Help IDing Diana Model 50

[Geezer]

Dianas were and are a brand name of Mayer and Grammelspacher (Diana) of Germany.

Milbro (Millard Brothers) of Scotland gained the "Diana" trademark for the UK, and the pre-WW2 gun making machinery from M&G as WW2 reparations (Webley nearly bought the machinery, but instead just copied the Diana 45 as the MkIII). Hence UK Milbro Dianas.

M&G was reconstituted around 1950, but had to sell guns in many markets other than the UK. Examples include Original (for the UK, esp), Gecado, RWS, Winchester, etc. But they could still sell in Germany as Dianas.

Milbro folded in the late 70s or so. When the UK "Diana" name reverted to, er, M&G Diana (of Germany). But M&G have continued to sell Dianas under brand names like RWS. And mostly recently Chinese guns not made by M&G as M&G Dianas.


Clear? As mud?

[Hsing-ee]

Dianas were and are a brand name of Mayer and Grammelspacher (Diana) of Germany.

Milbro (Millard Brothers) of Scotland gained the "Diana" trademark for the UK, and the pre-WW2 gun making machinery from M&G as WW2 reparations (Webley nearly bought the machinery, but instead just copied the Diana 45 as the MkIII). Hence UK Milbro Dianas.

M&G was reconstituted around 1950, but had to sell guns in many markets other than the UK. Examples include Original (for the UK, esp), Gecado, RWS, Winchester, etc. But they could still sell in Germany as Dianas.

Milbro folded in the late 70s or so. When the UK "Diana" name reverted to, er, M&G Diana (of Germany). But M&G have continued to sell Dianas under brand names like RWS. And mostly recently Chinese guns not made by M&G as M&G Dianas.


Clear? As mud?

M&G (Diana) also made some rifles for Webley in England.

[45flint]

Thanks much, I didn’t realize that Diana could still use that name in Germany, so now this makes more sense. Looking at the old brochures it does look like their 50b probably 50’s? which it cool. It’s in amazing condition for a gun that old, kind of a match for my BSA MK2 Airsporter.