This interesting shotgun was apparently built in Germany in circa 1897 to Greener’s “Facile Princeps” design and features Greener’s patent self-acting ejector system and with Greener-made barrels. With blued barrels each engraved with fine sprays of foliate scrollwork at the breech end, and respectively signed “BARRELS ONLY MADE TO ORDER OF H. LEUE. BERLIN. BY W.W. GREENER. 68 HAYMARKET. LONDON.” and “GREENER’S WROUGHT STEEL. INDESTRUCTIBLE BY GUNPOWDER”. Raised concave matted rib with bead sight and finely engraved with scrollwork framing a vignette of a running rabbit at the breech end towards the rib extension. Scalloped-back treble grip action with serpentine fences, Greener patent cross bolt and blued toplever. Blued Greener side safety with gold inlaid “SAFE” and blued trigger guard with gold inlaid crowned monogram “BM”. The whole engraved with English style scrollwork. The underside of the barrels and water table struck with German proof marks, Birmingham nitro reproof marks and Greener “Elephant” trademarks to the barrels only. Figured 14 3/4 inch walnut straight hand stock including orange rubber recoil pad, and shaped panels of multipoint checkering to the grip and forearm, the latter with Deeley and Edge fastener and dark hardwood tip. The underside of the butt with blued sling mount, the corresponding mount is fitted beneath the barrels. Barrel measurements (R/L): reproved at 18.9mm/18.9mm (.744 inches), measuring 18.9mm/18.9mm (.744 inches), chokes .007/.002, 2 3/4 in. chambers, minimum wall thickness 0.027/0.027. Weight 8 lbs. 7 oz. Provenance: The Malcolm King Collection

This unusual heavyweight shotgun is in very good condition. The barrels retain nearly all of the reblued finish with clear signatures and engraving at the breech ends. The action is a light grey patina with perhaps hints of casehardened finish, engraving clear. The trigger guard retains nearly all of the reblued finish, gold inlaid monogram crisp. The stock has been refinished with occasional scattered storage and handling blemishes, checkering well defined. Mechanically excellent.