W.W. Greener | Dogs and Doubles

This week’s 5 doubles you don’t want to miss …

July 7, 2019 by Gregg

PARKER DHE 28 GAUGE, 30" bbls, Straight Stock, 14 7/8" LOP — PARKER DHE 28 GAUGE, 30″ bbls, Straight Stock, 14 7/8″ LOP

PARKER DHE 28 GAUGE: #2374XX, OO FRAME, RARE 30″ BARRELS 008 AND 018 2 3/4, DOUBLE TRIGGER, EJECTORS, BEAVERTAIL FOREARM, ENGLISH GRIP, SKELETON BUTT, EXCELLENT, ORIGINAL CONDITION, 6LBS 4 OZ, 2″ DAH, 1 7/16″ DAC, 14 7/8″ LOP. Price: $49,500

William Evans 12 gauge boxlock (30″, “Pall Mall”): This is a very nice William Evans 12 ga. boxlock with double triggers.The automatic selective ejectors are robust. The gun sports 2 3/4 ” chambers and is a joy to shoot. Serial Number: 9426. Chambers: 2 3/4″. Ejectors: Automatic Selective. Condition: Very Good. Metal Condition: Very Good. Wood Condition: Very Good . Bore Condition: Very Good. Barrels: 30″. Gauge: 12. Stock Comb: 1 3/8″. Stock Heel: 2 1/4″. Stock Cast: Off. LOP: 14 3/4″. Weight: 6 lbs., 7.7oz. (6.48lbs). Manufacture Date: Circa 1909 . Chokes: IM / F. Choke Left: .696.” Choke Right: .707″. Case: Original canvas, wood, leather. Price: $4500

BROWNING Superposed – Superlight – 20ga – As New in Box – With Briley Chokes: 1970 – Browning Superposed Superlight – 20ga, 26-1/2″, 2-3/4″, Briley Chokes (CL / SK / IC / LM / LF), Tapered Vent Rib, English Stock, Game Forearm, LOP 14-3/4″ to a 7/8″ Leather Covered Pad, Drop 1-1/2″ to 2-1/4″, Weight 5 lbs. 13 oz. Someone took a MINT As New in Original Box Superlight and turned it into a perfect upland shooting machine. The gun looks like it was NEW when they started the project, and not used after the modifications. The checkering is really sharp. The pad is perfectly executed. The metal is 99%. The gun is so tight it still has to be pushed open. The wood finish appears to be a satin lacquer. A Great Gun! Price: $3650

Beretta 471 Silver Hawk 20ga/28″ Multichoke: Factory original and in near new condition. Factory case and accessories included. Price: $3,495

L.C. Smith Quality 2E 20 Gauge: This L.C. Smith 2E in 20 gauge is in overall very good condition. The wood on the stock and forearm has very appealing grain and is an English style stock. The barrels are also in very good condition retaining a very good amount of bluing. The engravings on both sides and the bottom of the receiver are still very apparent. There does appear to be a slight repair on the forearm as seen in the picture of the forearm. This would make a very nice addition to a collection of American shotguns. Curio/Relic: Yes, Chambers: 2 3/4 inch side by side with ejectors. Metal Condition: Very good with light handling and wear marks. Wood Condition: Very good with few handling marks. Bore Condition: Good condition for the age of the gun. Barrels: 28-inch blued barrels with solid rib. Triggers: Single trigger. Stock: Checkered walnut in the English style. Stock Dimensions: 14-inch LOP 1 1/2 inch DAC and 2-inch DAH Fore End: Checkered walnut. Butt Pad: Black original butt plate. Weight: 7 lb 7 oz. Sights: Front and mid bead on a solid rib. Chokes: Improved Cylinder/Modified Price: $2,999.99

W. W. GREENER – FH 35 – 12 GA.: 27” BLS. IC/MOD. – WITH GREENER’S “WATERSHIELD” RIB – REPLACEMENT STRAIGHT HAND STOCK 15 3/8” X 1 3/8” X 2 5/16” X 3/8” CAST OFF – CHAMS. 2 ½” WITH 1 ¼ OZ. PROOF – A FEW STOCK DINGS AND ONE DING IN RIB. SOME BLUE WEAR ON BLS. Price: $2,500

Two of the world’s greatest gunmakers…

July 19, 2016July 17, 2016 by Gregg

Gunmaking, like any task, can be practiced at different levels. The folks building these inexpensive Dickinson SxSs and the ones building Dickson Round Actions are doing essentially the same thing, but with different amounts of time, skill, and precision.

W.W. GREENER PREMIER SIDELOCK SXS DOUBLE BARREL 16 GAUGE SHOTGUN. BUILT BY DRYHURST & TANDY.

