I've got a Beeman branded "original" model 35, made by diana. Likely dates from late 1970's or early 1980's. No safety on it. I'm trying to find out if it has a leather seal (without tearing it apart!!!).

Thanks, Jon

The Model 35 used leather seals right to the end.

- RG

Thanks. Do you know if this thing is rare? I mean a beeman branded diana 35? I hate to tear into it to make it a shooter if it has more value in its original state.

is not all that rare. I would imagine the Beeman branded one is more rare though. The Model 35 came with a variety of branding, eg., Winchester, Gecado, Original, Diana, etc.

I don't think the original springs are available anymore. Diana would now just send a Model 34 spring for it. But Maccari has some springs that would fit. The spring guide is .545" in diamater. I used a JM Airsporter spring in mine and it worked well. The Airsporter spring is 30 coils of .128" wire with a .555" ID. But a similar spring with a slightly smaller ID, say .550", would be even better. The leather seal Diana used was of very good quality and holds up quite well if not abused. Groenwald still has replacements I imagine. Once sorted out properly the 35 is about a 10fpe gun in .177 cal.

-RG

The Diana 35 is one of the most common airguns out there, even 20+ years after going out of production. But the Beeman markings are indeed quite rare, and that might make a difference one of these days.

I speak from bitter experience. After selling the 35 for a few years under the "Beeman's Original" brand, the good doctor switched to the designation "Beeman model 200" for the 35. Less than 100 of these were made...I used to have a mint one, and sold it WAY too cheap!

Hi, I collected 6 diana 35 model with different trade marks like Winchester,gacado,Oreginal diana from 60s in 177 and 22cals.Mfg in guns are very good qulity with white metal Triggers,thanks,mahipal

Hi,

you can order parts here.

http://www.sportwaffen-schneider.de/product_info.php/cPath/40_97_141_217/products_id/1154

If you have problem to read German, mail me to help.

CU, Ewoodie.

that I picked up a few months back. It is in very nice shape, but needed a bit of attention on the inside. Mine was galling the cylinder so I installed some JM old skool buttons. This was after I polished the inside of the compression tube and all the other usual spots. My seal and spring were in great shape so I reused them. I lightly oiled my piston seal with 15wt synthetic RC car shock oil. Post tune it shoots very well.

Mine was full of white grease and moly when I tore it apart. If you carefully open it up and use the orginal parts I do not think it should have a negative impact on value. That's just my opinon and I'm not a formal collector.

Hopefully your seal is fine and just needs a little oil (make sure you get the right stuff!) to bring it back to life. If not, here's a DIY leather seal tutorial done by a friend of mine:

http://www.gatewaytoairguns.com/library/Making%20Leather%20Seals.htm

God luck and enjoy it, I love mine.

Brian



P.S. Thanks to the seller for the pic.

I have just purchased one being shipped today. Hy Score 809 that appears to have been purchased, shot a few times, then stored in a bedroom closet for 30 years. As a result, it has some light rust on the trigger guard and receiver that I will need to take care of.

Assuming this gun is unmolested and used very little, is there anything I should do to lubricate it before test firing? I would imagine the original factory lubes are there and may be somewhat dry. Anything short of a tear down to breath some life into it?

I'm not adverse to tearing it down and I may end up doing just that. If for nothing else, to take care of the rust and possibly send it out for re-bluing. If the rust isn't too bad, I may try and remove it but if pitted, it will have to be stripped, polished and re-blued. Any suggestions on where to go for a good re-bluing?

"but I'll be needin' that gun, fer squirrels and such."

hi..just got this nice gun with diana mod 35 on it with .22 pellets.dont know anything as an owner regarding maintenance..spares..cost of gun..paperwork..etc..pl dont laugh ..its serious..the gun fires like a beut..and i love it would really appreciate..good advice from owners and other interested parties..thanx...waitin anxiously for a reply..larsen..

For a few years there, in the early 1970's, they were one of the leading 'magnum' springers. Mine is from 1978 and does 700 fps in .177 cal. You can date yours by looking on the left side of the breech near the back of the action. There should be a date stamp like 11 78. That corresponds to the month and year.

The 35's were nice rifles that were derived from a line of similar Diana powerplants. Others here will know better that me but I think they were the 27, 35, 38, 40 with model numbers and power increasing incrementally over the years. The 35's had leather piston seals and can be kept in good condition by putting a drop or two of silicon oil into the exhaust port to keep the leather from drying out. Jim Maccari has replacement springs. A nice shooting rifle that should last a long, long time.



"but I'll be needin' that gun, fer squirrels and such."