I'm kind of curious about the value of my Diana 58 with double set triggers, pictured in my earlier thread. I'm not sure if I plan to keep it or sell it yet, if I do keep it, I'd like to have an idea of value for estate planning (I have enough airguns that my wife makes me keep a list for her).
I usually don't have a problem with determining values on things but I'm totally in the dark on this one, (I thought I might have been over paying a bit when I bought it, but evidently not). Does anyone have any idea or advice on how to set a value on this rifle if I end up deciding to sell or trade it? Or would it be better going to auction if I decide to sell it? Any advice is appreciated.
I bought it without knowing anything about it other than it being a pre-war Diana, I had just planned on re-selling it or using it for trading stock like I usually do with springers, since I really only wanted the Sheridan pistol I got with it.
I've enjoyed discussing it with everyone, searching out the little bit I could find out about it, (along with model 58's in general), and having a chance to shoot it. As I like any well made classic, now I'm undecided on selling and am considering keeping it, but I don't really collect just to collect, and springers really don't interest me very much other than academically, and if I do hang on to it for very long I'm afraid of it just ending up hidden away and forgotten in my safe, and IMO it's not a rifle that that should happen to. So I'm still straddling the fence on it.
Here is a rough guide:
https://www.egun.de/market/item.php?id=7749529#img
Not the same model and this one in particular had been in use at a shooting Club by the markings. But it sets a ballpark of what you might get on an internet operation.
If you decide to list it in one of the large and prestigious auction houses, you MAY be turned down, depending on the person actually in charge, they might think that the modifications detract from the collector value or that they add to the uniqueness of the rifle, it all depends and you would be well advised to contact a FEW of them.
This is one that has in the past, handled this model:
https://www.andersonandgarland.com/
In particular they recently sold one for over $1,500, but then it was a truly rare 0.22" specimen in prisine condition. You can see more detail here:
You can also contact The Sale Room, that is a sort of "concentrating" service gathering information from several auction houses (like Anderson and Garland):
Some years ago, one sold in the UK for even more:
But then again, the key here is the condition.
HTH
HM
@hector-j-medina-g
Thanks for the info, it gives me more options to consider. If I do auction it, I'd probably just use GB to keep life simple, although I might try trading it on one of the classifides. Condition may be something of an issue I think, although it's a little better than it looks in the pictures, and I think it's main selling point would be the triggers, also since I paid less than $300 for it any more than that would just be considered a bonus and would most likely would go back into the hobby anyway.
Hard decision though, I don't like springers in general, (just a personal bias based on gun preferences, including size and bulk, and somewhat generic appearance). I just prefer my guns in most cases to have a size in proportion to caliber. This also applies to co2, pumpers, PCP's, and powder burners, not just springers. I don't mind big, bulky, or heavy guns, but they need to be a big, heavy caliber. I had a gen 2 synthetic Marauder in .25 for a while and didn't like it at all because of the bulk, but I do enjoy my Disco and Maximus (will be culled from the herd soon to make more room though), I also like my Airforce Condor, and Gamo Urban (after I removed the plastic growth from the end of the barrel).
This 58 is longer and heavier than my elk rifle, but it's actually pleasant to shoot. It is, or seems to be, more streamlined and better balanced than most other bigger airguns, and the 3 shots I've fired with it seemed much smoother than other springers I've shot.
The loading and firing process also reminds me somewhat of shooting big bore sidelock powder burner replicas (CF, and ML'er) which is another hobby I enjoy. I also like the looks of the 58. If I do keep it it will be as a shooter.
The biggest springer I have that I like to shoot once in a while is a BSA Mercury MK2, my other keepers are a Diana made HyScore 813, and an FWB 124 plain stock that I haven't shot yet because I'm guessing it needs seals (it was a safe queen and the seller didn't remember if he ever shot it, and it still had a Beeman hang tag on the trigger guard when I got it) and I've not had time to get to it yet (it might go soon too if I don't get to it soon). I also have hung onto a couple Diana 34 t05's but I don't like shoot them, they're bigger than my elk rifle also. I just keep them around for airgun curious friends who want to try something a bit faster than my normal fare.
.
Nobody can argue with tastes.
My personal CF was a Steyr SSG, so you can imagine that an 11# rifle/scope weight does not grate me at all.
I also loved my Creedmoor Remington Rolling Block in 0.40"-120 Sharps. Also an 11# rifle with Tang sights and wind-gauge front.
I also had built a Charge Stopper using an old steel BLR that was rebarelled to 0.416" Taylor, another 11# gun with a 1-4X Helia
My rimfires were two Steyr Zephyr's, one in a Mannlicher stock with set triggers, and another with a double stage, single trigger in a "de-luxe" half stock.
I love my D54's, LGV, 430L, and my "lightweight" airguns are a 430 Stutzen and a D34k that has been converted to NTec gas spring... So, nowhere near what you like, but again, no one can argue with tastes.
If you do think that size and power need to go hand in hand, you should heft a DIANA Stormrider, lightest and nimblest of the PCP's.
The fun part about analyzing the pictures of your rifle has been imagining HOW it came to be. And WHY it ended up in France. I could write a romantic novel around that, LOL!
Whatever you decide to do, thank you for sharing the pictures & the story!
Keep well and shoot straight!
HM
@hector-j-medina-g
The variety is one of the reasons I enjoy airguns, there is something for every taste, and it's easy to step outside the comfort zone to try something new. I do like your choice in powder burners but probably should jump out of that topic and back to air. I always like to learn the why and how of things when I can, and have also ejoyed the speculation on the 58. I' been considering a Stormrider or possibly a Plinkster co2 version. I also want to try the Dragonfly pump version. Might put my Disco or Maximus up for trade for one or the other and see what happens.
The Stormrider is a good platform and easy to pump, it can be made much more efficient than the Discovery or the Maximus.
If you punch this line into the search line in google you will get quite a lot of information:
ctcustomairguns.com Stormrider
The Dragonfly is an interesting beast It would be the greatest barn-pigeon-gitter in 0.25" Cal
Keep well and shoot straight!
HM
@hector-j-medina-g
The variety is one of the reasons I enjoy airguns, there is something for every taste, and it's easy to step outside the comfort zone to try something new. I do like your choice in powder burners but probably should jump out of that topic and back to air. I always like to learn the why and how of things when I can, and have also ejoyed the speculation on the 58. I' been considering a Stormrider or possibly a Plinkster co2 version. I also want to try the Dragonfly pump version. Might put my Disco or Maximus up for trade for one or the other and see what happens.
I can HIGHLY recommend both the Plinkster and the Dragonfly. I have one of each in .177, as well as a couple of Diana Chasers. The SPA CO2 guns strongly benefit from the AoA free-flight hammer de-bouncer. Expect about a 30-35% increase in gas mileage with no power loss. The Diana-branded SPA guns come with a very nice adjustable 2 stage trigger. My Plinkster and Dragonfly didn't, but the aftermarket trigger from AoA solved that issue. For ease of use, my Plinkster is just about my favorite gun to grab and shoot.
There's another simple trick for the Dragonfly that I won't go into here. Just search Dragonfly. It really is the modern pump gun we've been waiting for.
