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LOT 3539
Rare Engraved W.W. Greener 8 Bore Double Barrel
“Facile Princeps” Non-Ejector Duck Gun with Case -
Serial no. 31225, 8 gauge, 36 inch solid rib bbl., brown/casehardened/blue finish, walnut stock. Completed in circa 1886, with browned Damascus steel barrels with concave rib fitted with a bead front sight, signed “W.W.
GREENER. 68 HAYMARKET LONDON. WINNER AT THE LONDON GUN TRIALS, 1875, 1877, 1878 & 1879” and “PATENT TREBLE WEDGE FAST NO. 3084” at the
rib extension. The underside of the barrels with original Birmingham “NOT FOR BALL” black powder proof marks and Birmingham nitro reproof marks
for 3 1⁄4 inch chamber. Casehardened action engraved with double border lines throughout with flourishes of scrollwork and signed “W.W. GREENER”
on each side within a ribbon, the watertable struck with the Greener “Elephant” trademark and “W.W. GREENER PATENT NO. 930”. Blued toplever, action floorplate, patent side-
mounted safety catch and trigger guard. Figured 14 1⁄2 inch semi-pistol grip stock including extension and rubber recoil pad, checkered grip and forearm, the last with dark horn tip and Deeley & Edge fastener. Weight 12 lbs. 15.7oz. In brass cornered fitted leather case lined in red baize, the lid with black leather W.W. Greener trade label with gilt lettering.
CONDITION: Barrels with attractive damascus twist, retaining 90% thinning older rebrowned finish with blued finish to the flats indicating the barrels were at some stage blued (as was the fashion after the common introduction of steel barrels), the rib signature clear but slightly softened. Action retaining 30% fading original casehardened finish, engraving sharp. The toplever, action floorplate, safety catch and trigger guard with older reblued finish. Straight grain semi-pistol grip stock with well-defined checkering, cleaned and reoiled with a few scattered light handling marks. Mechanically excellent. Case in good condition, restored at each end.
Provenance: The Malcolm King Collection.
Estimate: 6,000 - 9,000
LOT 3540
Fine Engraved W.W. Greener 12 Bore
Double Barrel “Facile Princeps” Ejector Shotgun with
Case - Serial no. 35204, 12 gauge, 30 inch solid rib bbl.,
brown/casehardened/blue finish, walnut stock. Manufactured in circa 1886. With browned Damascus barrels each engraved with a spray of foliage at the breech end. Flat raised rib checkered for its entire length, fitted with front and mid-bead sights,
and with rib extension. Casehardened action signed “W.W. GREENER” and with arcaded fences, cross bolt and blued toplever.
The watertable marked “J. N/PATENT/779” (for Joseph Needham’s patent no. 1205 of 1874, which Greener developed in
combination with his “Facile Princeps” to form the famous self acting ejector mechanism. Greener had purchased Needham’s firm in
1874), and struck with the Greener “Elephant” trademark. Blued triggers, trigger guard and Greener side mounted safety catch with gold inlaid “SAFE”. Fine bouquet and
scroll engraving throughout. Well figured 14 1/2 inch semi-pistol grip stock including leather covered recoil pad, grip and forearm checkered within shaped panels inset and
horn diamond shaped drop points. The forearm with dark horn tip and Deeley & Edge fastener, the underside of the butt with blank silver oval initial escutcheon. Barrels
and action struck with Birmingham “Not For Ball” black powder proof marks and Birmingham nitro reproof marks, the barrels each also struck “WWG”. Proved at 18.6mm/18.7mm, measuring 18.6mm/18.7mm, 2 1/2 inch (65mm) chambers, minimum wall thickness 0.027 and 0.022. Weight 7 lbs. 7 oz. With brass cornered oak and leather fitted Greener case lined in emerald green velvet, the lid with black leather W.W. Greener trade label with gilt lettering, the exterior of the lid stamped in gold lettering “G.C. MACRORY, DUNMURRY HOUSE, DUNMURRY, Co. ANTRIM.” With accessories including large nickeled W.W. Greener oiler, and nickeled W.W. Greener folding combined cartridge extractor/whistle and W.W. Greener chamber brush with silvered cap each engraved with a crown and the monogram “GRM”.
CONDITION: Barrels with fine Damascus pattern, retaining 99% rebrowned finish, engraved decoration at breech ends clear. Action with fine crisp engraving, retaining 30% faded original casehardened finish. Toplever and trigger guard reblued. Stock refinished, sharp checkering within shaped panels, slight scattered handling blemishes and a small crack appearing in the horn forend wedge. Good leather covered recoil pad. Lovely case, exterior with some age wear, lining with wear marks from the gun and accessories, replacement straps, two repair panels to lining around the gun compartment. Mechanically excellent. A lovely classic Greener shotgun. Provenance: The Malcolm King Collection.
Estimate: 3,000 - 5,000
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