I was tempted to put it in a box and courier it myself to AKL but I might end up looking pretty stupid if he doesn't accept it...

Here's an idea Andy.  Take it to Keiran at Turners Sports in Feilding - he can send it to Ron and receive it when Ron has serviced it fully for you.

Then when you come up to collect it, you can pop in to my place and we'll put my Chroney on it,  try different pellets in the barrel and get it shooting beautifully. And you can try my Weihrauchs at the same time.... I have ranges here on my lifestyle block.

If that helps, I'll send you a private message (PM) with my contact details, address, etc.?.

Hi Andy,

Some registered firearms dealers will only send or accept guns via another firearms dealer. Some will do this for little or no cost over and above the courier fee while others will charge a "handling fee".   There probably is  firearms dealer in Levin who may be able to help and possibly will be more accommodating than either Gun city or Hunting and Fishing, so worth asking around.

Coming from the UK it is most likely a sub 12 foot pound gun which may sound underpowered compared to many new spring powered air guns in NZ where there is no power limit for spring (or gas ram) powered air guns you an own without requiring a firearms licence.   However there is nothing wrong with an accurate sub 12  air gun.   Power means nothing if you can't consistency hit what you are aiming at.

Just a quick history, it came from the UK had it since I was about 15 years old when we lived there in the 80's. Great info KIWITR6 I always wondered why it was called Original and that helps explain it.

I've decided to send it to Rons Airguns as you have said but I contacted him and this is what he told me:

"You will need to courier the air rifle through your local sports store to us.

We will service it and send back the same way"

By sports store does he mean a gun shop that sells airguns?

The only gun shops near me that I know of are Hunting fishing Otaki & Palmy and Gun City Palmy.

I'm guessing these shops will want to charge for their time as well as the courier fee? Tor those who have done this before what did it end up costing you?

If I remember correctly "Original" was the name used by the original Diana manufacturer after WW2 when their name and designs were being produced by Milbro in the UK as part of the post-war reparations.  The company was eventually able to buy back the Diana name when Milbro went into liquidation.  Unfortunately their current product is nothing like their old stuff.

I imagine it's a cracking gun that will be far superior in quality to most of what's available these days and my recommendation is also that you send it to Ron at Youngs Airguns for a full service as the seal at least may have have badly deteriorated since it was last used.  It would be a shame to use it as it is and risk damaging the internals. The cost won't be terribly expensive as Ron is very reasonable with his charging and he has many years of experience.