Does anyone know anything about this unusual little rifle? I've been offered one and I'm tempted to buy it, simply out of curiosity.
This example has a very slim, wooden stock (walnut?),it has a break action barrel and is manufactured primarily from 'tin plate' blued steel, folded together and secured with rivots and screw fixings (all appear original). It has 'Made in Great Britain' stamped upon it, with the stamped image of 'Diana' holding aloft a rifle. It has a small bead foresight and simple notch reasight. I think it was designed as a child's 'toy' air gun. The calibre is .177 and this one is in very good, clean, working order. Surprisingly it is quite accurate over a short distance and still has a good, if gentle 'kick.'
Main things of interest to me are:
What would be the age / year of manufacture?
Are there very many of these about or is it rare?
What was their original target market - Children, ratting, fun, etc?
And most importantly, what would the market value be?
Any information would be greatly appreciated and help me decide if to buy it for the sum requested, and if I do, whether I should treat it as an antique, or simply enjoy blasting cans and rats with it!
The British Dianas were made post-war on machinery taken from Diana in Germany - Mdl 15 is the smallest and cheapest of Diana range, a kid's gun as you've observed. Plenty of these are around, the German ones were made for a number of decades ending in the 70's or so, not rare at all. Don't know where you're located but in the US an actual price people would pay might range from $8 to $35 for a working one, though they appear at gunshows with big price tags and of course go back home with their optimistic owners.