This early example of the famous Anson & Deeley box lock shotgun was made by W.W. Greener in circa 1878 and also features a unusual side mounted safety catch which differs from the standard Greener side safety. William Anson and John Deeley, respectively the foreman and managing director of Westley Richards, had patented their revolutionary action on May 11, 1875 (British Patent No. 1756), and with it spelled the end of the hammer gun era with an incredibly robust action that would become the mainstay of late 19th century and 20th century gunmaking. With browned damascus barrels with concave rib with bead front sight, signed “W.W. GREENER. 68. HAYMARKET. LONDON. WINNER AT THE LONDON GUN TRIALS. 1875 & 1877” and engraved “PATENT NO. 3081 WEDGE FAST” at the rib extension. The underside of the barrels with single lump and struck with Birmingham “Not For Ball” black powder proof marks. Action with carved serpentine fences, blued toplever, cross bolt, and signed “W.W. GREENER” within a ribbon on each side. The water table with a Greener “Elephant” trademark and “122 ANSON & DEELEY’S PATENT” (for use number 122 of this patent). W.W. Greener and Westley Richards would famously end up in a protracted court case beginning in 1881 over a dispute that Greener’s Facile Princeps action was substantially different to Anson & Deeley’s action and therefore not a patent infringement. Side mounted safety catch in the form of an exposed lever with engraved “SAFE” to the left side of the stock, differing from the usual recessed safety catch associated with Greener. Border and scroll engraved throughout. Well figured straight hand stock including 1 1/4 inch wood extension, grooved butt, blank silver oval initial escutcheon, checkered grip and forearm, the latter with Deeley & Edge fastener and dark horn tip. Barrel measurements (R/L): 2 1/2 inch chambers, barrels proved at 14 bore (.693) and 12 bore (.729), measuring .741/.741+; chokes measured at .012/.040; minimum barrel wall thickness .025/.023; weight 6 lbs. 13 oz.; length of pull 15 inches.

Barrels retaining 98% rebrowned finish, rib signature worn. Action and furniture heavily discolored with some wear to the engraving, edges of serpentine fences rubbed. Stock with attractive figure pattern, numerous age related storage and handling marks and bruises, checkering worn. Mechanically very good.