Diana Diana Model 72

I recently acquired my uncles Diana model 72. I’ve heard these are very rare. Does anyone have any information on these air rifles? I typically do not collect air guns so I’m open to letting it go but don’t really know what it’s worth.
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It's a nice little recoilless spring-piston rifle of meager power; excellent for growing kids. They are rare, probably because they never sold well.

That being the case, expect value estimates to be all over the map; especially from airgunners unfamiliar with that model. I put it at $300-400 IF healthy and functioning perfectly. Deduct $100-150 if not.

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Those are VERY rare, and quite valuable in the right circumstances. It's one of the highest-quality, really small and light, dedicated target air rifles ever made, and the Giss double-piston recoilless mechanism is a huge plus. I had a model 70 for a while and was very impressed, the 72 is another big step up.

As an aside, Diana is missing a sure bet not to include the nifty peep sight adaptations for all their current rifles.

I also agree with AirNGasman's price estimate. (IMHO the Blue Book under-values modern Dianas in general...but that's a conversation for another day, ha.)
 
By the way, prospects will have to know if it is healthy, or needs rebuilding. A chronograph string of say, 25 shots with light .177 pellets in the 7-8 grain range would be a good start to get the ball rolling.

Cool gun; good luck.(y)
I tried to put a couple pellets through it today. It sounds as if it’s firing but the pellets are not being shot. Any idea what may cause that issue?
 
it will need to be rebuilt and it would be the new owners or your job but the going rate is what about 175.00 to 225.00 with shipping
the market for that rifle is large, you have Giss collectors, Diana and youth collectors and with them seldom seen for sale it is a sellers market but with the need of a rebuild the price goes down
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it will need to be rebuilt and it would be the new owners or your job but the going rate is what about 175.00 to 225.00 with shipping
the market for that rifle is large, you have Giss collectors, Diana and youth collectors and with them seldom seen for sale it is a sellers market but with the need of a rebuild the price goes down View attachment 395360
Do you have any recommendations on contacts in order to have it repaired?
 
I tried to put a couple pellets through it today. It sounds as if it’s firing but the pellets are not being shot. Any idea what may cause that issue?
Another vote for Dave Slade, if it needs a rebuild. BUT, first check the BREECH seal - a simple O-ring.

Nothing is impossible of course, but unless the previous owner did something truly idiotic - like dry-fire it hundreds of times - I'd be surprised if the piston seals in such a nice-condition example are gone. I'm pretty sure the 70 / 72 were made with the tough modern Diana blue seals, not the destined-to-crumble white nylon ones of their early Giss guns.
 
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Those are VERY rare, and quite valuable in the right circumstances. It's one of the highest-quality, really small and light, dedicated target air rifles ever made, and the Giss double-piston recoilless mechanism is a huge plus. I had a model 70 for a while and was very impressed, the 72 is another big step up.

As an aside, Diana is missing a sure bet not to include the nifty peep sight adaptations for all their current rifles.

I also agree with AirNGasman's price estimate. (IMHO the Blue Book under-values modern Dianas in general...but that's a conversation for another day, ha.)
Any idea how many of these were made? You NEVER see these for sale.
 
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