Today, few people practice gunmaking at the absolute top level. David Dryhurst and Richard Tandy are two of them. In 1982 they became part owners of W.W. Greener, and since then they’ve gone on to build some of the finest doubles coming out of the UK — or anywhere else. You can find out more about their backgrounds and see some of their fabulous guns on this new website: W.W. Greener – The New Guns

W.W. GREENER PREMIER SIDELOCK SXS DOUBLE BARREL 16 GAUGE SHOTGUN

This week’s good guns: Powered by Gunsinternational.com …

December 20, 2015 by Gregg

GREENER 360 NO. 2 EJECTOR SxS DOUBLE RIFLE: Exceptionally fine condition this Anson & Deeley boxlock Ejector Greener Double Rifle was made in 1928 and remains in exceptional condition. The Trigger guard is engraved: “GRADE R.E.H.T. 60” Chambered for the .360 #2, 3” it has great bores and the previous owner reports excellent accuracy. The gun weighs 10 lb 7 oz with 26 ½” barrels. The front sight is a moderate size bead with a fixed rear sight labeled 100 yards and folding leaves at 200 and 300 yards. The stock is straight grain well laid out walnut nicely checked over the top of the grip. The length of pull is 14 3/8” with drop from line of sight at 1 7/8” and 2 ¾” to the heel. The barrels shows the “40 Pall Mall, London. S.W.” address and are engraved for the “Cordite 55 Grs Bullet ‘320Grs” load. Barrel flats show Greener Trade Mark elephant, Birmingham Nitro Proofs and chamber specs. The gun is in wonderful condition with the only corrosion in the Greener Safety recess with gold SAFE lettering. The stock has a few nicks, shows some shrinkage but is overall excellent. The butt is capped with a checkered steel buttplate and a horn grip cap and forend tip.The checkering is in excellent condition and is more pointed-up and not flat-toppedd giving a firm grip. Some cartridge brass is included with the rifle. Price: $19,995

CHARLES DALY DIAMOND QUALITY 16GA: Early Lindner manf. 26in IC and Full. .006 & .024. Double triggers. Automatic ejectors. Receiver fully scroll engraved with game scene on bottom and trigger guard. 50-60% case coloring. 97-98% blue. 14 1/4 LOP pad. 1 1/2 comb 2 1/4 heel. Excellent bores. Light weight model only 6 lbs! Price: $8,950

W.W. GREENER JUBILEE GRADE SIDE-BY-SIDE – 12 GAUGE – EJECTORS – HIGH CONDITION FROM 1934: Here is an oustanding original condition Greener Jubilee Grade made in 1934 to celebrate His Majesty, King George’s Silver Jubilee. This gun features a Anson and Deeley style scalloped action with ejectors. Case colors at 80%. Original bore configuration and in proof – chambers ar 2 1/2″, chokes at IC (12/1000) and Full (42/1000). Rolled edge trigger guard. Auto safety. Tight on face. Barrels ring true – no loose ribs. Nicely executed engraving including fences and barrel bands. Unengraved stock oval. Barrel length is 27″. Flat top checkering. The annual production of hand made guns for WW Greener in 1934 was a total of 100 guns. Made in a great period of English gunmaking. Stock dimensions: LOP – 14 1/8″, Drop at Comb – 1 1/2″, Drop at Heel – 2″. Price: $3,500

HIGH QUALITY “Gastinne Renette, A Paris” FRENCH SxS SHOTGUN: A 12 ga shotgun chambered for 2-1/2″ shells. A very classic looking European shotgun with a straight grip stock. Very thin in the wrist area. Very tight engraving on the frame. Heavy deep relief engraved bolsters. The frame has most case color remaining. Typical of European style, the inset panel is in blue as is the trigger guard. Extensive high quality engraving with the classical long pointed lower tang. Bbl blue very nice also. Wood is good overall cond with typical hunting mars and dings. The buttplate on this is not separate but instead sculpted into the stock. Price: $2,100.

L C SMITH NO.2, 30″ DAMASCUS BARRELS, EXCELLENT WOOD: No Cracks, Tight Action, SN#40601, Made in 1897-98. LOP: 14 1/2″ Front Trigger, 13 1/2″ Back Trigger. Three Position Safety, Gun Requires Low Pressure Shells. Price is $949.00 or Best Offer by January 30. 2016. Antique Gun, No FFL Required. Price: $949.00 or Best Offer by January 30. 2016.

