doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion Classic & Custom Single Barreled Sporting Rifles @ doublegunshop.com Greener-Field's Patent SS

I have this Greener (Jeffrey's vendor marked barrel). When it was sold to a friend of mine, many years past, as I recall it was a beautiful little rimfire approximately .25 Cal (barrel marked 25/20). When he passed away and I obtained the rifle I found he had had it converted to Center fire. I am having trouble figuring out what the caliber is now. I have included a photo of the chamber casting to see if anyone can help me out here. It doesn't seem to conform to anything I can find listed. I would appreciate any information on this rifle as I know nothing about it's past. Thanks Larry

Measurements are approximate, but close
Cartridge length: 1.63 inch
Rim Dia.: .397 Inch
Case Dia ahead of rim: .324 inch
Case Dia at mouth: .287
Groove Dia.: .260 inch

That is a WOW rifle if ever I saw one. Beautiful.

I suppose it isn't a .25-20 SS as there doesn't seem to be quite enough neck and shoulder but it is close if the length is right. There is a 25-21 or something like that.

Whatever it is, I sure like it. What twist is it?

I like your rifle, a lot. Looks like a .25-20 SS to me. Did your friend have tools and loads for it?

Greener is very good about sharing the records on who and when a firearm of there's was made and sold.

I love the Field's Patent falling block rifles. This WW Greener with the roll marked engraving on the sides is beautiful.

I have to agree with the guys above ... given the barrel marks and chamber cast, 25-20 Single Shot. ... great cartridge!

Enjoy !

What a sweetie! Let us know what you find.

Got in contact with Graham Greener, very nice to deal with, they have no record of the rifle, but told me where to look for the serial number. Serial number is "979" which indicated that it was made for Greener by Fields:

"William Field invented this type of falling block rifle in 1877 and some 2,500 of these actions were made by the Field Rifle Company between 1885 and 1898 but many were barrelled and stocked by other makers including ourselves in calibres from .303 up to .500.

Regret we do not have that number in our records, however, that number would indicate that Field made the action in 1886. The rifle appears to have been proved before 1904 so that window between 1886 and 1904 would be when the rifle was made."

I guess my next step is Jeffery's to see if they have a sales record.

Larry

I would say it is a 25-20 Single Shot, based on the physical appearance of your casting. The 25-25 and 25-21 were straight cased cartridges, much longer that the 25-20 SS. From accounts I have read, the 25-20 SS was a common caliber for re-chambering these types of rifles when proper ammunition became unavailable. If it is a 25-20 SS, Buffalo Arms can help you out with dies and brass. Good Luck!