This beautifully engraved Greener shotgun features the famous Greener patent self-acting ejector system and was manufactured in 1892 to form part of the W.W. Greener exhibition at the World’s Columbian Exposition held in Chicago the following year. The makers have kindly confirmed this gun is one of eight Royal Grade hammerless ejector shotguns made for that exhibition. This gun is also described and illustrated in The Greener Collections by Graham Greener, pp. 112-113. Its specification included 30 inch best laminated steel barrels with an engine turned rib, a half pistol hand stock measuring 14 3/8 inches and weighing in at 7 lbs. 15 oz. The left hand barrel flat is factory marked “CHICAGO EXHN. 1893”. With browned fine Damascus barrels each engraved with fine sprays of foliate scrollwork at the breech end. Raised concave matted rib signed “W.W. GREENER. HAYMARKET. LONDON. & ST. MARY’S SQUARE. BIRMINGHAM. ENGLAND. WINNER AT THE LONDON GUN TRIALS 1875, 1877, 1878 & 1879”, fitted with two white bead sights, and finely engraved with scrollwork framing a vignette of a heron at the breech end towards the rib extension. Casehardened scalloped-back treble grip action signed “W.W. GREENER” on each side, with serpentine fences, enclosed Greener patent cross bolt and blued toplever with gold inlaid crown. Blued Greener side safety with gold inlaid “SAFE” and blued trigger guard engraved with the serial number. The whole profusely engraved with tight scrollwork framing game scene vignettes including differing panels on the flanks of the action depicting dogs flushing birds, a brace of rabbits on the floorplate, and a brace of hunting dogs on the bow of the trigger guard. The underside of the barrels and water table struck with Birmingham black powder proof marks and Greener “Elephant” trademarks. Well figured 14 5/8 inch walnut semi-pistol grip stock with dark horn drop points and checkered dark horn butt plate, and shaped panels of multipoint checkering to the grip and forearm, the latter with Deeley and Edge fastener and dark horn tip. The underside of the butt with blank silver oval initial escutcheon. Barrel measurements (R/L): proved at 13/13, measuring .739/.738, chokes .043/.043, 2 1/2 in. chambers, minimum wall thickness 0.038/0.034. Weight 7 lbs. 14 oz. In maker’s brass cornered oak and exotic leather fitted case lined in red baize, the lid with black leather W.W. Greener trade label with gilt lettering. With accessories including large Greener oiler, horn snap caps and turnscrews. Provenance: The Malcolm King Collection

This Royal grade shotgun is in wonderful condition with finely executed engraving. The barrels retain 98% rebrowned finish with clear rib signature and slightly softened engraving at the breech ends. The action retains faded traces of original casehardened finish with some minor rubbing to the engraving around the hard edges of the action. The trigger guard retains 80% blued finish, minor softening to engraving. The stock is an expert recent replacement and is apparently blemish free and has sharp crisp checkering, the figure pattern is very attractive as befits such a finely engraved gun. Mechanically excellent. Case in very good condition, some aging to the lining, exterior with age related storage and handling wear.