Kempton 9 Dec 2018

[ptdunk]

Nice pics John,
Gutted I couldn’t make it.

Just out of interest how much was that first pistol going for?
Was that the first M&G target pistol?

Cheers,
Matt.

[Josie & John]

Nice pics John,
Gutted I couldn’t make it.

Just out of interest how much was that first pistol going for?
Was that the first M&G target pistol?

Cheers,
Matt.

Hi Matt,

Yes I believe it was but it was a display only item and not for sale. The pistol looked immaculate and had few signs of apparent use, judging by the tight action.

The fair provided a unique opportunity to handle such a fine item.

Kind regards,

John

[ccdjg]

I am not surprised that the Diana 8 pistol, as it was known in MGR catalogues, was for display only as they are amazingly rare, especially outside Germany. In more than 30 years of collecting air pistols I have only ever come across four examples, two of which were not in the UK .

Considering that they were on the market for a period of 4-5 years (about 1910 – 1914) and were even retailed in the UK by Gamages (rebranded as the Holborn) it is difficult to understand why almost none have survived.

Lawrie’s fine example photographed by John at Kempton (and also pictured in the Vintage Airgun Gallery) is marked “Diana”, whereas my own lucky find shown below is simply marked “Patent”, which makes me think that it may have been one of the Gamages guns.

As these pistols are so rare, I would be very interested to know of any other examples that members may have come across, and if possible what markings they had.

[le frelon]

A big thank you to Pete and Liz and everyone involved, simply the best.
Great to meet up with some of the regulars and to meet up with some new ones, hello again to Andrew M.

I spent the time on the opposite side of the table selling off a few bits to fund yet another 'item of interest'. I did indeed find my next dream purchase,not airgun related and many others have drooled over it. That Japanese carbine (see John's pictures ) was superb and I was invited to pick it up for closer inspection. Now that thing was heavy! What superb craftsmanship, not just that amazing barrel, but all over. That thing is museum quality. I wonder if it had been fired at all?
Interestingly there was no price on it and I didn't dare ask. I'd have never got away with trying to explain why I'd sold the house!
Carl

[ptdunk]

Thanks John’s.
I remember reading about it in John G’s excellent book, so it rang a bell,
thanks to John M. for photographing it, you never know, another one might pop up one day 🤞

There’s treasure out there.....

Matt.

[Dutch]

Such a shame that I wasn't able to attend last minute! saw you guys had a blast, another great event, cheers Pete! next time present for sure.

[RichardH]

I am not surprised that the Diana 8 pistol, as it was known in MGR catalogues, was for display only as they are amazingly rare, especially outside Germany. In more than 30 years of collecting air pistols I have only ever come across four examples, two of which were not in the UK .

Considering that they were on the market for a period of 4-5 years (about 1910 – 1914) and were even retailed in the UK by Gamages (rebranded as the Holborn) it is difficult to understand why almost none have survived.

Lawrie’s fine example photographed by John at Kempton (and also pictured in the Vintage Airgun Gallery) is marked “Diana”, whereas my own lucky find shown below is simply marked “Patent”, which makes me think that it may have been one of the Gamages guns.

As these pistols are so rare, I would be very interested to know of any other examples that members may have come across, and if possible what markings they had.

It’s not the most elegant of guns is it?

[watchsapart]

It was a great day! still buzzing, and playing with new toys, got Webley pistols covering my conservatory floor, love it.

[harvey_s]

There's always one with a Hi-Viz waistcoat and a carrier bag...

[Binners]

There's always one with a Hi-Viz waistcoat and a carrier bag...

Only One? The others can normally be found scoffing at the famous 'Abert' catering establishment

[ccdjg]

It’s not the most elegant of guns is it?

Well I guess you either love 'em or hate 'em, but they ring my bell

[RichardH]

Well I guess you either love 'em or hate 'em, but they ring my bell

That’s a very valuable little cabinet..

[micky2]

Well I guess you either love 'em or hate 'em, but they ring my bell

What a superb and very rare collection you have there.

[ccdjg]

Thanks Micky. It did take 35 years to put together though, and in fact the last gun to be added to the collection was the 7th pistol down, only acquired 3 weeks ago. So patience (and a lot of luck) is the name of the game rather than deep pockets (although that does help). Each one has a story to tell, and the most cash I ever parted with for a single item was £600, at an auction. The bellows pistol (number 1) is a bit of a fraud as I made it myself ( http://www.airgunbbs.com/showthread....Bellows+pistol). If an original ever came on the market it probably fetch near £10k, hence the incentive for DIY !

[Garvin]

It’s not the most elegant of guns is it?

It's funny, Richard, some years ago I would have wholeheartedly agreed with you but now I can hardly imagine anything more elegant! Maybe I'm just fickle, or knowing it's old and very rare = beauty to me!

I used to think prewar BSAs were the most ungainly air rifles made but now I can't look at one without admiring its lovely lines and genius design. Equally, I used to absolutely love the Tyrolean match stocks from Walther etc on their match rifles, but now just rather like them, so it does sort of work both ways.

Somehow I doubt I'll ever feel passionate about modern production guns, so there must be more to it than just fickleness....