The Britannia

[Shed tuner]

This one coming up for sale John

https://www.the-saleroom.com/en-gb/a...6-a984013b9bb5

it's a .22 I had always thought they were either .177 or .25.. shows how little I know.

[Lakey]

it's a .22 I had always thought they were either .177 or .25.. shows how little I know.

They say its a .22, that doesnt always mean that it IS a .22

I have a very nice .177 britannia that came my way at Auction, after it was advertised as a .22. I was initially the unlucky bidder, but because it was found later to be a .177, the winning bidder pulled out,so they contacted me to see if I was still interested? I was, but not at the hammer price, so I did "my own greatly reduced deal" with the auction house - happy days

[Josie & John]

They say its a .22, that doesnt always mean that it IS a .22

I have a very nice .177 britannia that came my way at Auction, after it was advertised as a .22. I was initially the unlucky bidder, but because it was found later to be a .177, the winning bidder pulled out,so they contacted me to see if I was still interested? I was, but not at the hammer price, so I did "my own greatly reduced deal" with the auction house - happy days

I agree - no standard Britannia in .22 is presently known - when they were new, the standard air rifle calibres were .177 and .25, with .22 coming later.

It would interesting if a collector local to the auction could check the calibre as Britannias were never marked with the calibre.

John

[micky2]

I agree - no standard Britannia in .22 is presently known - when they were new, the standard air rifle calibres were .177 and .25, with .22 coming later.

It would interesting if a collector local to the auction could check the calibre as Britannias were never marked with the calibre.

John

Hi John, Dennis Hiller as one down in his book as been in .22 se/no 1765 and it says see Airgun World December 1980 ?

[Benelli B76]

The Britannia is the rifle that Sterling Arms should have remade instead of the Webley Service. I have always wondered why no airgun manufacturer has not made a modern version. Having the compression chamber in the stock seems very sensible to me, reducing length and weight. I think a more efficient and easier design to manufacture than the Webley.

Baz

[Shed tuner]

The Britannia is the rifle that Sterling Arms should have remade instead of the Webley Service. I have always wondered why no airgun manufacturer has not made a modern version. Having the compression chamber in the stock seems very sensible to me, reducing length and weight. I think a more efficient and easier design to manufacture than the Webley.

Baz

For sure, I've said the same too... great design concept, not too tricky to make. I'd quite like the Chinese to do a decent copy of it in fact !

[Josie & John]

Hi John, Dennis Hiller as one down in his book as been in .22 se/no 1765 and it says see Airgun World December 1980 ?

Hi Mick,

I know the rifle you mean - it was recently advertised for sale and is fitted with Lyman target sights. Whilst I have not personally handled it, at least two specialists, one of whom is a gunsmith have cast doubt on the barrel's originality, casting a question mark over that particular rifle's provenance.

Kind regards,

John

[micky2]

Hi Mick,

I know the rifle you mean - it was recently advertised for sale and is fitted with Lyman target sights. Whilst I have not personally handled it, at least two specialists, one of whom is a gunsmith have cast doubt on the barrel's originality, casting a question mark over that particular rifle's provenance.

Kind regards,

John

Hi John, many thanks for the reply, there does seem to be a question mark over it beening original then.

ATB,
Mick.

[Shed tuner]

Ahh, so I don't know as little as I thought then...

[Andrew64]

Thanks again Andrew - enjoy!

Kind regards,

John

Hi John, 755 doesn't have Anglo sure shot stamped on the breech. Just the Ramsbottam medallion impressed into the butt of the stock. Were all these 'Manchester' guns marked with the sureshot markings?

Andrew.

[greenwayjames]

Bowket told me that when he used to work on spring air guns years ago he rebarrelled several in .22". One was originally in .177 but several pellets had got stuck in the barrel. The grandson of the owner had "unblocked" the barrel by cutting it in 6 places, clearing the blockages and then welding the bits back together. Maybe he didnt get them in the correct order because it wouldnt push a pellet out afterwards. JB rebuilt it as a .22"

[Josie & John]

Hi John, 755 doesn't have Anglo sure shot stamped on the breech. Just the Ramsbottam medallion impressed into the butt of the stock. Were all these 'Manchester' guns marked with the sureshot markings?

Andrew.

Hi Andrew,

The early Ramsbottom guns had a stock medallion, so yours is 'right' in that respect. Later ones were stamped on the breech in various ways.

Kind regards,

John

[mark@mbb]

Had 312, now have 768. Both .177 but different pivot screws and rear sights. I think the early ones had a nut on the pivot bolt (like the imp mod) with a plain rear sight.

Can of worms

I think the number on mine is 417 from what i can remember

[flavorself]

Found one of these in my Dad's office and remember shooting it in the back garden when I was young. Serial no. is 2280. It has quite a lot of sentimiental value but I woudl like to know its value if anyone has an idea. Seems like the best place to ask!

[Shed tuner]

Found one of these in my Dad's office and remember shooting it in the back garden when I was young. Serial no. is 2280. It has quite a lot of sentimiental value but I woudl like to know its value if anyone has an idea. Seems like the best place to ask!

welcome, nice find.

Depending on condition, anywhere from £250 (rough) to £650 very nice.

Most in decent used condition around £400 or so.. see pics of two of mine on a recent sales thread here: http://www.airgunbbs.com/showthread....don-or-Dorset)