Diana Model-50

Diana Model-50B.

Another excellent set of pics from Mike D, who says:

I have to say the model 50 is a great favorite of mine. IMHO it is vastly underrated as a collectible in the US...just has never had the cachet of the BSF 54 or Falke guns, for example. Sharing powerplant and trigger with the famous model 35 barrel-cocker, it was Diana's top sporter for nearly 30 years, and was a solidly made, beautifully styled, and great-shooting gun from beginning to end.

The accuracy, reliability, fine sights, and smooth trigger make it more fun to shoot than just about any other classic taploader in my estimation. The handling and balance remind me of a Mauser K98...probably not just a coincidence!

Diana Model-50M.

Thanks to Frank for these pics of his mod 50M:

Diana Model-50A.

With thanks to Mike D for these pics, who says:

This gun appears to be the oldest of the four old target Dianas that I have. The stock details are subtly different from the 50/b, especially around the grip and comb nosing. And the trigger details are again different, note the use of the tiny pre-war style adjuster screws and different location of the adjuster access hole in the trigger guard (this album has a shot of the 50/b trigger for comparison).

All that's needed to turn a "50/a" into a "50/b" is the clamp-on peep disk of course! Otherwise the actions of the a, b, and M are identical.

Diana Model-50 - Three variations together.

With thanks to Mike for these pics:

Diana Original Model-50E.

With thanks again for these pics to John, who says:

"Here are some pics of the Original 50E, which must have been a "base" model for the UK market. This has the simple rear sight in a dovetail similar to BSA and Webley of the period, and the single element front sight. There is no rear rail as on the a,b, or M variants."

The rifle is marked "MADE IN GERMANY", as opposed to "FOREIGN" marked on earlier examples of exported Dianas.

Diana Original Model-50E - "Foreign".

Thanks to Wil for these pics:

Diana Model-50 - T01 - RWS.

This rifle is dated July 1983. With thanks to Shannon for these pics:

Diana Model-50M - Peerless.

With thanks to Mike D for these superb pics. Mike says about this rifle:

The latest addition to my little airgun fold is this Match version of the Diana model 50, in this case in .22 caliber as imported by A F Stoeger of New York, under their "Peerless" name. (Stoeger apparently just didn't believe in that wimpy little Euro .177 bore, all their larger Dianas were offered in .22 only).

The 50M was the most expensive Diana air rifle throughout the 1950's, designed to compete in early 10-meter matches against guns like the Walther LG 55 series and Weihrauch HW 55. It was discontinued in the early 60's after Diana simplified their sporter line and began introducing recoilless target rifles.

I'm only making an educated guess, but the features of this gun date it to around 1956 to 58. It is in astonishly good condition, and in perfect firing order.

Gecado (Diana) 50E 

With thanks to gallery forum member Timewell48 for posting these superb pics. 

Diana model 50b (single trigger adjuster screw) 

With thanks to Steve for these pics.

Original Model-50 ('M'-type stock and 35B-type chequering) 

Spotted on Gunstar.

Diana Model-50 Type 1 

With thanks to Eberhard for the heads up.

Mike D on the Diana Model-50M 

First posted on the American Vintage Airguns forum.

Mike says:

Before the age of recoilless match springers, DIana made target and match versions of their top two rifles, the model 35 barrel-cocker and model 50 underlever. To a European collector at least, this may be the beast in my closet worth the most $$: a first-variant Diana model 50M.

It features the early match sight that could be used as either a forward-mounted open sight, or a rear-mounted diopter; paired with a front sight that has 4 built-in posts on a rotating device.

To say it is profusely textured would be an understatement...a combination of machined grooves and hand-cut checkering, which must have been a chore in that hard beech! Note also the smooth-faced alloy blade on this early ball-sear trigger, and the fine no-slip ribbing on the solid forged cocking arm.

To say it is profusely textured would be an understatement...a combination of machined grooves and hand-cut checkering, which must have been a chore in that hard beech! Note also the smooth-faced alloy blade on this early ball-sear trigger, and the fine no-slip ribbing on the solid forged cocking arm.

And one last touch...it's a "Peerless," a US import by Stoeger's, in all-American .22 caliber ("None of that Euro-wimp .177 stuff here, Bubba!"). The rifle is in super cosmetic condition and still shooting strongly, too.