October 30 - November 2, 2018 Firearms, Militaria, & Sporting
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/30/2018
(1934, factory letter) This superb condition middle grade gun is most likely classified as "special" because of its very unusual 3" chambering. Engraving and finish correspond to a 70 guinea gun of its time. It replaced the FH 45 grade made before WWI. It has 30" dovetailed barrels fitted with concave, matted rib engraved "W. W. Greener. Maker. 40 Pall Mall. London. S.W. Works St. Mary's Square, Birmingham." There are 3/4" triangles of scroll engraving at breech ends. Barrel flats are stamped with Birmingham nitro proofs for 3" chambers and 1-1/2 oz. of shot. Greener elephant trademarks and serial numbers are stamped on the bottoms of barrels. Case hardened scallop backed boxlock action is filed with serpentine fences and slight reinforce to frame. It features Greener type side safety, hidden crossbolt third fastener, and double triggers. Action is engraved with near full coverage varying sized large open shaded scroll with oak leaf bands on reinforces, and acanthus and floral highlights. "W. W. GREENER" is in arched device on each side. Blued top lever and single beaded trigger guard are also scroll engraved. Serial number and "Special" "Grade" are on trigger guard tang. Very finely marbled and somewhat burl figured dense European walnut round knob pistol grip buttstock measures 14 - 1/4" over serrated horn buttplate on 1/2" ebony extension. This appears to be original treatment. Flush inlet diamond shaped horn drop points are behind side panels, and well cut borderless point pattern checkering wraps over top of grip. Gold oval on toe line is engraved "J. J. V." (Matching initials on case.) Matching splinter Southgate ejector forend with inlet horn tip has Deeley release. Ejector internals are gold plated. Gun is housed in its original leather case with brass corners and dual brass locks, embossed "J. J. V." on top. Interior is lined in green velvet and a gold embossed maroon leather label is in lid. Bottom compartment is semi-french fitted for gun and barrels, and an attractive array of original accessories including 3 piece ebony and German silver cleaning rod with mop, brush, jag, and Turks head, two horn handled turnscrews stamped "WWG", Greener marked large round oil bottle, pair of snap caps, nickel-plated chamber brush with horn handle, bone handled dusting brush, pull through field cleaning kit, leather hand guard, and neat broken cartridge extractor incorporating a whistle. CONDITION: Excellent, near new, as most likely lightly re-freshened in London. Barrels retain nearly all of a best re-black. Action retains 98%+ case hardening color, engraving a bit soft. Top lever and trigger guard are lightly silvered from normal wear; blue appears to be original. Stocks retain nearly all of a hand rubbed oil finish over some marks, checkering lightly worn. Bores are excellent. Action is tight. Barrels are on face. Ejectors are strong and in time. There is some lifted wood at the interface of buttstock and left rear of action. Case leather is still light in color with some minor bumps and rubs. Original handle is fair to good, a bit tender. Interior cloth is fine to very fine with rubs, bumps, and compressions, lightly soiled from contact with barrels. Accessories are very fine to excellent. An impressive and unusual heavy Greener. MGM64
Accessories
Case With Accessories
Barrel Wall Thickness
L .039 R .035
Choke
L .038 (extra full) R .020 (Mod)
Internal Bore Diameter
L .730 R .730
Length Of Pull
14 - 1/4" neutral cast