doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Greener Gun Pics.

Hi all,

Attached are a few photos of a Greener .
There are a couple of things I have yet to figure out.
Firstly the reproof date code,it appears to be a "W" however I am told they stopped at "V"(1941),perhaps its an upside down "M"?
The word "England" does this suggest it was made for the overseas market?
Barrels,Damascus of some kind,I suspect they are "Laminated Steel".Can some knowledgeable person confirm this.
Lastly, the date of manufacture and the List number,are there any serial/list number charts anywhere?

Cheers,

GDU.

Come on Greg, I know you're from New Zealand but lets get the greeting right. It's "Hi all y'all" . all y'all being the plural for y'all here in Gods country (Texas).

Gregdownunder,
Serial number 34835 ,gun made 1892.
"List," Was a grading/price code used by Greener from 1884-1894.List 27 states that your gun sold for 20 guineas and was the least expensive gun in their mid quality guns. By comparison their best gun at this time sold for 60 guineas.
Reproof and Nitro Proof marks are circa 1904-1925.
For further reading see Graham Greeners book, The Greener Story.

Well I would have said "G'day mates" but the Aussies have stolen it along with our pavlova!

Here you go Greg http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pavlova_(food) check it out.
Steve

Thats great information thanks Roy,
I picked it as a medium grade gun, good to confirm.
1892,a little older than I thought.
If you look at the seventh photo there is the date code W above crossed scepters, however "V" is the last number mentioned in the Birmingham date codes as 1941.
Are you sure they are 1904-25 proof marks not 1925-54?
I have Emailed Graeme Greener to see if he still has copies available.

I had an opportunity several months back to purchase a British hammer gun with the name of some New Zealand hardware store engraved on the rib. Interesting, built in England, sold in New Zealand and finally finds it's way to South Texas USA, I almost bought it just for the provenance.
Steve

What was the store?
Hazards,Colonial ammunition company,Symonds,there are quite a few we still see here,largely with Christchurch addresses.
As you say, made in Birmingham retailed here.
Quite common to see NZ marked Lee Enfield's all over the world too.

Something to consider: In 1892 a guinea was equal to approximately $5.US, so 60 guineas would be equal to about $300. in 1892. According to the internet inflation calculator, $300. in 1892 would be equal to $7185.37 today. That's a lot of money for a mid grade shotgun! It points up what a relative bargin some of these older guns are today and how afflent the original buyers must have been.

RB

The barrels are Greener's "Silver Steel", a laminated variant
http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dfg2hmx7_62d9d3mdmb