ggggr
Super member
I bloody hate doing pics. NOBODY ASK ME AGAIN!!!!
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the Daily hi thread
DIANA 25
- Thread starter ggggr
- Start date
I bloody hate doing pics. NOBODY ASK ME AGAIN!!!!
Backgardenplinker
Super member
You've done pics! 
ggggr
Super member
Update. I've found something under the breech block. It looks like 8.31 so maybe a date? Which would put it later than I thought.
The guide and cylinder end plug is all in one, with a large slot for a tool/ bit or bit of flat bar to compress the spring and then turn in to locate the peg.
The stock bracket undid easily.
The piston washer was iffy and I was going to try to get away with it until I found the obligatory panel pin in it--so I've cut it off and will have to make up a washer. Firstly I'll have to try and drill the piston washer screw lock peg out so I can undo the screw.
Oddly (Well I thought so), the piston washer screw head is a Snake eye one, requiring a forked driver. I'll probably cut a slot in it so I can use a normal screw driver.
Oh--and the trigger spring is a bit of a monster, which would account for part of the heavy trigger.
I'll have to file the barrel plunger slot a bit to let it come out further to get a better lock up.
UPDATE--a bit of a faff but managed to get the peg out of the piston at the neighbours today. There was a mishap of him breaking the drill and having to drill from the other side and knock it out.
I've had enough today. I'll probably have a go at making a piston washer tomorrow-------and see about filing the barrel barrel plunger.
Maybe I should give all this hands on stuff up and get £20 quids worth of touch up paint, t-cut and some fine wet and dry paper and start "restoring" later Webley pistols. I reckon £20 worth of materials would do quiet a few guns and be a bit less problematic than some of this old rusty and barely functioning stuff.
The guide and cylinder end plug is all in one, with a large slot for a tool/ bit or bit of flat bar to compress the spring and then turn in to locate the peg.
The stock bracket undid easily.
The piston washer was iffy and I was going to try to get away with it until I found the obligatory panel pin in it--so I've cut it off and will have to make up a washer. Firstly I'll have to try and drill the piston washer screw lock peg out so I can undo the screw.
Oddly (Well I thought so), the piston washer screw head is a Snake eye one, requiring a forked driver. I'll probably cut a slot in it so I can use a normal screw driver.
Oh--and the trigger spring is a bit of a monster, which would account for part of the heavy trigger.
I'll have to file the barrel plunger slot a bit to let it come out further to get a better lock up.
UPDATE--a bit of a faff but managed to get the peg out of the piston at the neighbours today. There was a mishap of him breaking the drill and having to drill from the other side and knock it out.
I've had enough today. I'll probably have a go at making a piston washer tomorrow-------and see about filing the barrel barrel plunger.
Maybe I should give all this hands on stuff up and get £20 quids worth of touch up paint, t-cut and some fine wet and dry paper and start "restoring" later Webley pistols. I reckon £20 worth of materials would do quiet a few guns and be a bit less problematic than some of this old rusty and barely functioning stuff.
Sorry, sorry, sorry.............didnt know you didn't like pictures........wouldnt have mattered because I'd have asked anyway 
but they are definately appreciated, so thank you for posting them. I read the description that you wrote which accompanied the pictures & it made an interesting read. I'd agree that the numbers you found on it are very possibly a date & although a little later than you might have thought initially it a pretty early example of a model 25. I'd be tempted to try to retain the standard , well standard piston washer in that one, retaining screw if you can. Everybody has a slotted screw & this one sounds a little different so I'd be keen on keeping it as it is, but maybe that's just me , probably is just me. The little bracket is an interesting discovery too, all in all it's a nice little model 25 to have come across & looks as if it might provide some fun getting it back in shooting order. Overall condition makes it look a very worthwhile thing to do.
