Completed in 1876, this gun is features full silver furniture with Birmingham silver hallmarks for 1875 and is discussed and illustrated in Graham Greener, “The Greener Collections”, pp. 84-85. Silver mounting was a feature found in the flintlock era which waned during the percussion era and had all but disappeared by the dawn of cartridge loading firearms making this gun extremely unusual. The silverwork is finely engraved and is struck with the silver maker’s mark “B.V”. With browned damascus barrels each finely engraved with sprays of scrollwork at the breech end. Concave rib fitted with a bead front sight, signed “W.W. GREENER. ST. MARYS WORKS BIRMINGHAM. WINNER AT THE LONDON GUN TRIALS 1875”, and signed “PATENT 3084 TREBLE GRIP FAST” and engraved with scrollwork at the breech end and on the rib extension. Action with carved percussion fences and with Greener patent cross bolt actuated by the Jones patent underlever. The water table struck with Greener “Elephant” trademark and “W.W. GREENER’S PATENT”. Casehardened rebounding back action locks each with sculpted hammer and signed “W.W. GREENER”. Silver furniture comprising trigger guard, scalloped pistol grip cap and buttplate. Fine border, bouquet and scroll engraving throughout. The underside of the barrels and water table struck with Birmingham black proof marks and Birmingham nitro reproof marks. The barrels each also struck with a small “W.W. GREENER’S PATENT” mark. Well figured 14 3/4 inch semi-pistol grip stock with silver arrow shaped drop points and shaped checkered panels to the grip and forearm. The forearm with dark horn tip, further silver arrow shaped insert, and silver surround to the Deeley & Edge fastener, the lever of which is also marked “PATENT”. The underside of the butt has a large blank silver oval initial escutcheon. Weight 14 lbs. 6.8 oz.

Barrels have an attractive tight damascus twist pattern and retain 95% rebrowned finish with some minor fading and muzzle rub, signature clear as is the intricate breech end engraving. Barrels have been slightly shortened, probably by an inch. Action and rebounding back action locks retaining slight traces of original casehardened finish in sheltered areas, the remainder a light grey patina, engraving mostly clear with some light handling wear. The highly figured wood has been expertly refinished with well-defined checkering within the shaped panels, scattered slight handling and storage blemishes. Silver mounts in very good condition, minor age related wear to the engraving on the trigger guard tang, the engraving on the buttplate very crisp. Mechanically excellent. Overall an incredibly rare and opulent gun. Provenance: The Malcolm King Collection.