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September 7, 2014 by Gregg

W.W. GREENER BEST DOUBLE RIFLE 450-400 2 3/8: MADE 1888 26″ DAMASCUS BARRELS WITH EJECTORS AND PERFECT BORES DOUBLE TRIGGER PISTOL GRIP APPEARS TO BE ORIGINAL CONDITION WITH TRACES OF CASE COLORS AND MAKERS CASE 8LBS 1 OZ X 14 1/8. Price: $15,000

Connecticut Shotgun RBL Launch Edition 20 Gauge: Band new. Single trigger, straight grip, 28″ bbls, 14 3/4″ LOP. In original box with case and all accessories. Price: $3750

Winchester Model 21 Shotgun – 12 Ga. – 30 in. Barrels – Circa 1947: Original condition. 2 3/4″ chambers with 30″ barrels. Right is marked mod, left is marked full. It has automatic ejectors, a single selective trigger, a pistol grip with high grade wood and a Beavertail forearm. The forearm is missing a screw on the bottom and has a very slight crack in the wood towards the rear of the forearm. Very little blueing loss and the bore is bright and shiny. The wood has light usage marks. Mechanically perfect. Shoots fine. The serial number indicates it is Circa 1947. Price: $3,299

Charles Daly Prussian/Lindner 10 GA SxS: Price: $2,999.99

Charles Daly Prussian/Lindner 10 GA SxS:Charles Daly Prussian/Lindner 10 GA SxS: — Charles Daly Prussian/Lindner 10 GA SxS:

Caliber:	10 GA
Chambers:	2 3/4 inch.
Metal Condition:	Very good. Shows a little use/age.
Wood Condition:	Good. Shows some light handling marks.
Bore Condition:	Shiny
Barrels:	30 inch Damascus barrel with a solid rib.
Triggers:	Double
Stock:	Checkered walnut round knob. Lightly engraved case colored receiver.
Stock Dimensions:	LOP 14 inches.
Fore End:	Checkered walnut Splinter style with an ebony tip.
Butt Pad:	Checkered black plate.
Weight:	9 lbs. 6 oz.
Sights:	Metal front bead.
Chokes:	Fixed Cylinder both barrels.

ITHACA FLUES FIELD GRADE IN 20 GAUGE – ORIGINAL CONDITION: Here is a excellent condition Ithaca Flues Field Grade in 20 gauge. Original condition thoughout. Damascus barrels are 28″ with mirror bores. Right bore measures at .609 with 21/1000 choke (full) while left is .610 with 22/1000 choke (full). Chambers are 2 3/4″. Extractors. All serial numbers match. Ithaca hard butt plate. Gun is onface with top lever right of center. Weight of gun is 5 LBS 11 1/8 OZ. Shipping is $40. LOP – 14 1/4″ Drop at Comb – 1 5/8″ Drop at Heel – 2 3/4″. Price: $895

A couple great Greeners, both F25s side-by-sides in 28 gauge…

November 19, 2013November 26, 2013 by Gregg

W.W. Greener Facile Princeps Actio — W.W. Greener’s Facile Princeps Action

W.W. Greener made some of my favorite shotguns — especially the doubles they made on their Facile Princeps boxlock. The Facile Princeps was patented in 1880, four years after Westley Richard’s famous Anson & Deeley patent boxlock. The designs are similar, so much that they sparked a lawsuit — a lawsuit which Greener won.

The Greeners you see here are both F25s – the lower end of the medium-grade Facile Princeps offered by the company. As you can see, the design of the this model changed a bit over time. That being said, they were always very well made doubles.

W. W. Greener FH25 in 28 gauge SxS Shotgun

W. W. Greener F25 in 28 gauge SxS Shotgun: A rare gun with auto ejectors, 27″ barrels choked full & mod. LOP is 14 1/4″, English stock with well figured straight grip. 4-3/4 lbs. with checkered butt. Nice engraving with case. An unusual collector grade Greener. Price: $19,995

W.W. Greener F25 Facile Princeps 28 Ga. Double Gun: Serial #67177, 28 Bore, 27″ barrels with excellent, bright bores. This is a beautiful little gun built on Greener’s Facile Princeps non-ejecting boxlock action and exhibits almost no evidence of any past use. The ribbed barrels retain virtually all of the original blue with just a few hints of silvering at the muzzles and the frame, which is engraved with tasteful decorative flourishes and the “W.W. GREENER” ribands, retains a commensurate amount of the original vibrant color case-hardening (almost all of which remains on the breech faces attesting to the lack of use). Even the extractor still retains most of the original lustrous nitre bluing as does the Greener sliding safety on the left side of the wrist.

W.W. Greener FH25 Facile Princeps 28 Ga. Double Gun:

There is a small amount of silvering on the underside of the frame where it meets the forend and an unobtrusive and barely noticeable import mark on the water table. The checkered walnut forend and nicely figured semi-pistol grip buttstock have only some very minor handling marks and surface blemishes scattered about the original oil finish. The stock is proportioned for a lady or young adolescent and has a 13 1/2″ LOP with drops of 1 1/2″ and 2 3/8″ (small but not so small that the gun is unusable to longer armed individuals). About the only flaw worth mentioning is a slight proudness of the forend tip widow’s peak which would be very easy to rectify by a competent gunsmith. The gun is housed in its original Greener labeled, maroon baize-lined leather traveling case and comes complete with the original hang tag, Britannia metal oiler, a partial tube of Greener gun grease, various cleaning tools, and several gun rags.

