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LOT 3543
Rare 8 Bore W.W. Greener Side by Side Toplever Hammer Double Barrel Dangerous Game Rifle - Serial no. 41447, 8 Bore cal., 24 inch solid rib bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. The makers have
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kindly confirmed that this magnificent rifle was ordered as No. 1 of a
pair by a Mr. Lister and started on August 21, 1893 and completed on
September 30 of the same year. The Greener nomenclature for this type of firearm was “Treble Wedge Fast” and the “List No. 425”
on the trigger guard refers to the number of this type of rifle in a Greener catalogue of the period. The number “4” refers to big bore rifles with “25” being an
indicator of medium grade. Even with no engraving beyond the maker’s name this rifle would have cost 40 Guineas, at the time the equivalent cost of a best
quality 12 gauge shotgun. Blued wrought steel barrels signed “GREENER’S” on the left barrel and “WROUGHT STEEL” on the right barrel with solid matted rib
marked “PATENT TREBLE/WEDGE FAST”, “W.W. GREENER, HAYMARKET LONDON” and “1”, extractor, bead front sight with flip up moon sight, three leaf rear sight graduated to 150 yards, and Birmingham black powder proof marks on the barrel flats. Casehardened action with rebounding back action lock plates signed
“W.W. GREENER,”“1” marked watertable and inside forearm hardware, trigger guard tang marked with the serial number and “LIST No 425,” nicely figured 14 1/2
inch pistol grip stock with multi-point checkering, casehardened grip cap, sling eyelets and including a 1 inch recoil pad. Weight: 16 lbs. 15 oz.
CONDITION: Very fine. The barrels retain 80% thinning original blue finish with some wear at the muzzle and breech and a small patch of slight pitting. The action and locks retain 40% original case colors. The lightly freshened wood is fine with minor dings and scratches and some worn checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 20,000 - 40,000