The Britannia

[Josie & John]

Hi John,

To add to your register I have sn 327, 'The Britannia' trademark on left side, 'Cox's patents C G Bonehill, Sole Manufacturer Birmingham' on top, 21" barrel in .177 The rear sight is of the twin leaf type, with the front one folding.

That's another new one for the list!

Thank you.

John

[Lakey]

This one coming up for sale John

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

[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

[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