October 30 - November 2, 2018 Firearms, Militaria, & Sporting
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/30/2018
(1912) Before WWI this grade of gun was called the "G70"; after the war the grade and price changed to 90 guineas. It was the top grade of the facile princeps line, and was priced equally with the best sidelock gun. This example has 28" dovetailed barrels with slightly raised, narrow, matted game rib. An unmatted portion of rib is engraved "W. W. Greener. Maker. 29, Pall Mall. London. Works, St Mary's Square. Birmingham." Tops of barrels are engraved "Sir Joseph Whitworth's Fluid Compressed Steel". There are 1-3/4" triangles of well cut open shaded scroll with oak leaf highlights at breech ends. Barrel flats are stamped with Birmingham nitro proofs for 2 - 3/4" chambers. Bottoms of barrels are stamped with Whitworth sheaf-of-wheat and Greener elephant trademarks, along with serial numbers. Case hardened scallop-backed action with internal "G" ejector system features side safety (SAFE in gold), hidden crossbolt third fastener, gold plated internals, and double triggers. Action is slightly reinforced, and has beautifully filed transition to sides and with beads running behind fences which are exceptionally well carved in relief double shells. This is a signature style of the vaunted Harry Tomlinson, Greener's best engraver. Remainder of the action is near fully engraved with superb open shaded scroll with oak leaf and wheat ear highlights surrounding nicely detailed game scenes; a pointer on left side pointing a rising covey of quail, and right side portrays a spaniel barking and plunging into a marsh as two ducks take flight. Trigger plate portrays a brace of grouse, one on each side, with another grouse flying toward viewer on forward arch. Action pin on top tang is ensnared by the coils of a snake. Top lever is gold inlaid with classic imperial grade Sovereign's crown and scepter. Trigger guard bow has wonderful scene of retriever with dead rabbit flanked by ears of wheat. Trigger guard tang is engraved with serial number in semi-relief, and "Grade G. 70." This imaginative and nicely laid out engraving is also undoubtedly by Tomlinson. Striking dark marbled and stump figured European walnut round knob pistol grip newly made buttstock measures 15" over 1/2" thick serrated horn buttplate. There are inlet horn drop points behind side panels and grip is checkered in fancy pattern. A gold oval on toe line is engraved "C. G. R. 2nd" "FROM" "A. P. R." "1932". Forend with original wood has fancy inlet schnabeled horn tip, superb borderless checkering, and Deeley release. What is possibly original oak and leather case with brass corners is embossed "G. H. S." on top. Interior is lined in green velvet. A fancy gold embossed maroon leather Greener label is in lid. Bottom portion is semi-french fitted for gun, barrels, and accessories which include round Greener marked oil bottle, two WWG marked horn handled turnscrews, German silver and horn Hawksley chamber brush, and two Hawksley snap caps, along with cleaning equipment including a 3 piece ebony and German silver cleaning rod. CONDITION: Very good, as partially refurbished. Barrels retain over 95% of an old re-black with subsequent silvering on sides and some light marks and scratches. Engraving remains clear and fairly sharp. Action is mostly faded to pewter gray with traces of color visible where protected. All engraving remains in good condition. Trigger guard retains most of an old re-blue, engraving at grip somewhat softened. Stock retains nearly all of its hand rubbed oil finish with some light marks. Buttplate does not fit well. Forend appears to be very lightly refinished, checkering lightly worn. Bores are excellent. Action is tight. Barrels are on face. As is very important with these guns, the ejectors are well regulated and in time. Case leather is very dark, has been preserved with Neatsfoot oil over many scuffs and rubs. Interior velvet is good to very good with soiling and compressions from gun and accessories. Action compartment has partitions moved to accommodate longer stock. Accessories are good to fine. A great shootable example of this all time classic shotgun. MGM57
Barrel Wall Thickness
L .028 R .030
Choke
L .024 (mod) R .004 (IC)
Internal Bore Diameter
L .734 R .731
Length Of Pull
15" cast about 1/4" off