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Thread: Diana Model 50 the Begining and the End

  1. #1
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    Diana Model 50 the Begining and the End

    Early this year I bought one of the earliest Diana 50s: early 1950’s. Just picked up the last Model made, 50 T01 in a pretty rare parkerized variant. Came today and it’s about like new. Hadn’t been shoot since the 1980’s so I had to take it apart and relube everything to get it working. I always thought the 50 had a military look and this model really added to that theme. Parkerized, military front winged sight, low gloss military stock finish, and strap swivel. I love the retro old school back sight. It has the massive feel of a military rifle. The person I bought it from bought a Diana Diopter back sight with it. Don’t know that I will use it but looks like a quality unit that fits on the rail. The Model 50’s during their long lifespan shared power units with the Diana 35, these last ones used the 45 power unit and lengthen the cocking level beyond the stock. Should increase the power over my old one. Chrony is tomorrow after the leather seal soaks up some oil. These were never upgraded to new modern seals, ok with me, I like old school leather, they always seem to last forever for me.

    https://imgur.com/a/l15sUtD
    Last edited by 45flint; 09-11-2018 at 02:41 AM.

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    Give us a comparison test, old chap!

    I think the 50 actually came out in 1952, with the post-war 35 emerging a year later in 53.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Geezer View Post
    Give us a comparison test, old chap!

    I think the 50 actually came out in 1952, with the post-war 35 emerging a year later in 53.
    Maybe best to say they shared power systems?

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    Your Parkerized 50 looks nice, and mint. The stock looks the usual Typ 01 pattern but without the pressed panels on trigger grip. The open sights are highly unusual but suit it to my eyes. The diopter looks like a Diopter 75.
    What date stamp is on the gun?

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    Quote Originally Posted by Drew451 View Post
    Your Parkerized 50 looks nice, and mint. The stock looks the usual Typ 01 pattern but without the pressed panels on trigger grip. The open sights are highly unusual but suit it to my eyes. The diopter looks like a Diopter 75.
    What date stamp is on the gun?
    Interesting the gun is as new so there is no wear on the date stamp but I think the parkerized finish made it difficult for the stamping to adhere? I know it’s November but only a hint of the year? 1983? (Probably right the 50 T1 in the Vintage Gallery is dated July of 1983). 35 years old no wonder the grease in the tap dried out and froze it.



    Yes the Diopter is the one used on the 75. He bought it separately at the time and that made the deal a little sweeter cause these are not cheap and its brand new. Not sure it fits the military theme of the rifle but doesn’t look out of place either?

    Last edited by 45flint; 09-11-2018 at 11:52 AM.

  6. #6
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    Thumbs up

    Both those are beauties Flint

    I think I have four mod 50's plus a Type 01, Two and a half mod45's and a couple of 35's, Have to say that they're fabulous guns if a bit of a sod to rebuild (The three ball sear type are anyhow!!)


    John
    for my gunz guitarz and bonzai, see here
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    Even with the contrasting finish, the diopter suits your 50. Not as much as its open sights though. A friend of mine bought a nice standard Typ 01 a few years ago. It is mint and it was a real struggle to move the tap lever at first. A drop of oil and a bit of patience sorted that. Yours should be the same.
    I hope to read results of your experiences with it after some range time.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Drew451 View Post
    Even with the contrasting finish, the diopter suits your 50. Not as much as its open sights though. A friend of mine bought a nice standard Typ 01 a few years ago. It is mint and it was a real struggle to move the tap lever at first. A drop of oil and a bit of patience sorted that. Yours should be the same.
    I hope to read results of your experiences with it after some range time.
    That’s interesting cause my tap was frozen. I oiled it and took it apart and the grease had just dried out from sitting for 25 years. Cleaned it off and it was fine. Chrony test came in at 720 with Hobbys, or 8 FPE not a powerhouse but better than my 1950’s model. lol We got our first cold weather with a little snow target practice may have to wait for some sun.
    Last edited by 45flint; 09-11-2018 at 09:19 PM.