The case exterior is quite scuffed and the included original leather security straps are flaked and broken but the case itself is still robust and fully serviceable. This is an absolutely gorgeous little 28 bore British double in almost flawless original condition, complete with the original case and accessories, and would make a stellar gun either for woodcock in the fall or simply just to look at in the gunroom. FFL or C&R. Price: $15,995

Auction alert: Parkers, L.C. Smiths, Winchesters, Brownings, & more…

November 15, 2013November 15, 2013 by Gregg

Little John’s Auction Service’s big fall sale starts on Sunday, 11/17, and runs through Tuesday, 11/19. Here are few item coming up on Sunday that caught my eye.

Parker Brothers VH grade SxS Shotgun, 12 gauge: IM/IM choked, 30” Vulcan steel barrels, blue and case hardened finish, double triggers, 14-1/8” length of pull, checkered wood stocks, checkered hard rubber Parker Brothers hunting dog butt plate, #144175. This gun is in overall fair to good condition showing an old cleaning to metal surfaces with scattered areas of erosion and pinprick pitting, near fine bores, action is not working, wood stocks are overall very good with scattered minor mars and scratches from storage and good butt plate and semi-pistol grip hard rubber cap; a great candidate for proper restoration. From an old estate. Est: $1,000-$1,500.

Winchester Model 23 28g Classic SxS hammerless shotgun

Winchester Model 23 .410 Classic SxS hammerless shotgun: Engraved with gold bird on bottom of receiver, .410 gauge, 2-3/4” and 3” chambers, Full choke (L), Modified choke (R), single gold trigger, auto ejectors, 26” ventilated rib barrels, deluxe finely grained checkered wood stocks, Winchester hard rubber butt pad, length of pull is 14-3/4”, #CL410-799E. This gun is in like new condition showing little use or handling. Est: $3,500-$4,500

Outstanding W.W. Greener Grade G 125 SxS 16 gauge Shotgun: #61892.28” Nitro proofed barrels with fine engraving at the breech, British proofed, Elephant Trade Marks, Full (L) & Improved Cylinder (R) choked, blue and case hardened finish, finely engraved receiver with no less than 8 game panel scenes and a gold crown inlaid in the barrel release lever, left side mounted safety cocking button, single trigger marked “Miller”, beaver tail deluxe checkered fore end with ebony tip and engraved release and connector; deluxe checkered butt stock with beautiful graining, ebony inlays on either side of the butt stock slightly ahead of the checkering at the wrist, hard rubber butt pad and gold plaque on underside with engraved intertwined initials “rZS”; length of pull to end of butt pad is 14-5/8”. In fine overall condition showing a deep blue finish to the barrels, the majority of its vivid case colors on the receiver with high point wear on the recoil shields, fine bores, crisp actions and fine wood stocks showing only a couple of minor mars from handling or storage. One of the nicest Greeners this cataloger has seen in many years. Est: $4,000-$8,000.

L. C. Smith Special Grade hammerless SxS shotgun, 20 gauge, 32” factory barrels with ventilated rib: Barrels full and extra full choked, single trigger, auto ejectors, blue and case hardened finish, checkered wood stocks with beaver tail fore end, White Line hard rubber butt pad, length of pull 14” to end of wood, 15-1/4” to end of pad, #FME 91327. Overall very good to fine condition showing the majority of its original blue finish and considerable original case colors on the receiver; very good bores that may clean to fine, crisp actions, fine engraving and very good wood stocks. Est: $1,500-$3,000.

Belgian-made Browning Diana grade O/U shotgun, 12 gauge: 2-3/4” chambers, 28” ventilated rib barrels, Full over Improved Modified choked, blue finish, engraved receiver, single gold trigger, checkered wood stocks, Browning hard rubber butt plate, length of pull to end of plate is 14-1/2”, #35026 S74 in overall excellent condition showing the majority of its original blue finish, fine engraving and markings, fine bores, crisp actions, fine wood stocks with beautiful graining. Est: $2,500-$5,000.

Parker Bros. DHE SxS hammerless shotgun, 16 gauge, 32” barrels: #216364. Blue and case hardened finish, checkered wood stocks with Jostam hard rubber butt pad, double triggers, length of pull is 14-5/8” to end of pad. This gun is in overall very good to near fine condition showing the majority of its muted blue finish on the barrels and an even grey patina to the receiver, bores are very good and should clean to near fine; crisp actions, sharp engraving and markings, very good wood stocks with beautiful flame graining to butt stock. Est: $1,000-$2,000.

