Another Diana 27 fan here.
Another Diana 27 fan here.
The prewar Diana 35 DRP was basically a larger, more powerful version of the 27. Also with the lovely double pull trigger and walnut stock.
See them together here:
Diana 27 bottom, 35 middle
Vintage Airguns Gallery
..Above link posted with permission from Gareth W-B
In British slang an anorak is a person who has a very strong interest in niche subjects.
Not as well know but the FLX XX is probably as nice a prewar break barrel as you will find. The last rifle in the group of 3 in the Gallery is mine and the machining and bluing is as good as it gets.
https://forum.vintageairgunsgallery....-xx-air-rifle/
Haenel Mod II break barrel. I got one. Very well made
Haenel for me too!
My missus has a Diana 27 that is very accurate:
https://youtu.be/889pWxlysQY?si=Ossm2Q3CsV18J9dO
I'm a big fan of my 1920's Millita, although it took some fettling to get it shooting really well:
https://youtu.be/qgBp0hVuNHU?si=0rCw_L4m-5tajB-2
I would be interested in adding a Heanel one day.
That FLZ is gorgeous, don't think I've ever seen one for sale.
Cheers,
Matt
Webley Service for me - well the barrel is used as a cocking lever!
I also used to own a lovely Ansonia Millita type with a gorgeous stock.
https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1Q...xjMg2oi5ynX70d
https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1Q...XdNkBB39PPQEdT
John
Currently looking for Baikal Makarov pistols with the following prefixes to the serial number: 98, T01, T09, T21, T22
Prefer boxed or cased but will consider loose examples too.
My vote goes to the Britannia. I've owned several. They're compact, powerful, accurate, beautifully balanced, easy to work on, and they have two power settings and a rock-solid breech latch that automatically adjusts for wear. IMHO, it's the Mary Poppins of pre-war break barrels -- practically perfect in every way.
I am lucky to have obtained a Britannia over here in the US. It is a very unique rifle but not sure perfect in every way? If perfect I think the in stock spring system would have carried on into modern airguns? Its profile is not really graceful? The quality of it finish is not comparable to the bluing that was developed after WW1: mirror blued finishes there.
The balance to me is totally centered in the stock and the lack of a forearm a bit annoying and odd looking?
Last edited by 45flint; 28-03-2024 at 11:58 AM.
I said it's PRACTICALLY perfect in every way, i.e., almost. Regardless, you're entitled to your opinion, Steve, as am I, and I couldn't disagree more. IMHO the Britannia has very graceful lines. But then again, you also don't care for the look of the Webley Service, which I think has one of the most beautiful and iconic profiles ever.
Regarding modern airguns not copying the design of the Britannia, I wonder that all the time. I wish some company would. I'd love a solid, modern, compact, light, easy to wield, high-powered springer inspired by the Britannia design!
The quality of finish is a trivial matter. And considering minty Britannias aren't common, I doubt either of us can declare with certainty how good or bad the original finish was when new, or if it varied in quality over its production run.
Lastly, I find the heavy yet compact design makes it a quicker, more natural pointer than a lot of modern break barrels. As far as accuracy tests go, Matt's video says it all:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHiTVootIcQ
If I'd known we'd consider the Mk2 Service or Britannia as pre war break barrels then they'd both be my favourites.
For the record both my Britannia's are the most accurate pre war air rifles I have, indeed the scruffy example that I tuned and 'targetised' (fitted with front and rear BSA peep sights) is ridiculously accurate, able to hit a 40mm spinner at 55yds repeatedly from an FT sitting position. Crazy. I'll get round to documenting that at some point.
I do think the design is indeed elegant, the balance point is the trigger, which is perfect for standing shots. The only thing that can let down very well used examples is the trigger, which often has to be set a bit heavy for safety reasons, if it has worn sears. Not on this one though...
I heard from one source that a previous owner of this Britannia claimed that his research revealed that a few from each batch were singled out for special treatment incl. special blue treatment. These were then used by the Belmont factory as promotionals, mainly for donation as club trophy material . He could not verify this at the time.
This one was apparently kept in a gun cabinet in a big house, along with a shotgun collection, for most of it's life. Whatever it's history regarding the finish, it's virtually unused, you can still see the machining marks and it can give us an idea of how nice they can look:
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Here's the 'Britannia Supertarget':
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Amazing airguns, and as I said, my most accurate.
Cheers,
Matt