As for packing in the rusty stuff & hammering it back into shape & replacing all the dirt, grease, sweat, cut fingers angst worry & frustration with £20 worth of paint & wet & dry, that's up to you, but ask yourself one question, would you get as much fun out of it as being a "tinkerer"? If its yes, post us all your bits & I'll send you a half used rattle can pf paint & some well used sand paper
. Hopefully you will wake up with a fresh enthusiasm & dismiss the idea of retiring as a tinkerer, it's in your blood, never heard of a tinkerer retiring. Perish the thought mate.
but they are definately appreciated, so thank you for posting them. I read the description that you wrote which accompanied the pictures & it made an interesting read. I'd agree that the numbers you found on it are very possibly a date & although a little later than you might have thought initially it a pretty early example of a model 25. I'd be tempted to try to retain the standard , well standard piston washer in that one, retaining screw if you can. Everybody has a slotted screw & this one sounds a little different so I'd be keen on keeping it as it is, but maybe that's just me , probably is just me. The little bracket is an interesting discovery too, all in all it's a nice little model 25 to have come across & looks as if it might provide some fun getting it back in shooting order. Overall condition makes it look a very worthwhile thing to do.As for packing in the rusty stuff & hammering it back into shape & replacing all the dirt, grease, sweat, cut fingers angst worry & frustration with £20 worth of paint & wet & dry, that's up to you, but ask yourself one question, would you get as much fun out of it as being a "tinkerer"? If its yes, post us all your bits & I'll send you a half used rattle can pf paint & some well used sand paper
. Hopefully you will wake up with a fresh enthusiasm & dismiss the idea of retiring as a tinkerer, it's in your blood, never heard of a tinkerer retiring. Perish the thought mate.
ggggr
Super member
I'm just looking for a box for the camera as well as the bits! 
I'm crap with the camera and don't know what to do with the pics once on the laptop as the system has been changed-------so I lose around an hour and a half peeing about for a couple of crap pictures that about 3 people like. You know people prefer polished pistol pics and they get a lot of likes.
I put a saw cut through the screw head as I didn't have a bit to fit the snake eye head-----which seem to have chamfers instead of being square, so would have needed a very good fitting bit. It is only a 5mm screw and I at least managed to save it.
The gun was working but low in power, which may be partly due to the worn piston washer and partly 3 panel pins blocking off a bit of the transfer port. I'll see about making a piston washer today if I'm in the mood.
I mentioned to Phil @PJB that Diana 25 piston washers seem to have more than their fair share of panel pins. I suppose only a tinkerer would know that. It is not the sort of thing that Buffy the Barrel Buffer would come across.
This section is much quieter than it was, but it is nice if something I put up is interesting to or helps a few people (mainly tinkerers).
As an aside, I've not noticed Kev/ Mk2/ Little Will creeping back on under a new name yet. I'm wondering if he is in the box round at Zed's place, waiting for a phone call?
I'm crap with the camera and don't know what to do with the pics once on the laptop as the system has been changed-------so I lose around an hour and a half peeing about for a couple of crap pictures that about 3 people like. You know people prefer polished pistol pics and they get a lot of likes.I put a saw cut through the screw head as I didn't have a bit to fit the snake eye head-----which seem to have chamfers instead of being square, so would have needed a very good fitting bit. It is only a 5mm screw and I at least managed to save it.
The gun was working but low in power, which may be partly due to the worn piston washer and partly 3 panel pins blocking off a bit of the transfer port. I'll see about making a piston washer today if I'm in the mood.
I mentioned to Phil @PJB that Diana 25 piston washers seem to have more than their fair share of panel pins. I suppose only a tinkerer would know that. It is not the sort of thing that Buffy the Barrel Buffer would come across.
This section is much quieter than it was, but it is nice if something I put up is interesting to or helps a few people (mainly tinkerers).
As an aside, I've not noticed Kev/ Mk2/ Little Will creeping back on under a new name yet. I'm wondering if he is in the box round at Zed's place, waiting for a phone call?
Backgardenplinker
Super member
Interesting reading on the mod 25.
If you get a smart phone then the pics are straight forward. Well all is straight forward as it's basically does everything a laptop, camera, TV etc does
If you get a smart phone then the pics are straight forward. Well all is straight forward as it's basically does everything a laptop, camera, TV etc does
ggggr
Super member
For the 3 of you who are interested 
I can report the gun is back together and plinking very well.
I cannot remember if I've mentioned that I found a leather washer with a small brass insert down the cylinder last night? I know i mentioned the panel pins. I assume the washer is used as a sort of buffer like on the Gems, even though this has a piston washer.
