Rare Diana 2 pistol missed at auction

[slug-gun]

Not like this one! The one on eGun is much more common. This one has smooth grips back and front, hence John saying it's rare.

Just because something is rare, doesn't always mean it will be valuable, sought after or desirable? I think perhaps this Diana is a case in point?

[Garvin]

Just because something is rare, doesn't always mean it will be valuable, sought after or desirable? I think perhaps this Diana is a case in point?

True enough. There can't be many specialist collectors of postwar pop-out pistols. But usually someone can be persuaded to buy something when they know very few exist, I suppose.

[ccdjg]

True enough. There can't be many specialist collectors of postwar pop-out pistols. But usually someone can be persuaded to buy something when they know very few exist, I suppose.

What makes something desirable is very subjective, and I don't think we can be dismissive of one person's idea of desirability simply because it doesn't fit in with our own perceptions. Desirability can come from the accepted monetary value of an object, from a sheer admiration for the object, from what memories the object evokes, or from the challenge it provides in completing a collection. It only takes two people to want a rare object for any of those reasons to make it financially valuable.


Concerning this particular Diana pistol, it probably only fits into the category of 'completing a collection', lacking any other virtues. But to the collector with a particular interest in the history of the air pistol, it will be desirable, and he will not have to be 'persuaded to buy it', though he may need to be informed that it exists.

[Garvin]

Apologies. You're right, I shouldn't be dismissive of pop-outs.

I think I've been terminally scarred by owning nothing but a Gat for a couple of years in the '70s.

[Geezer]

Apologies. You're right, I shouldn't be dismissive of pop-outs.

I think I've been terminally scarred by owning nothing but a Gat for a couple of years in the '70s.

They’re not my thing (I prefer guns that aren’t rubbish and can actually hit things), but I can fully understand why some collectors get fascinated by pop-outs. They are an important part of the history of the sport.

[ptdunk]

Accuracy is a prerequisite for a spot in my air pistol collection...but there will always be three or four pop-outs in there, just from a historical importance point of view.
I just make the target bigger!

Matt

[dvd]

What makes something desirable is very subjective, and I don't think we can be dismissive of one person's idea of desirability simply because it doesn't fit in with our own perceptions. Desirability can come from the accepted monetary value of an object, from a sheer admiration for the object, from what memories the object evokes, or from the challenge it provides in completing a collection. It only takes two people to want a rare object for any of those reasons to make it financially valuable.


Concerning this particular Diana pistol, it probably only fits into the category of 'completing a collection', lacking any other virtues. But to the collector with a particular interest in the history of the air pistol, it will be desirable, and he will not have to be 'persuaded to buy it', though he may need to be informed that it exists.

Agree 100%. My collecting interests always centered on airguns with different actions. Subtle differences in woodwork and/or rarity go unnoticed to me.
Popouts like the Diana 2 are another action type to me and I have a popout which I never hit anything with😀, but it nevertheless has its place in my collection.
A while ago I became aware of a peep sight for an airgun that is squarely in the hen's teeth category. The very instant I became aware of its availability, I realized that I would be in competition with others for it. I would not have known about it if there was no heads-up in the first place. I did not buy it, others beat me to it.

Obviously spreading the word is only good if one is not directly interested.
C'est la vie.