The firm of W.W. Greener were one of the most innovative of the 19th century British gunmakers, this particular rifle incorporating a system whereby the sculptured low profile hammers retract the firing pins as they are pulled back from the fired position allowing easy opening of the action without the need for rebounding lock mechanisms. The barrels are of Damascus steel with a bold twist pattern and are rifled with eleven shallow grooves and engraved with a band of fine running foliage at the breech ends. The raised rib is engraved with two panels of waved lines each bordered top and bottom with further bands of fine running foliage and providing a full length matted coverage. A signature panel towards the breech end is signed “W.W. GREENER, ST. MARY’S WORKS, BIRMINGHAM, LAMINATED STEEL” and sighting is provided by a blued rear sight of three folding leaves engraved en suite with the matted panels, each being inlaid with a platinum center line, and a blued blade front sight. Casehardened action and non-rebounding back action locks are each engraved with double border lines and with sprays of foliage or rosettes around the screws. The action is engraved “SIGHTED WITH 4 DRAMS OF POWDER” on the right side, and the locks are each signed “W.W. GREENER”. Well figured semi-pistol grip stock with checkered grip and forearm. Iron mounts engraved with double border lines en suite with the action and locks, the buttplate with large checkered panel, and sling eyes to the underside of the butt and barrels. The underside of the barrels and action flats struck with Birmingham black powder proof marks. Provenance: The Malcolm King Collection

Barrels retaining 90% older rebrowned finish with minor rubbing to the finish at the muzzles and mid-point of the barrels, some minor storage blemishes and scratches to the outer edges of the tubes. The signature on the rib is very slightly softened. The action retaining 40% faded original casehardened finish with the locks retaining 20% original finish mostly in the sheltered areas around the hammers. The stock has minor handling and storage marks. The stock is likely to be an expert replacement. Mechanically excellent. A fine example of a classic double barrel bore-gauge rifle.