The Best Pre-War Break Barrel Rifle

[45flint]

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?