfect any more )








The Original mod35..



The Gecado is .177, the Original is .22 (I think!)..


John

[jonnyone]

Reading this thread a few weeks back got me thinking of the gap in my Diana collection. The two guns I admired from Diana from my youth was the 45 and the 35 and more specifically the 35s. Ive got a few 45s now but not a 35.

On impulse I contacted a gun shop down Brighton way and was soon.parting with some hard earned in exchange for a 35s.
Having spent a week at the Royal Welsh show it was only this morning that I could pick the gun up from my local gun shop.

I have to say what a cracking well made gun they are. The bluing is excellent and would put many modern guns to shame. There is not a hint of plastic anywhere and the stock is well designed and is clearly the inspiration for the RWS 45. I like the fact that the cocking slot is kept short due to the articulated cocking link. Cocking the gun requires minimal effort and is smooth and silent and not at all graunchy. The latch up of the trigger was so smooth and silent I held the barrel as I couldn't hear any sound of the piston engaging the trigger. Firing the gun you get a solid thump, but with soft recoil and no spring twang. Something sadly missing in most modern factory fresh guns.

This one is dated 08 82 and I think its late in.production. I'm surprised by the arc rotation of the barrel when cocking. I honestly thought it had a shorter stroke than it has. Power is average between 9-10 depending on pellets, but I'm not overly keen to up the power at the expense of smoothness. But I'd say it wont break into too much of a sweat up around 11.

Very impressed with the gun and I have to say after all these years of hankering after one it appears to be all I anticipated it would be. I've not taken it to test for accuracy but I suspect I won't be disappointed there either if the right pellet is arrived at.
Another classic to go in the rack and accompany me on a future squirrel hunt methinks.
Dave

[Drew451]

Im very pleased you got your hands on a good 35S, Dave. Sounds like a good, tidy example youve got. I agree with you on all counts and if its putting out a good, consistant 10 fpe with accuracy to match, it will hit the button, I bet.
1982 is later than most but i think they run on in very small numbers for a few more years. Most seem to be mid to late 70s.
Id be interested to hear more on your 35S as you put it through its paces.

[jonnyone]

Im very pleased you got your hands on a good 35S, Dave. Sounds like a good, tidy example youve got. I agree with you on all counts and if its putting out a good, consistant 10 fpe with accuracy to match, it will hit the button, I bet.
1982 is later than most but i think they run on in very small numbers for a few more years. Most seem to be mid to late 70s.
Id be interested to hear more on your 35S as you put it through its paces.

Well its been put through the paces alright.

I have thoroughly enjoyed its smooth cocking action and not too sharp a recoil for some enjoyable zero checking and familiarisation shooting sessions. I suspect that the last time this gun was in bits was when.being assembled in Germany but despite this it loads and shoots well. The quality of fit between components is excellent, perhaps due to.it not having seen.much use. Not bad considering that I left school a month before this rolled out of the factory in 1982.
The gun came with a small compact and basic Simmons 4x32 scope. I was going to re scope it with a Tasco 4x40 AG but to.be honest it would be a shame to over scope such a light weight springer. Ultimately I'm finding that the scope is better than I first thought under the canopy when.hunting greys and I can pick out bark from fur nicely up in.the top branches.
Talking of which the little 35 had its first victim last night and it was very satisfying hunting with an old classic. This gun.has put a big grin on my mush and sitting in.the shadows waiting for a shot with this old girl took me right back to my youth. With the only exception being this was the gun I didn't own but lusted after back then but I now have. An experience 36 years in.the making.
For a serious bit of target/plinking I will need to rescope her with something a little more high mag, but for now I'm happy with this old light weight hunter.
Unusually the gun seems to prefer heavier pellets giving near 10.7 or tad.higher with AA Diablo Field. Has anyone else found this with their 35? Its usually the reverse??
Dave

[Drew451]

Excellent stuff, Dave. 35 Super working well for you it seems. I don't think a 40mm PA scope is too much. Something like a 2-7x32 would be ideal l, maybe.
AA Diabolo Field at 16 grains would not be my choice but they are doing the business for you. 35s normally work well with the light to middleweight RWS/ H&N pellets I use but I may well give AA's a go now. I like to keep an open mind and experiment with new pellets.
How do you compare the 35S to your RWS 45? Had the safety catch/ lack of ghosting You?