I have been a longtime Diana owner and shooter, and I am totally frustrated at having no common resource, and starved for any and all information on my favorite manufacturers line of airguns.
I decided to try putting as much information as could be collected together in this one place, for all of us to use.
Hopefully as many questions will get answered as will be raised!
To the best of my knowlege, the Diana company was founded by Mr.Josef Grammelsplacher and Mr.Jakob Mayer, in 1890.
Production of airguns started two years later in 1892.
The line of guns is today sold under the RWS logo worldwide, but over the years the company has had many contracts to build and overstamp guns for United States companys such as Hy-Score, Beeman, and Winchester to just name a few.
There was a turbulent time shortlly after World War II when tooling was "liberated" from Germany, exported to England and Scotland where production of certain models was continued under the Milbro name. When reconstruction and rebuilding of the Greman factory was complete British and Scottish production continued alongside the German made models.
Some models were identical in quality and appearance (naturally, it was the origonal tooling) to the formerlly German produced guns. There were even Milbro Dianas sold and re-labled Daisys here in the U.S. as late as in the 1960's!
The complications and confusion that followed this post-war split, caused the German firm to stamp and designate their line as "Origonal" Dianas. The "customer" guns sold here are so marked no matter which companys name is the headstamp.
I am sure you, as well as I are confused and would love to identify and learn as much as possible about our Diana and Diana related guns.
Here's your forum to do it!
Please, read, add to, and enjoy the forum!
Hey Dave, if you want to talk to someone with a real background in air guns I'd suggest the owner of Precision Air Guns Sales, Inc. in Cleveland Ohio. His name is Charles and the phone # is 216-587-5005. His shop is nearly a shrine of collectable air rifles. Most aren't for sale as they are part of his collection but if it's available he can get it. I can't say enough great things about this guy, he has more info about air guns at his disposal (ie. in his head) than all of us will have in a lifetime of research.
Older is Better.
The correct answer is our one and only ZVP! The founder and President and CEO of "Dianawerk Collective" Pretty much on the anniversary date (give or take a few days) of the beginning of this forum!
FEBUARY OF 2002 six count em 6 years ago this month!
Yea, Harry, it is very interesting to go back in time. A lot of comments about the 350. when it was making it's debut! Interesting to see who was posting back them. I only see one recognizable name in the past 6 years and that is Driskoll and ZVP. Interesting?
