This was my first firearm at the age of four,I am now nearly 70. It was a great introduction into firearms for a future life as a farmer and soldier handling weapons for the majority of my life. It taught me weapon discipline at a young age . There was no issue with the gun misfiring when putting a loaded tube in. I used pellets when outside and darts in the house when firing at dartboard. Nice to see one even if it was in such poor condition.
This brought back memories. my grandfather had one of these. As a boy I remember finding it in a drawer without the internal barrel. I thought it was a cork gun and used it like that. It wasnt until some years later when he died I found the pellet barrel in the attic and was able to reunite it with the cork gun. I used .177 pellets and a little lubricant and it came alive again. Yes you could still see the pellet travel. Thanks for video.
The easiest way to load the Diana Model 1 is to cock it and then drop a BB down the barrel, no removing the barrel tube each time. The Webley ACCU BB 4.5mm/.177 copper jacket lead BBs work well. Paul Shave.
Thank you for this video. I’ve learnt some things about my dads Diana rifle which he gave me years ago. I would love to get a copy of the instructions for it
Hi, this is an update regarding myself having two of these rifles, I searched in the metal box in which they were in and actually found one of the internal barrels so happy days, I just need internal barrel now .
I had one 65 years ago and the barrel sometimes fell out after firing because the barrel thread got worn. It was hopeless fir accuracy but fun to use as it couldn’t hurt a fly.
I just picked one of these up at an antique shop, great condition and still "works" but it's missing the barrel insert and trigger guard, trigger guard can be made but the actual barrel insert works like a magazine and seems to be very hard near impossible to find a replacement for.
Great vid. I've had one since I was a kid and never knew what cal it was supposed to shoot. My kids now use it and between us we must have shot a million potatoes out of it.
Hi thanks for the great info. I have one. Made in GB. Similar condition but with the internal barrel missing. I think it's 1966. Are the internal barrels available?. Many thanks John Butler
Had one of these new in 59. I think that you will find that it is designed to fire (non waisted) "single" pellets as waisted pellets (diablo's) were difficult to load and used to cause jamming.
That's it - kork guns worked the same way. I wondered where I knew this weird wire mechanism of ? It was childrens toy kork guns witch one could buy on a fair in my childhood. Ok, these was just a bit smaller and from more flimsy sheet metal than this diana model 1. ;) So that's where Diana started.
Interesting but a few technical points come to mind. What is there to stop the ball rolling down the barrel? More modern BB guns firing steel shot use a small magnet. I would expect a little piece of springy steel wire perhaps? The lack of 'go' could be down to a 'tired' spring, dried out or leaky piston (leather cup?) or air leaks in general. It does look that with the rivetted construction access to the internals may be impossible. I fully agree that the 'official' loading instructions are potentially dangerous even given the low power. The cocking arrangement is like on tinplate pop-guns of the 50s era when I was a kid. Overall, it's mechanically interesting and if the power is as stated, I think that below 1ft/lb in the UK such a gun technically is no longer classed as a firearm. Anyway, don't go shooting any tigers just yet!
If you ever lose the barrel anew one can be made using a .22 barrel liner. In my neck of the woods there's a nickel plated one that looks almost new for sale for about 100 US dollars. No box.
Excuse me but I am currently in possession of one of these rifles but I am missing the barrel part, does using a .22 barrel liner really work and with what ammo did you use?
I have two of these guns but mine have made in england with the scout logo at the top of the barrel , mine do not have the internal barrels . Thanks the film very interesting 🙂😊
Vey well done review, the spread in speed seems to be due to varying pellet diameters/quality/weight and therefore not particularly accurate at the target but a nice little gun :)
I had one of these..You could stick the Barrel into a Potato and fire Spuds out of it! I´d shoot Flies on the Ceiling,much to my Mothers annoyance..Marks all over,the Room.
G’day mate. Great video. I have a 1961 my grandpa gave me in the 70s. Dad took the barrel and I would like to fix it. Is there any chance you could get me some good measurements of the inner barrel / slug tube as I am going to make one. Thanks in advance. Howie
Great video,thanks for sharing you have earnt a sub! Ive been eying one of these of for sale, not to sure if i really want one! On shooting smoothebores, my mate has a very old (id say 30's as well, but its so worn no way to read stamp on but, got another later 27 thats rifled as well, stupidly accurate that one!) model 27 which is smoothbore, shoots normal pellets fine,a favourite being stoeger match X wad cutters, to be honest most rifles (between us we have a lot,predominatly vintage Dianas) like this pellet.Might try get some balls to shoot out of the old smoothy, do have some darts but have never tried them.Oh i forgot to add, i suspect the smoothebore 27 has a tad more power than the rifled one! Havent got a chrony yet to confirm but from penetration tests i believe it is.
I've not had much experience with smoothebore guns as I don't have many proper vintage guns. I'm told normal pellets generally work well, but I just couldn't get them to go in this Diana without ruining skirt in the process. Seeing as these are pretty cheap I'd say it's worth picking one up if you collect vintage Dianas.
If you lose the barrel...1/4" X 20swg metal tube has a nominal bore diameter of 0.178" and would be ideal if still obtainable. 0.22 barrel liner is altogether a different calibre so not suitable!
Hi, if you want a cheap air rifle look up "Baikal MP-61". The Diana mod.1 ist already 80 years old, it wouldn´t be worth buying it unless you collect guns.
I remember a write up in Airgun World which stated the model 1 produced around 1ft lb of energy. And went on to say that this was perfect for penetrating Coke cans and destroying toy soldiers. I haven't seen one for many years. I seem to remember Lanes Cat Slugs were their prefered diet.
Something is wrong with your gun, I have a Model 1 and it fires at 270 fps and is reasonably accurate, the problem with accuracy is the barrel not screwing in to the same position each time, make a small mark on the barrel and one on the pellet holder with tipex or similar and make sure they line up each time when you tighten up, with pellets not firing, as you say they don't make the old slugs anymore, but you can use waisted pellets if you start them by pushing in with a small punch or similar, not tried lead bb I had one when I was about 8 years old (now 71) and used to pot sparrows with it, they are great fun to use, your review doesn't do them justice from Ron.....
Hi Ron. Thanks for your comment. You could be right and that it is an issue with that particular gun. It wasn't mine and I don't know the history of it, but it wasn't in very good cosmetic condition.
Another problem with this old gun is the barrel gets full of dirt and lead bits accumulated over the years , it must be completely clean and polished smooth, anyway nice to see the old gun in action :)
Not exactly good enough to shoot tigers with then. Awful design, awfully dangerous, well, maybe not with such low power. Awful accuracy (what accuracy) But good for hanging on a wall. Nice informative video there JRH.
