I just acquired this RWS branded Diana Model 10 (1st gen) and am hoping someone can help with its vintage. I can find no date code on it and read the Model 10's didn't have them. It is marked made in West Germany and the serial number is 260xx. It's in great shape and fires strong. Anyone can offer a date? I'm thinking late 80's. I will chrony it shortly but the seals seem to be in good condition. Put about 10 pellets through it and there is absolutely no recoil. Quite amazing for a spring piston gun. Does anyone know how to put a scope on it if I wanted to go that route?
Rws Diana Model 10 questions?
- Thread starter Sammi68
- Start date
My SN 264XX appears to have a date code (06 82) about an inch to the right of "Made in Germany", and under the plastic thingy that wraps around the tube below the rear sight.
Upvote 0
they were made from 1974-1989
mounting a scope and not damaging the pistol---------there could be a way but you would have to make the mount and use the rear sight holes
now I did find a dovetail mounting blank on Ebay from China that I had been working up a mount for the model 5's and 6's
the lucky part was the factory sight was the same width as the blank, so placing the holes was easy but you have to relieve the back side and find the right screws so they don't go past the inside of the tube
I have a spare tube so that was easy
now the blanks are let say a bit rough but with enough elbow grease you can make them look ok and so myou can reblue them, in the model 10 flat black
they are not a perfect match on radius but close enough to work and with some weaver adapters they will work, a project 3/4 finished
to my knowledge there was no mount made by the factory
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Steel-11mm-Round-Bottom-Dovetail-Rail-Base-For-Airgun-Rifle-Laser-Sight-Scope/252885659997
now if pistol is shoot fine now and you have no history on the pistol look at the 2 side cap set screws and the rear cap screw and see if there is any sign of being removed, also how is the breech seal O-ring
if so, it has been more then likely been resealed and you should be in good shape, if it has original seal in it, they will fail very soon and I said seal because I have never seen the rear piston seal that was in bad shape where as the front seal will be a crumbly mess
just some info and maybe an idea, I'm a owner of many Giss System pistols
mounting a scope and not damaging the pistol---------there could be a way but you would have to make the mount and use the rear sight holes
now I did find a dovetail mounting blank on Ebay from China that I had been working up a mount for the model 5's and 6's
the lucky part was the factory sight was the same width as the blank, so placing the holes was easy but you have to relieve the back side and find the right screws so they don't go past the inside of the tube
I have a spare tube so that was easy
now the blanks are let say a bit rough but with enough elbow grease you can make them look ok and so myou can reblue them, in the model 10 flat black
they are not a perfect match on radius but close enough to work and with some weaver adapters they will work, a project 3/4 finished
to my knowledge there was no mount made by the factory
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Steel-11mm-Round-Bottom-Dovetail-Rail-Base-For-Airgun-Rifle-Laser-Sight-Scope/252885659997
now if pistol is shoot fine now and you have no history on the pistol look at the 2 side cap set screws and the rear cap screw and see if there is any sign of being removed, also how is the breech seal O-ring
if so, it has been more then likely been resealed and you should be in good shape, if it has original seal in it, they will fail very soon and I said seal because I have never seen the rear piston seal that was in bad shape where as the front seal will be a crumbly mess
just some info and maybe an idea, I'm a owner of many Giss System pistols
Upvote 0
one other thing that could be made to fit is this dovetail
I just tried on a model 10 tube and it is a good fit, made of aluminum, so easy to work with but you have to drill the holes dead center and of course find some screw to mount but stay out of the tube
https://www.brownells.com/optics-mounting/rings-mounts-amp-bases/rifle-bases/1-0-1-05-radius-3-8-dovetail-stock-sku080032101-40900-1748.aspx?sku=080-032-101
1 inch radius
maybe another project
I just tried on a model 10 tube and it is a good fit, made of aluminum, so easy to work with but you have to drill the holes dead center and of course find some screw to mount but stay out of the tube
https://www.brownells.com/optics-mounting/rings-mounts-amp-bases/rifle-bases/1-0-1-05-radius-3-8-dovetail-stock-sku080032101-40900-1748.aspx?sku=080-032-101
1 inch radius
maybe another project
Upvote 0
Thanks for the info on the dating and the scope idea. I'm not sure I want to do any mods to the gun, especially anything involving drilling. It's a classic and i'd hate to damage it. Was looking to see if any stock scope mounts were available. No worries, I'll just shoot it as is.
Thanks again for the info.
Thanks again for the info.
Upvote 0
As Pneumatic Addict noted, the date code is likely under the plastic sleeve at the rear of the receiver.
I don't know where you'd find one now, but back in the day Diana actually did make a short scope rail that could be fitted in place of the rear sight on the models 5, 6, and 10 pistols, using the same mounting screws. I'm not able to find an image of it, on google or even in my old RWS catalogs, but I'm pretty sure I'm not dreaming it!
I don't know where you'd find one now, but back in the day Diana actually did make a short scope rail that could be fitted in place of the rear sight on the models 5, 6, and 10 pistols, using the same mounting screws. I'm not able to find an image of it, on google or even in my old RWS catalogs, but I'm pretty sure I'm not dreaming it!
Upvote 0
No, @MDriskill, you're not dreaming it. Here is a (poor) pic of my 6m and the rail along with a close-up of the rail.
Upvote 0
Thanks tinker! At my age, confirmation that you aren't crazy is always welcome, LOL...
I was a little surprised that I couldn't find any image or even mention of the rail in a catalog or factory parts list. I want to say one came with the model 10 that I had many years ago, but can't swear to it.
I was a little surprised that I couldn't find any image or even mention of the rail in a catalog or factory parts list. I want to say one came with the model 10 that I had many years ago, but can't swear to it.
Upvote 0