A bit of history to begin:
+ 1963: DIana's model 60 introduced. First of their double-piston, recoilless Giss-system rifles.
+ 1968: Model 65 supercedes the 60 as Diana's top match rifle. Locked breech, heavier barrel sleeve, better stock, internal changes.
+ 1974: Model 66 replaces the 65. Very same action in a revised stock with more angular styling.
+ 1977: Model 75 replaces the 66. Fixed-barrel, sidelever-cocking, sliding-breech benchmark of recoilless springer awesomeness.
BUT...throughout all this, the model 60 refused to die! It remained as Diana's budget / junior match rifle until about 1983. Along the way, it saw some minor changes. This is a Tyro-stocked, US-import, RWS-marked model 60 manufactured in 1982:
I picked up this beauty many years ago at the old Roanoke airgun show. The action and stock looked great, but the seals and springs were toast, and the gun was "naked" - no sights or barrel sleeve. Over the years, and with the help of some pals, I managed to track down all the right bits.
1: The basic gun.
2: Internal rebuild by former Beeman technician Randy Bimrose. 680 FPS+ with light ammo, Randy said it was the hardest-shooting 60 he'd ever seen.
3:* Correct late double-sleeved front sight bought at another airgun show.
4:* Correct Diopter 75 sight with English markings found on the infamous auction site. Most 60's had the earlier, more rounded Diopter 60 sight.
5: Lovely matte-finished eye disc and rubber cup, another gun show find.
6:* Weird front trigger blade, in a bag of parts I got from a German auction. This is not a double-set trigger...just a way to adjust the reach to the trigger blade!
7:* But here is the "piece de resistance:" the correct, matte-finished barrel sleeve. Most 60's had a blued sleeve, these late matte ones are some true "unobtanium!" This is the only one I've ever seen in person, and to say the least I'm pretty stoked to have it! Thank you kingfisher61!
* Late detail that "trickled down" from the 65/66 action - not seen on most model 60's.
I will save blabbing about some of these details for another post, but here's some detail pics. These old DIanas are IMHO quite underrated as collectibles - the metal finish, oil-finished wood, gorgeous checkering, and other details are just superb.
+ 1963: DIana's model 60 introduced. First of their double-piston, recoilless Giss-system rifles.
+ 1968: Model 65 supercedes the 60 as Diana's top match rifle. Locked breech, heavier barrel sleeve, better stock, internal changes.
+ 1974: Model 66 replaces the 65. Very same action in a revised stock with more angular styling.
+ 1977: Model 75 replaces the 66. Fixed-barrel, sidelever-cocking, sliding-breech benchmark of recoilless springer awesomeness.
BUT...throughout all this, the model 60 refused to die! It remained as Diana's budget / junior match rifle until about 1983. Along the way, it saw some minor changes. This is a Tyro-stocked, US-import, RWS-marked model 60 manufactured in 1982:
I picked up this beauty many years ago at the old Roanoke airgun show. The action and stock looked great, but the seals and springs were toast, and the gun was "naked" - no sights or barrel sleeve. Over the years, and with the help of some pals, I managed to track down all the right bits.
1: The basic gun.
2: Internal rebuild by former Beeman technician Randy Bimrose. 680 FPS+ with light ammo, Randy said it was the hardest-shooting 60 he'd ever seen.
3:* Correct late double-sleeved front sight bought at another airgun show.
4:* Correct Diopter 75 sight with English markings found on the infamous auction site. Most 60's had the earlier, more rounded Diopter 60 sight.
5: Lovely matte-finished eye disc and rubber cup, another gun show find.
6:* Weird front trigger blade, in a bag of parts I got from a German auction. This is not a double-set trigger...just a way to adjust the reach to the trigger blade!
7:* But here is the "piece de resistance:" the correct, matte-finished barrel sleeve. Most 60's had a blued sleeve, these late matte ones are some true "unobtanium!" This is the only one I've ever seen in person, and to say the least I'm pretty stoked to have it! Thank you kingfisher61!
* Late detail that "trickled down" from the 65/66 action - not seen on most model 60's.
I will save blabbing about some of these details for another post, but here's some detail pics. These old DIanas are IMHO quite underrated as collectibles - the metal finish, oil-finished wood, gorgeous checkering, and other details are just superb.
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