I think you may have a pretty good grounding on your question before anyone answers. I can't suggest an expert appraiser. Clearly there's a premium for a major signature on the scratching, gauge, and tang/knob configuration. As for the years mentioned, which as you know are coincident with the "Morton" accelerated curing process, the stigma kills demand and pushes asking prices well below 50%. Many with obvious damage were restocked and the metal damage repaired {obscured). If it's possible to ascertain wood replacement, I think this would also offer a lever to the end of price reduction. High grade B-25s with obviously rotten receivers and barrels are occasionally seen on the internet sites asking around 2K. I bought a '68 Diana 12 Field from local dealer for $1875. I was told at the time that I should "have the wood looked at". I've had the stock and forend off a number of times in four yrs. As I suspected from the condition of the barrels and receiver back and others here have confirmed, a forty year old "salt gun" with no damage is a possibility but it's still a salt gun by YOM definition. The sad reality of overall market wariness will not necessarily prevent high-end dealers of the "honest as they come" sort from asking 4-5K for salt-year Dianas with no obvious damage. For collectors, it's an obvious choice to play it safe and shy away. For limited-budget shooters with a yen to play with a fancy gun, it could be a fatal attraction at purchase and resale. The hedge would be to own several copies of Schwing's Superposed book and make up the difference there LOL.
jack
