Diana 48/52 history

[Drew451]

Oof. Slightly easier than 34 chronology but most things are. There has been good input so far on the thread and many angles covered.

I maybe wrong but I thought the 52 was introduced first in late 1986. I think Frank Dyke still had the upper hand as I recall there seemed to be more Originals than Diana or RWS 52"s in the earliest years. Soon there were Firebird 52's also, but I believe this branding as being quite short lived, most being from 1989 until 1992ish. The 48 seemed to be far less common then and it gave me the impression that it was released late. I may be mistaken.

The "Frank Dyke Specials" have the CS walnut stocks and I've always thought they had standard internals. The thumbhole stock is a fair lump of wood and, for me, it makes this variant a range or hide gun. As has been said earlier TO1's had a bit more in the way of steel fittings about them -front sight assembly, trigger blade and guard.

Like a lot of M&G ways and means, I'm not sure there was any rhyme or reason to the 48/52/Classic stampings as these seemed to turn up in many markets. In the UK, its most associated with the Original brand.

The 48B was the main variation in the UK and it later became known as the Black Pro. There were a few variations on the TO5 era 52, mostly based on the stock fitted, 52 Superior and Luxus, but there was a 48 with a stock with an adjustable cheekpiece that I have never seen in the UK. The 52 Ultra Carbine looked very cool and I have only ever seen it in .22. An HC in the thumbhole stock would be something special.

Leaving the 54 aside, the model lives on as the 48 only. Diana continuing to pare back their German made model range.

[Geezer]

Good stuff, thanks. As I understand it a Superior had a plain walnut stock, the Luxus had beech (?) but with chequering on the grip and fore-end and a contrasting very dark wood fore end tip. And both are pretty rare.

[Drew451]

Good stuff, thanks. As I understand it a Superior had a plain walnut stock, the Luxus had beech (?) but with chequering on the grip and fore-end and a contrasting very dark wood fore end tip. And both are pretty rare.

Im not totally sure. I always thought that one had a walnut stock and the other had a plain beech stock "dipped?" to produce a very fancy walnut looking stock with a hint of laminate effect. I do recall the dark wood forend tip though.
Occasionally, I think about biying a new 48 and fiddlimg with it over time. Im up to my neck in projects I have no time for as it is though.

[ikarma70]

Good stuff, thanks. As I understand it a Superior had a plain walnut stock, the Luxus had beech (?) but with chequering on the grip and fore-end and a contrasting very dark wood fore end tip. And both are pretty rare.

My original 52 has a chequered pistol grip and fire end and no dark section, so many variations gets confusing!

[HW777]

Good stuff, thanks. As I understand it a Superior had a plain walnut stock, the Luxus had beech (?) but with chequering on the grip and fore-end and a contrasting very dark wood fore end tip. And both are pretty rare.

I have a Diana catalogue that shows the 52 Luxus with a rather nice walnut stock and rather plain coloured to match the stock fore end tip.

Superior Diana models had dipped stocks from the info I've read

The really rare model from Diana could well be the Mod. 46 Stutzen Prestige with walnut stock and carvings in front of the butt pad and hand cut checkering but maybe not that much rarer than a factory walnut stocked 52

And just to add, a slightly scaled down model 48/52 & 54 made for our market would have been a peach of a rifle

[original45]

I have a recollection the 52 variant first arrived in 86 and to cut costs slightly a 48 model with plain stock was introduced a year ish latter ?

[T 20]

I have a recollection the 52 variant first arrived in 86 and to cut costs slightly a 48 model with plain stock was introduced a year ish latter ?

I have a feeling that my 52 is from 1986 --- I'll have to dig it out and have a look tomorrow.

[T 20]

I have a feeling that my 52 is from 1986 --- I'll have to dig it out and have a look tomorrow.

My mistake --- 02 87