The washer was in quite good condition but the insert was a bit battered, probably due to the panel pins. I managed to clean up the insert a bit and open the hole back up. I decided to reuse the washer.
I made a piston washer this morning and fitted it this afternoon. For the locating peg at the front of the piston, I didn't want anything too hard. I found a small bit of tube and put it in and filed it flush, then punched it down onto the piston washer screw.
The gun went together easily apart for a bit of a faff getting the cocking arm hole in the right place to put the pivot screw through.
The cylinder end cap has 2 holes in it and has to be fitted before you put the trigger pivot screw through.
I didn't make a new breech seal as the one in seems to be sealing ok.
There is still a tiny bit of up and down on the barrel and I may take the plunger out and file a bit off the stop to let it come out more.
The barrel appears to be smoothbore.
The trigger is quite good so it was probably a lack of lubrication before.
I had to adjust the rearsight a bit to the left and I'll leave it like it is now until the gun has had some shots through it (I usually reckon about 150).
The guns plinking/ grouping really well and I've shot a few bottles caps as well.
Afterwards I had a few shots with that Milbro 76 (.22 calibre) and that is shooting well also and the breech seal hole seems to be settling.
A big "THANK YOU" to Chris Hough for sending these 2 guns to me.
Time for a bump up
I'm still looking for a Cadet Major stock and a Cadet piston-------to clear up a few other things lying around the place.
I can report the gun is back together and plinking very well.I cannot remember if I've mentioned that I found a leather washer with a small brass insert down the cylinder last night? I know i mentioned the panel pins. I assume the washer is used as a sort of buffer like on the Gems, even though this has a piston washer.
The washer was in quite good condition but the insert was a bit battered, probably due to the panel pins. I managed to clean up the insert a bit and open the hole back up. I decided to reuse the washer.
I made a piston washer this morning and fitted it this afternoon. For the locating peg at the front of the piston, I didn't want anything too hard. I found a small bit of tube and put it in and filed it flush, then punched it down onto the piston washer screw.
The gun went together easily apart for a bit of a faff getting the cocking arm hole in the right place to put the pivot screw through.
The cylinder end cap has 2 holes in it and has to be fitted before you put the trigger pivot screw through.
I didn't make a new breech seal as the one in seems to be sealing ok.
There is still a tiny bit of up and down on the barrel and I may take the plunger out and file a bit off the stop to let it come out more.
The barrel appears to be smoothbore.
The trigger is quite good so it was probably a lack of lubrication before.
I had to adjust the rearsight a bit to the left and I'll leave it like it is now until the gun has had some shots through it (I usually reckon about 150).
The guns plinking/ grouping really well and I've shot a few bottles caps as well.
Afterwards I had a few shots with that Milbro 76 (.22 calibre) and that is shooting well also and the breech seal hole seems to be settling.
A big "THANK YOU" to Chris Hough for sending these 2 guns to me.
Time for a bump up
I'm still looking for a Cadet Major stock and a Cadet piston-------to clear up a few other things lying around the place.That all sounds positive, back together, reasonable trigger & grouping well too. As many a tinkerer of old stuff knows there is nothing much wrong with a smoothbore plinker is there. An interesting little project & a nice thing to take out & have a pot with. An interesting read too so thank you for posting about it, wouldn't have known about some of the details & its construction otherwise..
ggggr
Super member
@lamin8 --Yes it does seem to be a pretty good little plinker. I know some people like pictures, but for the most part, a description will do for the tinkerers. I like to post up something to interest the tinkerers and also to maybe help them out should they come across a similar gun. That is why I did "The Idiots guide" on the other forum.
The trouble is, with something like this, I have to report back what I find -----but with some of the things (like the snake eye screw and the washer down the cylinder) is that I don't know if it is a one off , a mod or normal------In this case I think both are genuine factory.
I reckon I do ok considering some people think my stuff is "rusty and barely functioning"
The trouble is, with something like this, I have to report back what I find -----but with some of the things (like the snake eye screw and the washer down the cylinder) is that I don't know if it is a one off , a mod or normal------In this case I think both are genuine factory.