Browning SxS BSS shotgun, 12 gauge, for 2-3/4” and 3” shells: 30” barrels, blue finish, checkered wood stocks, #4393A47 in overall fine condition showing the majority of its original finish, fine bores, crisp actions, sharp markings and fine wood stocks; accompanied by a Browning lined suitcase-style carry case and instructions manual. Est: $375-$750

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November 12, 2013November 11, 2013 by Gregg

WW GREENER REHT60 SXS DOUBLE RIFLE 360 #2 3″ NITRO EXPRESS: 26″ BARRELS WITH A 3 LEAF EXPRESS SIGHT DOUBLE TRIGGERS EJECTORS SPLINTER FOREARM PISTOL GRIP INLETTED ENGRAVED AND CHECKERED STEEL BUTT PLATE NEAR NEW ORIGINAL CONDITION 10LBS 8 OZ X 14 1/2. Price: $32,500.00

8 Bore R.B. Rodda Double Rifle, owned by gun writer Jack Lott: 22″ barrels have very very good bores with strong rifling and mike at .875 which indicates a rare brass case rifle, actually a 7 Bore. The rifle has non-rebounding locks that work excellently and it locks up tight on the face. This was a working rifle and has sparse engraving and shows wear as there is very little finish left, however mechanically it is excellent! The stock is solid and the wood to metal fit is very good with no proud metal. The pull is about 14 1/2″ over a black recoil pad. The steel barrels were made by Adams and Tate and have a dolls head extension. It has a lever forend with a metal grip cap and vacant metal shield let into the stock. Jack Lott shot the rifle with 10 to 12 drams of black powder and either a 1000 grain round ball or a 1250 grain conical. He commented on how well it shot with the 12 dram load. The file cut rib has one fixed rear sight. It comes with a modern round ball mold, brass cases and wads. Here is a solid 8 Bore in the rare 22″ barrel length with steel barrels with an interesting provenance with Jack Lott, featured in the Guns and Ammo publication “Big Bore Rifles” authored by Jack Lott. Price: $28,500.00

Merkel — 303-EHand-Detachable Sidelock Ejector — 12 Gauge, 2 3/4″ Chambers: 30″ O/U matted vent-rib barrels of Bohler Special steel with ivory bead choked extra full & extra full. 14 7/8″pull from articulated front trigger to thin black recoil pad. 1 1/2″ – 1 7/8″drop. 3/8″ cast-off. Highly figured walnut stock with slender three-piece Deeley-release forend, the captive sections of which each retained by four engraved horn-bushed screws, black capped pistol grip and with chinstrap and classic point-pattern checkering. Concealed-release, hand-detachable sidelock with intercepting sears, cocking indicators, double underbites and double Kersten locks, automatic ejectors and manual top tang safety, finished in French grey and finely game scene engraved with scenes of a hawk taking a pheasant to the left and a fox flushing grouse amongst the cornstalks on the right, all surrounded with scroll. Weight: 8lbs, 1oz. Built 1956, before the best craftsmen escaped the workers’ paradise. 99% blue. Tight, and with excellent bore. Price: $13,450

Johann Springer, Vienna — Boxlock Ejector Double Rifle — 9.3x74R : 25 1/2″ SxS dovetailed barrels of Krupp steel with full solid flat matted rib, 1 standing and 1 folding leaf sights engraved for 100 and 200 meters. Figured walnut stock with lever-release splinter forend, scalloped horn capped pistol grip, sidepanels, beaded pancake cheekpiece, sling swivels, classic point-pattern checkering and checkered steel trapdoor buttplate with compartments for three cartridges. Fine scroll engraved, scalloped, bolstered, casehardened action with Greener crossbolt passing through doll’s head extension, sideclips, double single-set triggers and automatic top-tang safety. Pull: 14 3/8″. Weight: 8lbs, 1oz. Built 1922. 99% barrel blue, fading dark case colors, tight action and excellent bores. Price: $6975.

L C Smith Hunter Arms No.2E 20 Gauge Double Barrel Shotgun Auto-Ejectors Rare: 26″ BARRELS, FULL & MODIFIED, EXCELLENT BLUE, MIRROR BORES. AUTOMATIC EJECTORS, FEATHERWEIGHT FAME, NO CASE COLOR. TYPICAL ENGRAVING WITH A QUAIL IN A CIRCLE ON THE LEFT AND A DUCK ON THE RIGHT, ALSO SCROLLWORK AND BORDERS. PISTOL GRIP STOCK, SPLINTER FOREARM, GORGEOUS NICELY FIGURED WOOD. EXCELLENT SHARP CHECKERING, ORIGINAL CRIP CAP AND BUTTPLATE. PROFESSIONAL REPAIR AT THE WRIST. LOW DIMENSIONS 1 3/4″ X 3″ X 14″, 5 POUNDS 10 OUNCES. SCARCE LITTLE SMITH. ONLY 91 GRADE TWO 26″ 20 GAUGE GUNS WERE MADE. Price: $3800.00

