Manufactured in circa 1884 and featuring an elaborate engraving of a hunting scene on the right side of the action depicting a hunter shooting birds with a bridge in the background, and an angler fishing with waterfowl in the foreground and a bridge in the background, the underside of the action with vignettes of birds including two peacocks and the whole framed with tight scrollwork. With browned barrels each engraved with sprays of foliage at the breech end, and with concave rib and bead sight, signed “W.W. GREENER. 68 HAYMARKET LONDON” in gold script, and engraved “PATENT WEDGE FAST No. 3084” at the rib extension with self acting ejectors. Action with serpentine fences, Greener patent cross bolt, blued toplever, “Jumping Jack” hold-open pin and signed “W.W. GREENER” on each side. Blued Greener patent side mounted safety catch with gold inlaid “SAFE”, and blued trigger guard. The underside of the barrels and water table each with Birmingham “Not For Ball” black powder proof marks and nitro reproof marks, the water table struck with a Greener “Elephant” trademark, “W.W. GREENER PATENT No. 930” (Greener’s 1880 patent for the Facile Princeps action) and “J.N. PATENT 614”. Well figured 14 1/4 inch straight hand stock with carved drop points, checkered grip and forearm within shaped panels, the latter with Deeley & Edge fastener and dark horn tip, and checkered dark horn butt plate. The underside of the butt with gold oval initial escutcheon engraved with a monogram. Proved at 17.3mm/17.5mm, measuring 17.5mm/17.5mm, 2 1/2 inch (65mm) chambers, minimum wall thickness 0.019/0.028. Weight 6 lbs. Provenance: The Malcolm King Collection

The engraving to the action remains crisp and delightfully detailed. The barrels retain nearly all of their dark rebrowned finish, engravings softened on the rib and worn on the barrels, gold signature in very good condition. The action is a light grey patina, the trigger guard, safety and toplever have been reblued. The stock has been re-oiled with well defined checkering. Mechanically excellent.