Looking for some input on this target rifle.
Winchester sold German-made Diana airguns under their own name from about 1968 to 1975. The “Winchester 333” is the top of the heap: a re-badging of the Diana model 65 10-meter match rifle (note, a few very late 333’s were actually Diana model 66’s; identical to the 65 except for the stock. Winchester also sold the 66 stock as a replacement/repair component). Like pretty much all match-grade air rifles, they are big, heavy, and shoot around 600 fps.
You can see pics of the models 65 and 66 here:
https://forum.vintageairgunsgallery.com/post-war-diana-air-rifles/diana-model-65/
https://forum.vintageairgunsgallery.com/post-war-diana-air-rifles/diana-model-66/
The Diana model 65/66 is a fantastic piece of work. You could argue with a straight face, that it is the most advanced break-barrel spring-piston rifle ever built. It combines the Giss double-piston recoil-elimination system, a manually-locked breech, heavy removable barrel sleeve weight, vertically-adjustable buttplate, and top-quality barrel, trigger, and sights; all wrapped up in beautiful pre-war quality polished blued steel and walnut construction. The 65 was available with either standard “Olympia” or Tyrolean woodwork, both of which were replaced by the 66’s angular stock.
The bad news, is the guns are mechanically quite complex, and the original nylon seals literally turn to dust over time. Parts and service are still out there, but getting the work done can be tricky. If you are looking at buying one, inquire carefully about its history and if it’s been rebuilt.
It is absolutely pristine with exception of the butt pad having some dry rot at the toe. It is currently on it's way to Minor hill. oh and keep the topic rolling please.
Like Mike said, they are a beautiful piece of airgun engineering. Not a powerful or long-distance shooter, but absolutely sublime to shoot. I used to have a Diana 66, which was probably my all-time favorite among the classic 10M guns. Many people dislike the angular 66 stock, but for my tastes, it fit and felt just about perfect.
If you fancy yourself a tinker-tuner, these Giss guns are actually best left to those who (really) know what they're doing. But when healthy with good seals and proper piston timing, (yes, that's a thing,) they are some of the most satisfying spring piston rifles you will ever have the pleasure to shoulder and shoot.
Excellent! We will be expecting some pictures soon, heh, heh.
In that time frame, Diana and some other manufacturers used a red rubber for buttplates, which seems to perish from internal chemical reactions over time. Keeping something like Armorall on them will help, and there were black rubber replacements ones made, but those are hard to find.
I don’t own a 65/66, but do have two copies of its predecessor, the model 60, which is quite similar in appearance to the 65 but slightly smaller. Danny Garvin kindly placed my pics on his forum here:
https://forum.vintageairgunsgallery.com/post-war-diana-air-rifles/diana-model-60/#post-2471
https://forum.vintageairgunsgallery.com/post-war-diana-air-rifles/diana-model-60/#post-2472
Just IMHO the quality of the woodwork on the Diana 60-series rifles is quite underrated. They have a genuine oil finish and very fine checkering that frankly puts contemporary HW, Walther, and FWB guns to shame, some of which I think shows in these photos.
It does have the red butt. Thanks for all the input so far and am waiting for more. Was told it would be 5 wks out so no pics till then.
https://www.waffencenter-gotha.de/shop/DIANA:.:2.html?filter_id=274
parts and that butt pad that seem to be always damaged from sitting on there butts
need help understanding the Waffencenter site message me
Well I don’t know that I have too much more random gushing to do, LOL, but will be happy to answer any specific questions as best as I can.
I love mine
It is my favourite 10M gun. I equipped mine with an AOS Microsight and it is a dream to shoot.
And I have, so I can compare directly with other great Match airguns: an Anschütz 380, a DIANA 75, a DIANA 100, and a Steyr LG100. Yes it is THAT good.
I recently changed the buttpad and I have a Tyro stock that needs some fitting. In these guns, the stock is PART of the action.
Congratulations on your find, please post pictures and enjoy!
HM
Thank you Sir ! And all others. I just received the box with rear sight, rubber cup, frnt aps., wrench and manual. The fella I bought it from said it had never been shot previuos to him buying it. What I do need is a butt pad to bring it full circle.
if you order from Waffencenter get every part you might need
because they need a wire transfer and World Remit works for that
you need your computer to translate for you, i use Google
i print a parts page in German and scan it and then send that in an email to Enrico
shipping is going to be 26 to 30 euro normal cost and at that don't be in a hurry, there shipping is fine but DHL Germany is not
Waffencenter has the best prices i have seen and have used them many times
any question you have just message me
take care
mike
Ineed the red pad replaced, Thanks wolfram!
Photobucket suppressed all my online pics... wonder if this copy and paste will work?
Really one of the nicest air rifles I own, there is nothing quite like it. It loves AA Falcons.
Thank you! How did you accomplish that?
It is absolutely pristine with exception of the butt pad having some dry rot at the toe. It is currently on it's way to Minor hill. oh and keep the topic rolling please.
Hey, curious how everything worked out; were you happy with the results? Just sent mine off for the spa treatment.
Hey sorry for not staying up to date. Got it back and have shot it just to see what it is like. Have not crono'nd it yet and need to find what it needs to eat. Kind of sucks now adays around my house. Fricken sheeple all walkin around with kids and dogs lookin here and there. I live in a lake sub division where 50% of the sheeple are from Ill. and normally are here just for holidays. Well now there here to avoid the plague. So I can't just go out and do what I normally do, have to go to the country club( rod & gun club) a mile away as the crow flies. Enough!
@daveshoot Acomplish what? If you are refering to the double trigger they come with it as a option.
Yes - just for the record, the twin trigger blades are not a double-set trigger. It's just a simple stamped-metal blade that serves to adjust the pull length! Seems odd, but unlike most of their competitors of the day, there is no way to move the trigger blade on the Diana 60-series barrel-cockers.
The model 65/66 action has a threaded hole for mounting the supplemental blade, as do later examples of the model 60 (which, oddly enough, stayed in production as Diana's intro and junior model into the early 80's, long after its supposed successors had given way to the fixed-barrel model 75).
Hi, new to the forum...
I own a Winchester 333 that my dad bought me in 1975. He kept it for a couple of decades, and recently have it back to me. It it a beautiful piece and still shoots very well. I haven't chrono'd it, but I suspect it might be a tad slow. I believe dad a a seal replacement done, but I'm wondering what else (lube, etc) it might need. Are manuals still available?
Thanks,
Dave
Look here:
https://forum.vintageairgunsgallery.com/vintage-diana-resources/diana-milbro-airguns-manuals/
There is a lot more information about other stuff there, but if you save all the images, you can have what you want in your PC.
HTH
HM
