Britannia second model (Cox's patent, including Anglo Sure Shot Mk1)

Anglo Sure Shot Mk1 (Cox's patent) - Patent information 

With thanks to Peter for the Cox's patent information by Dennis Commins.

Anglo Sure Shot Mk1 (Cox's patent) strip down 

With thanks to Mike (whose wife's great uncle was Mr Cox!).

Anglo Sure Shot Mk1 (Cox's patent) serial no.587

In .177 calibre.

Note the folding leaf rear sight. This rifle lacks Ramsbottom or Anglo Sure Shot markings.

Anglo Sure Shot Mk1 (Cox's patent) stripdown (video) 

With thanks to Matt.

Anglo Sure Shot Mk1 (Cox's patent) .25 calibre 

Pics copyright Holts Auctioneers Ltd.

Anglo Sure Shot Mk1 (Cox's patent) serial no.3384 

With thanks to John M.

He says about it:

A .177 Britannia air rifle that was distributed by Ramsbottom of Manchester as the Anglo Sure Shot Mark I over 110 years ago. The Anglo Sure Shot is rarer than a standard Britannia, making up around 35% of the surviving 149 Britannias known to me.

Clear markings and numbered 3384, which is one of the highest serial numbers known to me (I only know of one higher) and is numbers matching. This is therefore a late production model, with associated features including a ribbed trigger, longer barrel than early models (23 inches long rather than the 21 inch early barrel). The 'see-saw' rearsight therefore sits 2 inches further from the eye, which is an improvement if you have aging eyes. The rearsight adjusts up and down but the lateral adjustment feels stuck and I have not forced it. The trigger adjustment screw access hole is through the swell of the pistol grip and can therefore be accessed without the rifle having to be held open cocked - a much safer feature than the one on earlier models.

The rifle cocks and fires and is in good condition. There is a ding at the top front of the stock but looking at the surrounding patina, this Britannia lost that tooth a long time ago! There should be two power settings but this one just has the one. A weak mainspring with virtually no preload has been fitted, so the rifle takes little effort to cock. Nevertheless, she still performs consistently at a little over 500 fps. As she shoots nicely and the light spring together with single sear engagement works well enough and does not over strain the mechanism, I have left it alone and not looked at fitting another or had the piston/sear looked at.

Both sights are present with a bead up front and the classic see-saw rear.

Britannia second model see-saw rear sight 

With thanks to Matt.

Britannia second model (in New Zealand) 

With thanks to Eberhard and Nick for the heads up.