Air Gun Home :: View topic - Need help identifying two childhood air rifles.

marshall.tway · New Member

Guys & Gals;
I have two older Air rifles my dad bought me as a kid living in England. They both need some parts, but I do not know what model #s they are. I would appreciate any help on a) identifying them b) where to get the parts needed. Both are break barrel type rifles. If memory serves they both 1.77 cal.

Rifle #1 is a BSA: It has a number (B62272) stamped on the left side of the receiver. The front sight post is missing (part I need) and it appears to originally have had fixed open sights. The barrel is rifled

Rifle #2 is A Diana: No other markings than an almost rubbed off logo od Diana holding the rifle above her head and a bow and arrow down by her feet. This had adjustable sights for elevation at least, though the rear sight are loose enough they move back and forth by touch, but do not come out. Front sight post is fixed. Barrel is smoothbore. I need the hinge screw that connect the arming lever (under the barrel) to barrel itself.

Thanks
Major Marshall Tway
U.S. Cavalry

fritz · Silver Status Member

Wow, don't know the models but can tell you some about them.

Do a quick Q-tip test. Grab a q-tip and push it into the barrel, if it's a tight fit then it's likely a .177.

Being that old they have leather seals, which are likely worn or cracked and won't seal.

The Diana might be missing a foregrip? I thought Dianas had their model etched into the steel under lady Diana on the receiver.

marshall.tway · New Member

Frtiz,

1. Qtip is a tight fit (like I said, I am pretty sure they are .177 as I used to shoot them both)

2. Probably do have leather seals, I have not had a chance to try and shoot them yet (worked in the eighties though).

3. No engraving under Diana, I did just find the a number under the barrel by the break-point "78060", I have no idea what it means.

4. If the Diana had a handstock I would like to know how it was attached as there is not even a bolt hole.

Marshall

Slavia · Moderator

Maybe a BSA "Cadet Major" (scroll down about 3/4 of the page)?
http://www.micksguns.com/air%20guns.htm

And possibly a pre-WWII Diana "Model 27"?
http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/3787/007no7.jpg

AirGunEric · Site Admin

I believe the first rifle is a BSA Airsporter, which was being made in one variation or another from 1948 to 2001- yours looks to be one of the 1948-1965 versions (MK I or MK II).

The second rifle- I have no idea.

broommaster2000 · Moderator

Slavia · Moderator

With the greatest respect and admiration for our esteemed collegue Eric - I think the airsporter series were underlever tap loaders.

AirGunEric · Site Admin

broommaster2000 · Moderator

According to the size, and the opinion of a Dutch forum-member, it could be a Cadet or a Cadet Major. The bigger one being, obviously, the Major. Mr. Green

marshall.tway · New Member

I do not really have much to compare the size to...
It is about the same as an M4, maybe a tad longer, but definetly a carbine form factor.

I am starting to lean towards a Cadet.

On the Diana, the closest I have seen is a G27, but I am finding technical drawing that show a forward handstock.

I appreciate all the feedback.

Marshall

marshall.tway · New Member

Anybody know where I can get the parts for these two babies, or better yet a place to get them refitted (tuned)?

The BSA still fires, though very weakly (pellet cleared the barrel 2 of 3 times). The Diana pushed the pellet about 1/3 down the barrel.

Good news they are both .177 cal.

Marshall

broommaster2000 · Moderator

Marshall,

These guys tend to have everything, why not give it a shot if you can't find something closer to home:

http://www.gunspares.co.uk/

Edit: You might want to send them an E-mail, the parts may not be listed on their site. Neutral

Slavia · Moderator

If they are leather seals, you can probably make replacements. First, try putting several drops of oil down the transfer port (the hole just behind the pellet). Leather likes to be oily and pliable.

You will read that oil is bad in the compression tube, because it will diesel and cause damaging combustion. I suggest it in this case because neither of these guns looks to be very powerful, and dieseling shouldn't be a problem.