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fine W.W. Greener, Facile Princeps, List No. 28, double barrel, hammerless, Damascus, non-ejector, 12 bore shotgun
Guns International #: 102587990 Seller's Inventory #:
Category: Shotguns - English Double Antique - Greener, WW Shotguns
Seller's Information
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Seller: R.A. Butler
Member Since: 2/25/18
First Name: Richard
Last Name: Butler
State: Indiana
Zip: 47025
Country: United States
Phone: (812) 537-9820
Number of Active Listings: 1
Total Number of Listings: 13
Seller: Private Seller
Return Policy: 3 day inspection and return policy on used guns.
Payment Types Accepted:
Description:
I just can’t say enough good about the legendary Greeners – either William Greener who worked for a period of time for none other than John Manton or William Wellington (or W.W.) Greener, the builder of this gun, who parted ways with his venerable father’s business over William’s devotion to muzzleloading guns and W.W.’s belief that breechloading guns were the future. As impossible as it sounds, I think they were both right. I regularly shoot and enjoy both muzzleloading and breechloading guns. It must say something about Williams position that I and countless others still enjoy muzzleloading guns 168 years after his devotion caused W.W. to set out on his own. Both William and W.W. were authorities and prolific writers on the subject of guns. Both also contributed significantly to the development of guns and gunmaking. William’s and W.W.’s businesses came together shortly after Williams passing in 1869 and W.W. Greener Limited continues in business today, with Graham Greener, the great grandson of W.W. Greener, as one of its directors. One can still call Greener in England today and speak to Graham!
Not surprisingly then, William Greener and W.W. Greener are giants among English gunmakers which has long made their work highly sought after among sportsmen and collectors alike. It’s something special to own a Greener gun. It connects us to the rich history of English guns, gunning, and gunmaking.
This 130 year old handsome Facile Princeps gun with lots of original finish was completed on August 31, 1893 for "Mr. McIlvain." The gun comes with a letter from Graham Greener himself identifying the name of each of the craftsmen that worked on the gun, including how much each was paid.
The Facile Princeps was invented just 13 years earlier in 1880 and is the strongest action, weight for weight, of any gun made with the famous Greener cross-bolt. The gun is marked "List No. 28" at the tail of the trigger guard tang. List No. 28 identifies the grade or the quality of the gun and comes from the number of the gun in the catalogs of the period. Grade listing changed over the years and List No. 28 became "F 16" in later years, F standing for Facipe Princeps and 16 being the cost of the gun in guineas. A guinea being one pound sterling and one shilling.
This handsome gun locks up tight with Greener's Patent Triple Wedgefast system. The action is signed “W.W. GREENER” and retains most all of the original casehardening. The 30" long I4 Damascus barrels retain their original finish, thinning from the breech through the forend as you would expect from handling during use. The elevated concave rib is marked "PATENT TRIPLE WEDGEFAST" and "W.W. GREENER, ST. MARY’S SQUARE, BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND, WINNER AT ALL GUN TRIALS, 1875 TO 1891." The barrels are each struck with Birmingham black powder proof marks and the charming Greener “Elephant” trademark. The bores are choked approximately 0.012" on the right and 0.035" on the left. The chambers are 3". The plain iron trigger guard retains nearly all of its blue finish, the tang engraved with the serial number and "List No. 28" at the tail. The checkered horn buttplate is solid but with evidence of moth damage. All mounted in a well figured 2 7/8" by 1 7/8" by 14 1/4" with 5/16" cast off English straight hand stock with fine flat-top checkered grip and forearm and what appears to be a Britannia metal vacant oval escutcheon near the toe of the buttstock. Weight: 7 pounds 6 ounces.
Mechanically excellent.
Here's a chance to own a fine English double sporting gun in its original configuration and with lots of original finish by one of the legendary English makers.
As you're considering this gun, remember the advice of a late gun collecting friend of mine, “you only regret the guns you don’t buy,” “where are you going to find another one,” and “you can make more money tomorrow.” Please also remember, whatever you’re thinking of offering me, “I’ve got more than that in it!” Lastly, remember that you can never pay too much for a gun. You minght buy one too soon, but you never pay too much.
SOLD
Antique: Yes
Shotgun Gauge: 12 Gauge
Manufacturer: W.W. Greener
Model: Facile Princeps, List No. 28
Serial Number: 41188
Barrel Length: 30”
Chambers: 3”
Ejectors: non-ejector
Condition: fine
Metal Condition: fine to excellent
Wood Condition: fine to excellent
Bore Condition: excellent
Barrels: I4 Damascus
Barrel Type: double
Action: Facile Princeps
Triggers: double
Stock: straight hand English walnut
Stock Dimensions:
2 7/8” by 1 7/8” by 14 1/4” with 5/16” cast off
Stock Comb: 1 7/8”
Stock Heel: 2 7/8”
Stock Cast: 5/16”
Butt Pad: horn (solid but with moth damage)
LOP: 14 1/4”
Rib: elevated concave
Weight: 7lbs 6oz
Sights: front bead
Manufacture Date: 1893
Choke Left: approximately 0.035”
Choke Right: approximately 0.012”
Proof:Nitro: no
Proof:Black: yes