With tapering blued round barrel with full-length raised matted sighting rib signed “W.W. GREENER. 68. HAYMARKET. LONDON” and with bead front sight and rear express sight graduated to 1500 yards. Action signed “W.W. GREENER” on each side and with border engraving to the sides surrounding finely cut checkered panels, the signatures engraved onto small ribbons within the checkered panels. Blued trigger guard and lever with horn finger rest extension. Figured 14 inch walnut pistol grip stock with checkered panels to the grip and forearm, the latter with horn tip. The left side of the butt with large oval silver presentation plaque engraved “PRESENTED TO/P.B.S. WREY/BY THE DIRECTORS OF THE NELLY/& PIONEER REEFS GOLD MINING/COMP.Y LTD. IN COMMEMORATION/OF THE NIGHT OF THE/24TH MARCH 1896”. The presentation refers to the beginning of the 1896 Matabeleland Rebellion which witnessed an uprising against settlers and miners by the Matabele. It is documented that the Nelly & Pioneer Reefs mine at Insiza had been attacked on 23rd March with further attacks taking place across Matabeleland until at least the 30th March. We can only presume Mr. Wrey successfully defended company property from attack by Matabele warriors on the night of the 24th March and survived to tell the tale.

Very good. The barrel and trigger guard each have strong traces of original blued finish, but generally there is a covering of light surface corrosion. The quality of the rifle is evident from the fine detailing of the rib matting and the checkering on the sides of the action. The fine stock has well-defined checkering with scattered age related storage and handling blemishes and marks and a grain crack on the left side of the comb. The hinged trap cover on the matted heel plate has been broken off. Mechanically fine.