I reckon I do ok considering some people think my stuff is "rusty and barely functioning"
Reckon you are probabl,y right about a description being a sufficient way to pass on information in most instances. Picture can be handy too so someone can compare it with something someone may have in bits on the bench in front of them. As to whether the bits you come across are original or a modification, well just reporting what you find is great as it adds to the pool of knowledge. If somebody else reads what you find & chips in & says they have seen it too then we can begin to get an idea of what might be standard or what might be a modification.@lamin8 --Yes it does seem to be a pretty good little plinker. I know some people like pictures, but for the most part, a description will do for the tinkerers. I like to post up something to interest the tinkerers and also to maybe help them out should they come across a similar gun. That is why I did "The Idiots guide" on the other forum.
The trouble is, with something like this, I have to report back what I find -----but with some of the things (like the snake eye screw and the washer down the cylinder) is that I don't know if it is a one off , a mod or normal------In this case I think both are genuine factory.
I reckon I do ok considering some people think my stuff is "rusty and barely functioning"
For what it's worth I delved into a mid 1930s model 25 no buffer washer at the end of the cylinder & a different style of end cap just push fitted on the cylinder.
The guides must have taken you a heck of a long time to do a very generous sharing of knowledge & expertise
ggggr
Super member
@lamin8 I have another couple of Pre war DIana 25's and they have external caps on them and no buffer washer at the end of the cylinder.
The "Idiots guide", I started to do write ups when I started tinkering as there was very little information out there. Gareth, the mod of the collectable section at the time, decided to add it as a "Sticky".
I thought it might help people in a similar situation as myself.
As I was buying guns to do as a hobby, after I stripped one, I would do the write up while it was still fresh in my mind. It actually didn't take that long to do a write up----and I didn't do any pictures!
As a lot of them were "barely functioning" or not working at all, it had the bonus that I would see the weak points and what the problems were on the guns. Sometimes as I did another gun/saw a variation/came across other problems or just found out something more, I would amend the post. Phil Russel added a lot to the guide, but that tended to be never or more technical stuff. I tried to keep it fairly simple.
Sometimes if I have not done a gun for a while, I will re read what I put before stripping a gun
Id probably struggle doing the ratchet system on an Osprey now, just looking at a bag of bits, so would have a refresh.
I know one or two on here either don't think I know my stuff (or don't like to admit it!) but with most of the stuff I've done I could tell you the faults to watch out for. Maybe that is for another thread?
I don't post up for the "Likes" and the compliments (Some people are just rimming with compliments) , but partly as record or reminder for myself for the future and partly to help out the decent people who treat it as a hobby and are not after making a few quid.
Sometimes people are a little unsure about something and may find what I put useful, or in a few cases, they have spoken to me on the phone and been able to sort a problem out.
Now about that Cadet Major stock I'm looking for ?
The "Idiots guide", I started to do write ups when I started tinkering as there was very little information out there. Gareth, the mod of the collectable section at the time, decided to add it as a "Sticky".
I thought it might help people in a similar situation as myself.
As I was buying guns to do as a hobby, after I stripped one, I would do the write up while it was still fresh in my mind. It actually didn't take that long to do a write up----and I didn't do any pictures!
As a lot of them were "barely functioning" or not working at all, it had the bonus that I would see the weak points and what the problems were on the guns. Sometimes as I did another gun/saw a variation/came across other problems or just found out something more, I would amend the post. Phil Russel added a lot to the guide, but that tended to be never or more technical stuff. I tried to keep it fairly simple.
Sometimes if I have not done a gun for a while, I will re read what I put before stripping a gun
Id probably struggle doing the ratchet system on an Osprey now, just looking at a bag of bits, so would have a refresh.I know one or two on here either don't think I know my stuff (or don't like to admit it!
) but with most of the stuff I've done I could tell you the faults to watch out for. Maybe that is for another thread? I don't post up for the "Likes" and the compliments (Some people are just rimming with compliments
) , but partly as record or reminder for myself for the future and partly to help out the decent people who treat it as a hobby and are not after making a few quid.Sometimes people are a little unsure about something and may find what I put useful, or in a few cases, they have spoken to me on the phone and been able to sort a problem out.
Now about that Cadet Major stock I'm looking for ?