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June 9, 2013 by Gregg

John Dickson Hammer Toplever Sidelock Double Rifle .500 BPE: Circa 1875, 28″ original damascus barrels engraved “John Dickson & Son” on the left barrel and “65 Princes Street Edinburgh”. 14 1/2″ LOP over a checkered butt with engraved heel and toe plates, 9 lbs. even, extractor, double triggers, pistol grip with engraved steel grip cap, file cut flat rib with one standing and one folding leaf marked 100 and 200, long post bead front sight, stalking safeties, backaction island sidelocks with fine scroll engraving and engraved “John Dickson & Son” on both sides. Excellent condition and we believe all original and likely original finishes, great bores and tight action. Comes in period leather case with maker’s label (missing handle and straps), period sling with correct connectors for the sling eyes and a labeled box of period Kynoch .500 BPE ammo. Price: $13,950.00

20g W.W. Greener FH35 double barrel shotgun, excellent original condition

W.W. Greener, FH 35, 20ga. 28” barrels choked IC/IM. Outstanding Greener FH35: Choked IC/IM. Outstanding Greener FH35. Very rare top safety with AE. Retains 99.9% original color case hardening, not refinished. Double trigger, semi-pistol grip, leather covered pad, splinter forend. Nearly perfect wood, perfect checkering, 100% blue. Very seldom encountered, light weight. An outstanding collector gun. 14” x 1 ½” x 2 ½”. 5 lbs., 6oz. Price: $12,750

BERETTA EXPRESS RIFLE 9.3X74R CALIBER: 24″ Bbbl with raised rib and fitxed sights, color case hardened action, double triggers, ejectors, 14 7/8″ LOP, 98% Overall. Price: $4,699.00

THOMAS BLAND 12- 3″ MAG- APPEARS UNFIRED- BOXLOCK EJECT- 30″ Bbls- 98% ORIG CASE COLORS- APPEARS UNFIRED: #18810, Thomas Bland & Son, West Strand, London WC2: A 12 Bore Original 3″ Magnum Boxlock Ejector Model Brent Made in 1957 with 30″ Ejector Dovetail Lump barrels with rib extension third bite at .729 .020 & .035 (Mod. & Full), Original 3″ chambers, Birmingham proof at 3 1/2 Tons per square inch and 3″, It then was proved again at 1200 BAR in 1992 and has the proper reproof marks, Double triggers, Splinter forend with an Anson release, Open pistol grip stock at 14 1/4 x 1 1/2 x 2 1/8″ over a 7/8″ pad, Cast-off for the right hand, 7 lbs. 12 oz., 35% engraving coverage, Retains 98% original case colors, 99% original barrel blue, The wood is 99% original, The checkering remaining at 100%, The bores are new.
Price: $2,850.00

L C SMITH, HUNTER ARMS, IDEAL GRADE, 20 GAUGE, 28" BARRELS — L C SMITH, HUNTER ARMS, IDEAL GRADE, 20 GAUGE, 28″ BARRELS

L C Smith Ideal Grade 20 Gauge Automatic Ejectors: 28″ BARRELS, F&M, EXCELLENT BLUE, MIRROR BORES. AUTOMATIC EJECTORS, MARKED 2 3/4″. FEATHERWEIGHT FRAME, TRACES OF CASE COLOR. PISTOL GRIP STOCK, SPLINTER FOREARM, NICELY FIGURED WOOD, EXCELLENT CHECKERING. GRIP CAP CHIPPED, ORIGINAL HAWKIN RECOIL PAD. HIGH DIMENSIONS – 1 1/2″ X 2 1/2″ X 13 3/4″, 5 POUNDS 14 OUNCES. Price: $1,850.00

Wow – a great looking W.W. Greener G-60 side-by-side shotgun…

February 27, 2013 by Gregg

W.W. Greener Self-Acting Ejector G60 Royal side-by-side double barrel shotgun

I have lots of dream doubles, One of them is an original W.W. Greener G-gun. When I saw the one shown here on Griffin & Howe’s website, my heart jumped.

Greener’s Self-Acting Ejector shotguns were some of the finest side-by-sides to ever come out of the UK. This 12 gauge G-60 Royal grade was made in 1907. It has 30″ barrels with original 3″ chambers and heavy proofs. The G60 was a best-quality gun, and it was made by W.W. Greener’s finest gunmakers. In it’s day, this one cost around £63. That was a ton of money, and whoever bought this gun could have paid around the same for a Purdey or Holland & Holland Royal.

Wow – a great W.W. Greener double rifle…

February 5, 2013February 5, 2013 by Gregg

W.W. Greener Side-by-Side Double Rifle, .400/.360

Over the last 184 years, the firm of W.W. Greener has made thousands of guns. Most of the ones we say today are shotguns like this and Martini rifles like this. What we don’t see a lot of are W.W. Greener double rifles, especially ones as nice and crisp as this .400/.360.

