Coincidentally I just read today in the Jan 2007 airgunner article by John Atkins that the Lanes Ball trigger rifles were converted Gems imported from Belgium & Germany from 1896.
He said the example he showed was originally a Flursheim and Bergmann that had the Ball trigger cocking arm fitted. I didn't know that.

Seems to me these could have inspired Fred Cox when he designed the Britannia in 1904.


Cheers,
Matt