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AS PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK THE GREENER COLLECTION BY GREENER
LOT 517
Exceptional Documented Engraved W.W. Greener Double Barrel “Facile Princeps” Self-Acting Ejector 8 Gauge Duck Gun with Case - Serial no. 38069, 8 gauge, 32 1/4 inch solid rib bbl., brown/casehardened/blue finish, walnut stock. The makers have kindly confirmed that manufacture of this magnificent gun began in 1889 and was completed in 1890 at a cost of 50 guineas. It was subsequently shipped to New York for sale. It is featured in “The Greener Collections” by Graham Greener on p. 112. The browned
Damascus barrels have a fine twist pattern and sprays of bouquet and scroll engraving at each breech end. The matted concave rib has a bead front sight, is signed “W.W. GREENER. 68 HAYMARKET LONDON. WINNER AT THE LONDON GUN TRIALS 1875, 1877 & 1879”, and is engraved “PATENT/WEDGE FAST” towards the rib extension. Casehardened scallop back action with serpentine fences, Greener patent cross bolt, blued top lever, “Jumping Jack” hold-open pin and signed “W.W. GREENER” on each side. The blued Greener patent side mounted safety catch has gold inlaid
“SAFE.”There is fine profuse bouquet and scroll engraving throughout.
The underside of the barrels and water table have Birmingham black
powder proof marks and London nitro reproof marks. The water table has
the Greener “Elephant” trademark and “1500/PATENT 2003” (the 1881 patent for the self acting ejector mechanism). The finely figured semi-pistol grip stock has shaped panels of
checkering to the grip and forearm, dark horn arrow shaped drop points, and a checkered dark horn heel plate. The forearm has a Deeley & Edge fastener and dark horn tip that extends into an arrow shaped point. The underside of the butt has a large gold oval initial escutcheon engraved with a ornate monogram consisting of the letters “IRM”. The fitted leather case is
lined in red baize, has a black leather W.W. Greener trade label with gilt lettering inside the lid, and contains some accessories, including large nickeled Greener oiler and cleaning rod. Stock measurements: 2 inch drop at comb; 3 inch drop at heel; 14 1/8 inch length of pull; cast-off; weight 11 lbs. 13 oz.
CONDITION: Very good. This fabulous gun retains nearly all of its rebrowned finish on the barrels. The rib matting, engraving and signature are crisp. The bouquet and scroll
sprays on the breech ends of the barrels are a little softened. The action retains 95% original strong color hardening, crisp engraving, and some minor handling rubbing
to the fences. The top lever retains a similar 95% of its original blued finish. The safety catch and trigger guard each retain some original finish. The
stock has a very attractive figure pattern and wonderfully shaped checkered panels. The checkering remains crisp on both the
grip and forearm, and there are only the most slight storage
and handling blemishes. Mechanically excellent. Overall a fantastic example of a large bore Greener shotgun.
Provenance: The Malcolm King Collection.
Estimate: 12,000 - 18,000
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