Boxed Firefly (1925 model with trigger guard)

With thanks to Stephen for these pics of this incredible pistol. John Griffiths, author of The Encyclopedia of Spring Air Pistols, said of this pistol:

"This pistol... has solved one of those many mysteries that makes collecting vintage airguns so fascinating... Unlike all documented Fireflies to date this example has a trigger guard cast into the frame.

Also it has the inscription of the name on the front of the frame, whereas other Fireflies have it along the whole frame. There have been rumours for many years among collectors of British air pistols that a slightly larger version of the Firefly may have existed, with a trigger guard, but no one has been able to prove it...

"This is so like the mystery of the very first version of the [Frank Clarke] Titan pistol, for which line drawings from old adverts had been known for years, but no example had ever been seen. The gun achieved mythological status and many believed that the drawings were imaginative and used a lot of poetic licence.

Then one turned up out of the blue, and within a few years more followed. Perhaps history will repeat itself and more of these Fireflies will now turn up."

Cocked Anson Firefly

With thanks to John A for this pic:

Boxed Firefly (without trigger guard, David Swan collection)

With thanks to Rod Meek of Anderson & Garland Auctioneers (www.andersonandgarland.com) for permission to post these pics of a gun auctioned in 2015.

With thanks to John A for retouching the first pic.

Auction blurb:

"An Anson 'The Firefly' .177cal. air pistol, circa 1932, with GAT type push barrel action and black painted grip, 7in. overall length uncocked, together with original box and booklet. Hammer Price: £220.00"