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    Geoff Boxall tested a Parkerized Model 50 in the Jan 1985 issue of Airgunner. Strangely, it is based on the classic Model 50 action with 3 ball trigger, yet has an extended underlever like the Typ 01. It also has the winged front sight and the fairly familiar plastic rear sight of the time. It appears to be a bit of a Frankenstein job.
    Geoffs piece contains inaccuracies regarding 50/ 50 Typ 01 similarities but Gerald Cardew provides very good input.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Drew451 View Post
    Geoff Boxall tested a Parkerized Model 50 in the Jan 1985 issue of Airgunner. Strangely, it is based on the classic Model 50 action with 3 ball trigger, yet has an extended underlever like the Typ 01. It also has the winged front sight and the fairly familiar plastic rear sight of the time. It appears to be a bit of a Frankenstein job.
    Geoffs piece contains inaccuracies regarding 50/ 50 Typ 01 similarities but Gerald Cardew provides very good input.
    I think there was some variation in the parkerized versions. Some did have the plastic sight of the time but mine has the throwback sight like the ones on the old BSA Standards with the wheel that takes it up and down. These have the extended cocking arm because they boosted the power by sharing the power plant of the Diana 45 not the 35 as before.


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    Quote Originally Posted by 45flint View Post
    I think there was some variation in the parkerized versions. Some did have the plastic sight of the time but mine has the throwback sight like the ones on the old BSA Standards with the wheel that takes it up and down. These have the extended cocking arm because they boosted the power by sharing the power plant of the Diana 45 not the 35 as before.
    That's true re. the extended lever. But as the gun tested was based on the old 50 action, it didn't need it. It produced just over 7fpe in .177.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Drew451 View Post
    That's true re. the extended lever. But as the gun tested was based on the old 50 action, it didn't need it. It produced just over 7fpe in .177.
    Just bringing it back to life, now am getting 745 FPS, Gaylord tested a Diana 45 and got 795. There would be some loss from the tap and I have ordered some proper grease to lube and better seal the tap but it arrives next week. From research these last 50’s did move up to the 45’s powerplant. Still early in the testing, all good fun.
    Last edited by 45flint; 13-11-2018 at 01:01 AM.

  13. #13
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    Quote Originally Posted by 45flint View Post
    I think there was some variation in the parkerized versions. Some did have the plastic sight of the time but mine has the throwback sight like the ones on the old BSA Standards with the wheel that takes it up and down. These have the extended cocking arm because they boosted the power by sharing the power plant of the Diana 45 not the 35 as before.

    The finish and the sights are the same as those of the Diana Mod 30 R.
    Nice mod 50 you have there, well done.

  14. #14
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    In my early days of airgunning (Mark 1 Airsporter) I yearned for a Model 50. I just thought they looked the dog's business and I imagined them to have enormous power. Of course in those days I had never heard of a chronograph and stuff like "foot pounds". It was all to with how flat the pellet was when striking an iron sheet or how well it killed stuff.


    Eventually, about 15 years ago I finally got a Model 50 and boy was I disappointed. It was producing about 7ft lb and I just got rid of it.
    Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery. Winston Churchill

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    Quote Originally Posted by Eagleman View Post
    In my early days of airgunning (Mark 1 Airsporter) I yearned for a Model 50. I just thought they looked the dog's business and I imagined them to have enormous power. Of course in those days I had never heard of a chronograph and stuff like "foot pounds". It was all to with how flat the pellet was when striking an iron sheet or how well it killed stuff.


    Eventually, about 15 years ago I finally got a Model 50 and boy was I disappointed. It was producing about 7ft lb and I just got rid of it.
    Yes my early model 50 is the same, in German they were into target guns at the time. Even with a better power plant this later model is in the 9 FPE. Reason I’m sure it didn’t continue as power was king in the 1980’s. In German these older rifles bring a premium given their limits are 6 FPE.

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