RWS, Original, Diana

[Drew451]

You have a very rare rifle there but one for niche tastes. I believe that model is based on the older 50, despite the longer cocking lever. Hence no safely.
They can be very nice shooters, better than the T01 in my opinion. Getting some kind of rear sight on it should be easy but Im not sure about a front sight from what you have said. Best get the tape off and see what you've got under there.

[Ajf123]

Thanks. As I reflect I’m not worried about power. This is for plinking and 20m targets. I’m going to get my local specialist to service it and clean it up and try and deal with the very worn finish round the butt and the barrel scratches without damaging the rest of the finish which is okay and possibly original. It has got a dovetail muzzle so the round Diana foresight is going to most practical and a Diana 45/48 rear sight.

I can’t imagine how it would feel with a scope - the trigger and pistol grip are miles away from my eye. Another hobby of mine is classic Alfa Romeos and it’s as if Alfa’s ergonomics people did an air rifle. I think this might be open sights only.

Getting a Vulcan would have been much simpler but a 50 it had to be.

[Chippendale]

Thanks Danny...I'd completely forgotten that old bit of my blather, lol!

A couple minor notes to add - the early Beeman imports were actually marked "Beeman's (not "Beeman") Original;" and a couple other brand names used were "Condor" and "Donor." I believe the former was on some oddball European-market models, and the latter by a Dutch distributor.

The model 50 was manufactured for over 30 years, sometimes with multiple variants available simultaneously, and with many evolutionary changes in stocks, sights, brand markings, and other details. You can see a great selection on Danny's "Vintage Airguns Gallery" site:

https://forum.vintageairgunsgallery....iana-model-50/

As to how an "RWS model 50" ended up in the UK, who knows! My guess would be a solo US-market example rather than a special edition...but I've been wrong plenty of times before! I'll look forward to seeing pictures of it.

Hi, I have a 50B and I’m thinking of stripping the stock, the top one in your photo gallery, do you know if the stock is finished in varnish, lacquer or simply polished, please.
Regards
Melv

Chippendale (with clothes on)

[Dornfelderliebe]

Hello Melv I've just finished stripping a stock which was factory lacquered purely by sanding down, in the process removing all the little dinks. It shall be posted to Craig for the pistol grip to be chequered, took 5 hours of sanding but looks worth it now to me, Craig to confirm.

[Chippendale]

Hello Melv I've just finished stripping a stock which was factory lacquered purely by sanding down, in the process removing all the little dinks. It shall be posted to Craig for the pistol grip to be chequered, took 5 hours of sanding but looks worth it now to me, Craig to confirm.

So it's a lacquered finish, thanks for your reply.

Regards

Melv

Chippendale (with clothes on)

[landymick]

You will know if it’s the 50 TO1 action because of the cross pin through the stock at the rear . Not having a safety catch leads it to being of the earlier type .

There are two different 50 actions with parkerised cylinders may be more knowing Diana . Both that I know of have the longer cocking lever also .
T01 ( 45 action ) has the squarer type trigger guard and the RWS non safety has the rounded trigger guard .

[Ajf123]

Definitely the earlier action as it’s got the rounded trigger guard and no x bolt.

I’d also add this thing reeks of quality. It’s all very solid metal. It’ll see me out.

[MDriskill]

Wow, this sounds like a very interesting rifle! I've never seen a "military" version of the first model 50. Please post some photos if you can.

The 50 is indeed a long and heavy airgun, they always remind me of hoisting a WW2-vintage service rifle. Considering when and where it was made, that may have been on purpose.

My older model 50's do have a varnish finish on the wood.

[Ajf123]

IMG_1114.jpg

[Drew451]

I've never had a problem with Alfa or Model 50 ergonomics. As far as the 50 goes, I find they a pleasure to use in every respect. They are long but they handle well in their various guises- for me.
They work well with the period Diana diopter sight and these come up for sale here and elsewhere from time to time.

[MDriskill]

That's a great point!

Either the Diana Diopter 60 (left) or 75 (center) will fit; the 75 T01 (right, note "T01" embossed on top) will NOT. Some examples of the D60 even came in a similar, semi-matte dark green finish instead of the usual charcoal gray or black.