This Greener looks pretty much new – quite a feat considering it’s about 100 years old. Here’s the seller’s complete description of it:

Bought from the widow of the Michigan man who had it built. From my my personal collection. This gun is bloody SPECTACULAR!! All orininal, NOT REFINISHED, I guarantee it! Barrels are marked “AMM N 400/360 Case 2-3/4” and “Cordite 40 grs. bullet 300″, and ” W.W. Greener 68 Haymarket London”, SN 57xxx, Facile Princips Boxlock non-ejector action. 3-leaf rear sight, silver bead front, engine burnished buttplate surface, engraved Michigan game in the form of a Moose on one side of receiver, and a Mountain Lion (looks like leopard to me) on the other. 99+% ORIGINAL blue, 99+& ORIGINAL case, 100% ORIGINAL wood, 100% perfect mechanicals. 100% bores, All in it’s ORIGINAL oak & leather fitted case, with cleaning kit, cleaning rod, nickeled snap caps and an original box of Eley ammo. Absolutely none finer anywhere!!

What’s it worth — a nice 12g W.W. Greener…

November 22, 2012 by Gregg

12 gauge W.W. Greener side-by-side shotgun

“What’s it worth?” That’s the question I get all the time. It’s also the question I’m always asking myself. To come up with an answer, I pull together an estimate based on historical prices and what I’m seeing in the market. But this is just a guess.

If you really want to know what your shotgun is worth, put it up for auction. When the hammer falls, you’ll know exactly how much someone is willing to pay for it. When I saw this W.W. Greener, I asked myself “What’s it worth?” I’m guessing $2000-$2,500. The auction ends soon, so check back tomorrow to see if I was right.

From the info provided and the pics, this is what I can tell about it:

It’s a lower-grade model with ejectors, nice 30″ damascus bbls, and very clean looking wood. The outside of the barrels has a bit of corrosion, but nothing bad. The insides look good. Judging by the proofmarks and serial number, I would say it was made around around 1900. From what I can see, I would say that it’s all original (except for the pad, of course). Pachmyr’s While Line Recoil Pad came out around 1950 and the butt stock may have been lightly refinished at that time. The checkering looks original.

Guess this Greener’s secret…

November 8, 2012November 8, 2012 by Gregg

W.W. Greener made a lot of beautiful side-by-side shotguns, including this little 16 gauge. But this double has a secret. Take a look and see if you can spot it.

W.W. Greener Double Barrel, Side-by-Side 16 gauge shotgun

The secret: sleeved barrels. See the seam in the pic above? That’s what give the sleeving job away. Sleeving isn’t a bad thing. Done right, it can revive an old double and give it another century of life. From the looks of things, I’m sure that’s the case with this Greener.

Auction Alert: W.W. Greener, Holland & Holland double rifles…

May 25, 2012 by Gregg

Good guns are where you find, and you never know where a nice side-by-side will pop up. Just check out these double rifles coming up at this little auction in Kuna, ID.

BTW: You can get great deals at little auctions like this. You can also get very burned. Be sure you have these guns checked out thoroughly before bidding.

–W.W. Greener .450/400 – W.W. Greener DRs are hard to find and from what I can see this one looks very original. With a litt’e cleaning up and care, it could be a great gun.

–Holland & Holland – this DR has problems, and it looks like a P-R-O-J-E-C-T. But it does look original and it is an H&H.

Top guns: Fine doubles on the market right now…

April 13, 2012 by Gregg

If you’ve have cash to spend, now’s a great time to be looking for a double barrel shotgun. There are more fine side-by-sides and over-unders on the market right now than ever before.

W.W. Greener 28 gauge sidelock double barrel shotgun

Of these, this W.W. Greener 28 gauge, best quality side by side is on of the very best.

Even though W.W. Greener built their reputation on boxlocks, they’ve always made top-quality sidelocks. This 28 gauge represents the new generation of those best-quality Greener shotguns.

It was made in the last 15 years by the gunmaking team of David Dryhurst and Richard Tandy. It’s right up there with the finest double barrels the company has ever produced. Right now, W.W. Greener has closed the books on new orders. So if you want one of these new sidelock, you’ll have to pick one up on the used market. To date, I’ve only seen two on the market: this 28 gauge and a 16 gauge with a Prince of Wales grip.

Merry Christmas to all…

December 25, 2011December 21, 2011 by Gregg

Merry Christmas and happy holidays to everyone out there. I hope you’re having a good time and the cheer is spreading. I wish great health and even better luck in 2012.

Here at Dogs & Doubles were getting ready to do some upland hunting. I should be in central Maine for the next few days, wrapping up my grouse season. If the snow stays away, we should have a good time.

BTW: here’s a few things that were on my gift lis. Once again, the fat man in red didn’t come through. Probably out of his budget.

1. This pair of W.W. Greener sidelock shotguns from Sportarm.com:

A pair W.W. Greener 12 gauge Double Barrel Shotguns

You can see more pics of this guns here, here, and here.

