A W.W.Greener 8Bore- A Jewel from Birmingham

[Vikram]

This is probably the best 8 Bore wild-fowler that I have come across. Magnificent in every sense.

http://auctions.holtsauctioneers.com/as ... o=+++69472

http://www.holtsauctioneers.com/Admin/1396.pdf

W. W. GREENER
A MAGNIFICENT GILMORE AND MILLS-ENGRAVED DOUBLE-BARRELLED 8-BORE 'ROYAL' UNIQUE EJECTOR WILDFOWLING GUN, serial no. 54025,
32in. Greener trade mark wrought steel nitro reproved barrels with tapered finely matted raised rib, central cartouche engraved 'W. W. GREENER. MAKER. 68. HAYMARKET. LONDON. WORKS ST. MARY'S SQUARE. BIRMINGHAM.', and with fine acanthus scroll details in rococco style at the breech end, the tubes with engraved bands of oak leaves on a matted background, impressive treble-grip scroll-back action with side shoulders, Greener 1873 patent crossbolt, manual side-safety with gold-inlaid 'SAFE' and arrow detail, Harry Greener 1889 patent 'Unique' ejector system, partially gold-washed internals, the toplever gold-inlaid with a crown, fences deeply carved in high relief with oak leaves and acorns, side-shoulders with ropework bordering, the action finely engraved with bold acanthus scrollwork interspersed with further oak leaves and acorns on a matted background, surrounding circular and oval vignettes of wildfowl in wetland settings, the triggerguard engraved en suite and with a retriever with mallard, the safety housing with a snipe, retaining very slight traces of original colour-hardening, silver steel finish overall, 14 5/8in. highly-figured semi-pistolgrip stock with ornately bordered chequering, arrow-shaped horn teardrop inserts and with permanently attached leather extension with approx. 5/8in. recoil pad, fore-end with Deeley & Edge patent release catch and fine horn finial, weight 12lb. 5oz., together with a brass-cornered leather case (missing interior, poor condition overall)

Provenance: The makers have kindly confirmed that the gun was completed, with 32in. barrels, as one of a pair of 'Royal' 8-bore guns ordered and shipped to their New York establishment. The gun was started on the 10th February 1905 and finished on the 26th July the same year.
The records show that the engraving was undertaken by two craftsmen, the carved fences and scrollwork by Gilmore and the game scenes by Mills.

Best-
Vikram

[herb]

Wow! that is one pretty gun. Did the Unique use the Facile Princeps action or was it an A&D? I know the ejector system is complex. I have the Greener book somewhere and will have to look it up.

Thanks Vikram for sharing.

Herb

[ckkalyan]

Wow! What a beauty, a work of art no less!

Thanks for sharing Vikram

[timmy]

Vikram, that is astonishing! The workmanship is gorgeous, and that wood! Lovely, indeed.

[Vikram]

I am glad you gents liked it. As I said earlier, nothing short of magnificent.

Herb, I would not know if Greener used the FP action on this one. If you could check and let us know, that would be great.Thank you.

Please find the PDF file about the Facile Princeps action attached. It is taken fromThe Gun and its Development written by Greener himself.

http://rbsiii.com/Guns/Facile_Princeps.pdf


Best-
Vikram

[brihacharan]

> Good heavens - What a beauty!
> Just couldn't take my eyes off - kept watching the images over & over again - the supreme artistry in the engraving & finish - precision & perfection that defy description!
> Add to that Mr. Greener's write-up with diagrams - wow!
> Just wondering who owns it now & the price paid then.....
A big thanks Vikram for sharing
Briha

[coltpython]

Beautiful gun

[BowMan]

There are guns and then there is art. And then there are things that span both....

I started looking at the tang screw and the top lever screw. And my oh my, both are perfectly aligned with the barrel (Hmm...may be just a coincidence)! But then there are the three receiver, again nearly perfectly aligned. I guess someone put this together with extreme amounts of love and passion...

Definitely one of the finest boxlocks one could see!!!

[sa_ali]

WOWW, this is a beauty, excellent engraving and above all good condition too.

[ckkalyan]

all the way - to the gun club! Enjoyed the images....

[william]

Hi Vikram have the barrels on the greener 8 bore been shortened, William

[Vikram]

Hi Vikram have the barrels on the greener 8 bore been shortened, William

William,

The description does not mention that.They, the auctioneers, usually do mention that sort of details especially in the case of a relatively rare and expensive gun like this.

[TC]

What a beauty ! Wish I could go down on my knees and ask......

Thanks Vikram

TC

[william]

Hi Vikram the greener 8 is a excellent gun, I have never owned one but the three I have seen all had 36 inch barrels,William

[Vikram]

Yes. Most of the 8 bores I have seen had 36" barrels.