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LOT 3399
Unique Documented Exotic Game Scene Engraved W.W. Greener 16 Bore/.450/.400 (2 3/8 Inch Black Powder Express) “Royal Grade” Double Barrel Toplever Hammer Cape Gun with Case - Serial no. 50281, 16 cal., 28 inch solid rib bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. The makers have kindly confirmed that this cape gun was completed on 6 December 1901 having been started on 4 April the same year and was ordered by a Mr. Lagomasimo. It is a “Treble Wedge Fast” model and is believed to be the only combination cape gun
built to “Royal” grade specification. The engraving alone cost £3. 8s. 0d., eighteen shillings more than the engraving on an “Imperial” grade gun. Most combination guns built by Greener were of medium grades as they were destined for hard use. The maker’s records note that the scroll engraving was executed by Stokes and the game scenes by
Perry. This possibly unique cape rifle is featured in Graham Greener, “The Greener Collections”, pp. 97-98. The blued Whitworth steel barrels are each engraved with a
band of scrollwork at the breech end. The raised file cut matted rib is signed “W.W. GREENER. 68 HAYMARKET, LONDON” in gold and fitted with a bead front sight with flip-up cover, a rear express sight of one standing leaf and five folding leaves, and a ladder sight graduated to 1400 yards, the bar of the ladder sight and the leaves each with platinum inlaid center line. The breech end is finely engraved with portrait of a lion surrounded by scrollwork spreading onto the cross bolt extension. The underside of the barrels has an import mark under the forearm. The action has carved percussion fences, rebounding sidelocks and furniture each finely engraved with tight scrollwork framing a series of vignettes involving tigers, deer, a leopard, a buffalo, and a zebra. The barrels and action are struck with Birmingham proof and reproof marks. The finely figured semi-pistol grip stock has arrow shaped horn drop points and a checkered grip and forearm. The latter has a dark horn tip, and the stock has a checkered dark horn buttplate. The right side of the stock has a hinged patch box cover finely engraved en suite with a roundel depicting a lion attacking a Cape buffalo in a naturalist habitat. The underside of the stock has a blank gold initial escutcheon. The stock and barrels are fitted with sling loops. The original brass cornered oak and leather fitted case is lined in red baize, and the lid has a gilt lettered black leather W.W. Greener trade label. Inside are some accessories, including three oilers (one of them nickeled and engraved “W.W.G”), a takedown cleaning rod, and a cleaning pouch. Barrel (shotgun) and stock measurements: chamber proofed at 70 mm (2 3/4 inches); bore 9 inches from the breech reproofed at 17.1 mm (.673 inches) and measured at .675 inches; choke constriction .034 inches; minimum wall thickness .026 inches; 14 5/16 inch length of pull; cast-off; weight 9 lbs 1 oz. CONDITION: Fine as refinished. The barrels retaining 60% plus blued finish areas worn back to a gray-brown and clear engraving. The rib has crisp file cuts and engraving, some wear and discoloration on the sights, and excellent gold signature. The locks retain traces of original casehardened finish in sheltered areas and have clear engraving throughout, some discoloration and dried oil, and would improve with thorough professional cleaning. The stock has age related storage and handling blemishes and clear checkering that is slightly flattened on the grip and well worn on the forearm. The case is very good and has some renovation work to the handle and straps. Mechanically stiff on opening otherwise excellent. Provenance: The Malcolm King Collection. Estimate: 5,000 - 8,000
LOT 3400
Exotic Panel Game Scene Engraved Edwinson Green & Son .500 (Black Powder Express) Double Barrel Rotary Underlever Big
Game Hammer Rifle with Case - Serial no. 5830, 500 Black Powder Express cal., 28 inch solid rib bbl.,
blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. This fine double big game rifle was built in circa 1895 by the
highly respected maker Edwinson Charles Green & Son based near the Cotswolds in the southwest of
England. Green was an innovative maker who patented an early hammerless shotgun, various revolver
designs, a three barrel shotgun, and an over and under shotgun which was adopted by Purdey prior to
their involvement with James Woodward. The blued barrels are each engraved with a band of stylized
foliage at the breech end. The raised flat file cut matted rib is signed “EDWINSON GREEN & SON. MAKERS.
CHELTENHAM & GLOUCESTER” and has a ramped bead front sight, blued rear sight of one standing notch
sight and one folding notch leaf sight each with platinum inlaid center line, and a doll’s head extension.
The action has carved percussion fences, Jones patent underlever, trigger plate and trigger guard. The
rebounding back action locks are signed “E.C. GREEN & SON”. The whole has border and scroll engraving.
The locks respectively have vignettes of a lion on the right and a tiger on the left. The underside of the barrels and water
table are struck with London black powder proof marks. Figured walnut pistol grip stock with a silver oval mounted with
a cairngorm on the bottom of the rounded grip, dark horn heel and toe plates, and checkered butt, grip and forearm, the latter with Deeley & Edge fastener. The underside of the butt has a blank silver round initial escutcheon and sling eye. A corresponding sling eye is fitted beneath the barrels. The brass cornered oak and leather
fitted case is lined in red baize and has a large printed Edwinson C. Green trade label inside the lid and the exterior of the lid marked for “A.W. Chitty”. Chitty’s identity is not documented, but there was an A.W. Chitty who was an officer in India and Africa in the late 19th century and early 20th century, and this double rifle would have been fitting for a gentleman stationed in those areas. 14 3/8 inch length of pull. Weight 10 lbs.
CONDITION: Very good. The barrels retain near 100% reblued finish with sharp file cutting to the rib and crisp signature and minor marks and
scratches. The action and locks retain slight traces of original faded casehardened finish and have crisp engraving. The stock has numerous age related storage and handling marks and well-defined checkering. The forearm wood is likely a working period replacement. Mechanically excellent. The case has been relined, the exterior is age stained and marked, the ends of lid are restored, and the straps are replaced. Provenance: The Malcolm King Collection.
Estimate: 4,000 - 6,000
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AS PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK THE GREENER COLLECTIONS BY GREENER