‘Original’ or ‘Diana’ are trade names of the firm of Mayer and Grammelspacher, Rastatt in Germany. True to the Teutonic ideal, Original air rifles follow the lines of the larger, full-bore rifles of the day and the Original 50 model is no exception; it’s large! It Gives the impression and feel of a quality built rifle; that was its appeal and ultimate down fall, as lighter springers or PCP guns became more in vogue.

Production began back in the 1953 and did not stop until the 80s; so, a long heritage and production standards were always kept to a high standard. If it is right, it’s right. The overall design changed very little over that course.

The Original 50 was an under-lever design, so the barrel stays fixed in the action, unlike a break barrel design and so has the potential for more accuracy, as this union is devoid or leaks and misalignment. Pellets are loaded into a tap in the receiver and the pellet is sent on its way by one of the best triggers in the business; however, don’t take it apart, lots of springs and ball bearings! If you take the stock off, you can see the excellent quality of the Originals, very few tool marks and very intricate trigger mechanism and overall fine bluing. The stock is also very well designed and long, over ¾ length, that gives the 50 its distinctive look and also handles very well.