ww Greener, London Model Empire Deluxe, Dbl Bl Boxlock Ejector, 12 Ga, 28
Guns International #: 100446960 Seller's Inventory #:
Category: Greener, WW Shotguns - Shotguns - English Double
Seller's Information
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Seller: rcrwin70
Member Since: 9/26/07
First Name: Roger
State: Hawaii
Country: United States
Platinum Seller
Number of Active Listings: 0
Seller: Private Seller
Return Policy: 3 day inspection and return policy on used guns.
3 days
Payment Types Accepted: cashiers check or money order or pay pal plus 3%
Description:
SOLD ** W.W. Greener, Empire Deluxe London Model, Boxlock Ejector, 12 gauge, 28” 2 ¾”
Barrels are original, not sleeved, with mirror bores. Minimum wall thickness is .042, practically new and unused.
According to Graham Greener in a personal letter to me, Serial No. 74633 was built just after World War II, designed for sales in their London establishment. This statement aligns with the inscription on the hand-filed concave rib which reads: “W.W. GREENER. MAKER. 40 PALL MALL LONDON. WORKS. BIRMINGHAM.” Mr. Greener stated that these London guns were no longer available after August 1952. This London Empire Model is not the same model brought into the US in the ‘60s which was a much more affordable gun and sold as Empire and Deluxe Empire until 1967, as listed in the Blue Book.
This handsome side by side is from an era when English gunmaking craft and skill was at its peak, with Greener’s version of the Anson and Deeley action and their world renowned Greener crossbolt and Greener safety, both copied today by nearly every German maker for drillings and vierlings. Choked: Left .733/.026 IM and Right .732/.020 Mod., Proofed for 1 ¼ oz. Nitro., automatic ejectors, manual safety, double triggers.
This gun, when brand new, was kept in a sheep wool gun case collecting some moisture as the barrels had to be professionally reblacked and there are some cosmetic light pitting on the outside of the barrels, breech area of the top rib, and a small area on the water table and the right side of the receiver. There is no interior pitting in the bores which show new and still ring like church bells. There is no pitting that affected the lock-up which is as tight as the day it was made. This is a good honest WW Greener that is ready for another 100 years of service afield.
Light border engraving on the action and on all the metal accoutrements. Original Case colors are still good. The English walnut stock has original finish at about 98% with a round knob Prince of Wales pistol grip and English splinter forend, inlaid at the tip with buffalo horn. Stock color is rich deep walnut brown, matching on both stock and forend. Other stock adornments include an inlaid monogram oval (not engraved) and a 1” Silvers recoil pad. Checkering patterns are well designed and generous at 24 lpi, still sharp with no missing diamonds. The wood is in excellent condition, exhibiting only very slight handling marks. Stock measurements: LOP 14 13/16”x 1 11/16” x 2 11/16” cast off 1” Weight 7lbs 6 oz
About WW Greener guns: In The Great Guns by Harold L. Peterson and Robert Elman, in their one chapter on shotguns, “The Classic Smoothbores,” the authors make many references to the guns made by W.W. Greener. On page 124 of the first edition, “…by the 1870’s hammerless models with top release levers and snap-closing latches, perfected by such great British makers and designers as Anson & Deeley, W.W. Greener, and Rigby, were being offered…both in Europe and America. In 1897 an American customer could buy a serviceable double-barreled shotgun from Sears, Roebuck for $5.35 but he could also order a fine English W.W. Greener model from the same company for $187.50! Greener shotguns were the envy of all. In the movie, Big Jake, 1971, John Wayne uses a pair of Greener double barreled shotguns to thwart the kidnappers and bring back his young grandson. We often hear Winchester’s and Colt’s names mentioned in movies, but we rarely hear the maker’s name of a shotgun. Wayne simply called them, his “Greeners”.
This model would be worth about $2000 more if it had not been kept in the wool case. It is a very good buy at this price. Price is $2,195, Shipping $35 to any of the lower 48 states, FFL required, payment by personal check with wait for validation, money order, or certified check. Seller is Roger Rule, Author of The Rifleman's Rifle.
SOLD