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Finely Engraved 32 Bore Double Barrel W.W. Greener DH44 Grade Boxlock Shotgun
LOT 3425
Very Fine & Extremely Rare Engraved W.W. Greener 32 Bore Double Barrel “Grade DH44” Boxlock Ejector Shotgun with Case - Serial no. 68736, 32 gauge, 27 inch solid rib bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. This delightful Greener shotgun was manufactured in circa 1930 during the “Golden Age” of British gun making. The blued barrels have a raised concave matted rib signed “W.W. GREENER. MAKER. 40. PALL MALL. LONDON. S.W. WORKS. ST. MARYS SQUARE. BIRMINGHAM”, front and intermediate bead sights, and scrollwork engraved at the breech ends. The rib is import marked under the forearm. The casehardened treble grip action is signed “W.W. GREENER” on each side, and has serpentine fences, a Greener patent cross bolt, and a blued toplever. The blued Greener side safety has an inlaid “SAFE” and blued rolled edge trigger guard engraved “GRADE D.H.44”.
The whole is finely engraved with classic English scrollwork. The underside of the barrels and water table are struck with Birmingham nitro proof marks and Greener “Elephant” trademarks. The well-figured walnut semi-pistol grip stock has panels
of multipoint checkering to the grip and forearm. The latter has a Deeley and Edge fastener and dark horn tip. The butt has a grooved dark horn buttplate and blank silver oval initial escutcheon. The leather bound case has a black leather trade label with gilt lettering, takedown cleaning rod, oiler, and “32” marked leather wallet with pull through, brush, and jag. Barrel and stock measurements (R/L): bore diameters 9 inches from the breech both proved at 32 (.526 inches) and measured at .543/.532 inches; choke constriction .019/.024 inches; minimum wall thickness .015/.023 inches; 1 3/8 inch drop at comb; 2 15/16 inch drop at heel; 15 inch length of pull; cast-off; weight 4 lbs 8 oz.
CONDITION: Very fine. This small frame double shotgun is in superb original condition. The barrels retain nearly all blued finish and have a sharp rib signature and breech engraving. The finish beginning to thin with age in places. The action retains 95% of the strong casehardened finish and has some minor wear to the water table and breech face. The engraving is crisp and sharp. The stock has a very attractive figure pattern and well-defined checkering, occasional minor storage
and handling blemishes, and minor chip to bottom edge of horn buttplate. Mechanically excellent. A very rare small gauge shotgun in little used condition. The case is very good and has minor wear.
Provenance: The Malcolm King Collection.
Estimate: 32,500 - 45,000
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