2. This place in Montana where I could take full advantage of them.

3. And six of these guys. Those puppies are from Autumn Memory Kennels. My girl is from there, and they turn out great English Pointers.

English Pointer puppies from Autumn Memory Kennels

A nice Greener hammer gun…

November 20, 2011November 20, 2011 by Gregg

In the last 182 years, W.W. Greener has made thousands of double barrel shotguns. May of these shotguns have made there way into the US. The ones you usually are boxlocks like this FH 70, this 12 gauge Empire. Sidelocks like this are less common, but you do see them (that one was converted to a straight grip, btw).

W. W. Greener Hammer Double Barrel Shotgun

The Greeners you rarely see are higher-grade, side-by-side hammerguns. Greener made lots of them, but they rarely show up – in the States or in the UK.

So when I saw this one at Rock Island Auction I was excited. Take a look at it and you’ll see why. It’s an upper-grade gun with lots of original color. Too bad the barrels have been through a bris and the butt stock looks a little refinished. If the gun was all original I would be trying to add it to my safe.

It’s what you can’t see that counts…

September 23, 2011 by Gregg

A W.W. Greener with a straight grip and a top safety is one of the double-barrel shotguns on my current want list. Nice Greeners are pretty easy to find. Greener made tons of guns, and many of them were imported into the US. Right now, there are at least a half dozen nice ones on the market, including these this one and this one.

W. W. GREENER A 12-BORE 'GRADE FH50' FACILE PRINCEPS EJECTOR

But almost all of Greener’s guns have side safeties. I HATE side safeties. They’re ugly and difficult to use, and I think they were more gimmick than innovation. Fortunately, down through the years many people have agreed with me. They ordered Greeners with top safeties and a few of these double-barrel shotguns hit the market each year.

This one at Holt’s 10/22 auction looked like a real nice example and possible addition. Here’s the it’s full description from the auctioneer:

W. W. GREENER: A 12-BORE ‘GRADE FH50’ FACILE PRINCEPS EJECTOR. 28in. nitro barrels, rib engraved ‘W. W. GREENER. MAKER. 40 PALL MALL. LONDON. S.W. WORKS. ST. MARY’S SQUARE. BIRMINGHAM’, 2 1/2in. chambers, bored approx. 1/4 and 3/4 choke, treble-grip action with slim side bolsters, top tang automatic safety with gold-inlaid ‘SAFE’ detail, fine acanthus scroll engraving, retaining some original colour-hardening and finish, 14 3/4in. well-figured stock including 1 1/8in. rubber recoil pad, weight 6lb. 7oz., in its lightweight green velvet-lined leather case with gold-tooled label and with large Greener oil bottle. Estimate £2,500-3,500

So far, so good. From what I could see, the gun looked nice: Twenty-eight inch barrels, nice long stock, decent weight, nitro proofed and in proof, in its original case. As I read all this, I was pretty sure my want list was going to get shorter. But buying out of the UK is a pain in the ass, especially at an auction, and I wanted to 175% sure that this Greener was worth the extra $$ and effort it would take to get it.

So I sent off these questions to the auctioneer:

-How original is this gun?
-What are the bore measurements?
-Are the barrels their original length?
-What are the barrel wall measurements?
-Are there any dents, ding, or bulges in the barrels?
-Is there any pitting in the barrels?
-Any rivelling in the bbls or other problems?
-Are there any repairs to the barrels?
-Are the barrels tight and on the face?
-Have the bbls been reblacked?
-Has anything on the gun been refinished, reblacked, recolored or reblued?
-Are there any cracks, splits, or repairs in the wood?
-Do all the serial #s match – action, triggerguard, forend, bbls?
-Does everything work properly – triggers, ejectors, top lever, safety, forend release, hammers, cocking, etc?
-Does it have a long triggerguard (like a straight-gripped gun should)?

I know it’s a lot, but I’ve learned to ask too many questions. This helps prevent surprises and expensive mistakes. Here are the answers I received back (I bolded the problem areas):

-The gun all appears to be original, possible later recoil pad

-The bore measurements are .735+ .735+ 23 21+

-The barrels appear to be the original length

-Some minor scratches to the bores, slight signs of minor rivelling

-No pits

-The gun does not appear to have been refinished

-No visible cracks to the woodwork

-All matching serial numbers

-All mechanisms appear to function correctly with the use of snap-caps

-The triggerguard is long, as it should be.

It’s interesting to see what the auctioneer did and didn’t say. I’m not sure what to make of discrepancies like his failure to mention if there are any dents, dings, or bulges in the barrels, or to tell me if the gun is tight and on the face.

I do know that this dream gun turns out to have mediocre barrels. Judging by so-so walls. enlarged bores and rivelling, I would say someone honed the tubes a bit. That’s sucks, and it makes the gun a pass for me.

The hunt for the perfect Greener continues.