Haenel 310

[mag318]

This is my first post here and although I've been an avid firearms collector and shooter for over 60 years I never had a real interest in airgun, that is until now. A close friend has a large LGS and imports a lot of guns from Europe, mostly milsurps. The other day I came across an air rifle that fascinated me so I bought it. It's a Haenel 310 from Germany made in the 60s. This rifle is both accurate and powerful, much more so then any Daisy I owned as a kid. It's lineage goes back to the 1930s to pre war Germany.

 

[readyfisher9]

A real antique for sure. I understand it was made for lead balls? Where are you getting that ammo? My suggestion is to get a modern air rifle, such as the Weihrauch HW30S (Beeman R7). Much more accurate, but at a reasonable price point, and made to last a lifetime or more. 

 

[mag318]

You're correct this rifle uses 4.4mm lead balls, I found copper plated ones online and they perform very well.

 

[mag318]

After being impressed so much with the Haenel 310 I invested in a pre war Haenel 33 is minty condition. As far as air rifles now I'm more of a collector, and being a baby boomer a lot of my firearms are WWII vintage. There were 3 major air rifles used as training rifles for German Youth organization and the Modell 33 and 33 Junior were favored by many. Here are some photos.

 

[Moog]

Interesting rifles they look like Mausers and welcome to the forum. For that style of air gun you might want to take a look at the Diana K-98. It is a spring piston gun styled after the Mauser M-98. It's still in production so you don't have to worry about shooting it.

 

[MDriskill]

Welcome to the forum...and wow, those are gorgeous! That is the nicest Haenel 33 I've ever seen, what a find. Your photos illustrate its links to the post-war model 310 very well. I had a 310 years ago, very cool little rifles. Beautifully made and quite hard shooters. 

Another rifle you might like if you're into pre-war military trainers is the Diana model 30. This is not a ball-shooter like the Haenel, but a tap-loading, underlever-cocking pellet rifle, though in an unmistakably military-looking stock. More powerful and accurate than the 310.

A similar but larger rifle, the Diana model 50, was made for many years after the war. It was not actually used as a military trainer, but the lines and balance of it remind you quite a bit of the Mauser 98, which no doubt appealed to veterans of the day.

Danny Garvin's "Vintage Airgun Gallery" is an awesome resource for collectors. Here are shots of the models 30 and 50 from there:

https://forum.vintageairgunsgallery.com/pre-war-diana-air-rifles/diana-model-30/

https://forum.vintageairgunsgallery.com/post-war-diana-air-rifles/diana-model-50/

 

[springer]

My 310 barely works when filled with lead BB. I purchased tins of lead balls marked 4.4 mm which work fine. My gun was supplied with sling swivels and a canvas sling.

 

[Mwarrior50]

I would love to get myself one of these. They seem like loads of fun; cant really think if anything similar made today.

 

[Mwarrior50]

Maybe it just needs oil?