The Britannia

[Josie & John]

I am after a little help with some research.

Does anyone have a Cox Britannia or Anglo Sure Shot with a serial number higher than 3400?

Also, does anyone have access to the original manual for this rifle (NOT the later Improved Model Britannia), as I have a few questions, which the manual may be able to answer?

Many thanks all.

John

[gingernut]

No John sorry.
Mine is 1288.
Friend Baz sorted the internals for me and it shoots nicely.
So he knows about the oily bits.

[Josie & John]

No John sorry.
Mine is 1288.
Friend Baz sorted the internals for me and it shoots nicely.
So he knows about the oily bits.

Hi Gingernut,

I have 102 Britannia / Anglo Sure Shots on my database but your SN is not on there. Would you mind confirming calibre, sight type and markings on top of the breech flat?

Sad aren't I?

John

[gingernut]

1288 in three places.
.177
Rear sight was missing.Baz made me a leaf type.
There is a threaded hole in the barrel in front of this sight.

Coxs patents C G Bonehill Sole Manufacturer.

I have a friend who collects bus tickets so you have a way to go in the sad stakes.

Regards
Patrick

[Josie & John]

1288 in three places.
.177
Rear sight was missing.Baz made me a leaf type.
There is a threaded hole in the barrel in front of this sight.

Coxs patents C G Bonehill Sole Manufacturer.

I have a friend who collects bus tickets so you have a way to go in the sad stakes.

Regards
Patrick

Thanks Patrick - that's 103 examples known to me. I always wanted one of those ticket machines that London bus conductors had on the old Routemasters when I was young. It made my day when a bus conductor once gave me the rest of his unused roll of tickets!

Kind regards,

John

[Mzee]

Hi John, You may possibly already have my Britannia on your database from an earlier date. I bought it from Tim Dyson back in January & think it had been in someone's collection.There wasn't any paperwork with it and it didn't appear to have been fired for a long time. Not knowing anything about how to strip it and not wanting to damage such a lovely olde gunne, I had it serviced by Aaron Wheeler & it now is a joy to shoot. A knurled adjustment screw was missing from the front sight so he made me a replacement. It has a lovely brown patina with the odd patch of original bluing.

Serial no. 2216
.177
Patent 'see-saw' rear sight
On top of breech flat - ANGLO SURE-SHOT MARK 1 COX'S PATENTS
MADE ONLY FOR R.RAMSBOTTOM MANCHESTER

HTH. Best wishes, Glyn

[Josie & John]

Hi John, You may possibly already have my Britannia on your database from an earlier date. I bought it from Tim Dyson back in January & think it had been in someone's collection.There wasn't any paperwork with it and it didn't appear to have been fired for a long time. Not knowing anything about how to strip it and not wanting to damage such a lovely olde gunne, I had it serviced by Aaron Wheeler & it now is a joy to shoot. A knurled adjustment screw was missing from the front sight so he made me a replacement. It has a lovely brown patina with the odd patch of original bluing.

Serial no. 2216
.177
Patent 'see-saw' rear sight
On top of breech flat - ANGLO SURE-SHOT MARK 1 COX'S PATENTS
MADE ONLY FOR R.RAMSBOTTOM MANCHESTER

HTH. Best wishes, Glyn

Thank you Glyn. Yes I have the rifle listed but appreciate your response. They are indeed a joy to shoot, as you rightly say.

Kind regards,

John.

[gingernut]

So what are these worth now do we think?

Mine has a replacement rear sight but is in nice condition and shoots well.
After a fair bit of work.
Mine is also brown Glyn.

Not thinking of selling

[Josie & John]

So what are these worth now do we think?

Mine has a replacement rear sight but is in nice condition and shoots well.
After a fair bit of work.
Mine is also brown Glyn.

Not thinking of selling

Prices tend to vary quite a bit for these classics. Anything from the £300 mark to £800. JC MIlitaria has had a few on his website for some time with incorrect sights and if you look at his pricing, that should explain why! A search on Holts' archives will also provide a guide that may confuse you even further due to their volatile nature!

I looked at a refinished example on Tim Dyson's stall at Brum - it was interesting in that someone had nickel plated the air cylinder and blued the barrel in 'Gem' style. I believe a few 'specials' were finished in this way a century ago and I wish I had taken some snaps of it.

Kind regards,

John

[gingernut]

Thats what I thought John.
Thanks.

[Lakey]

Hi John,

Here is the first of my two, .177 Anglo sure shot Mk1's, serial number 1340. see-saw type rearsight. I have another .177 Anglo Sure Shot around. I will see if I can dig it out for the database


All the best

Lakey

[trevor1]

serial number 1581

[micky2]

Hi John, l can't remember if you have the se/nos of the ones l have now, and the ones l have sold.
ATB
Mick.

[Josie & John]

Thank you Lakey, Trevor and Mick.

Lakey, can you tell me if the Ramsbottom markings are on the top of the breech flat on 1340 or on either side of the breech flats? I'm guessing standard 21 inch barrel?

Trevor, thank you for including 1581. Is the rifle marked Britannia or Anglo Sure Shot? Also, I'm guessing it has the see-saw sight but could you confirm?

Mick, I'm not sure if I have your old ones listed but if you can confirm SN, sight type, calibre, markings and barrel length, I'll gladly add to the database.

Thanks all.

John

[Binners]

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