Product Details
* A SCARCE .577/.500 (NO.2 EXPRESS) 1880 PATENT FACILE PRINCEPS NON-EJECTOR DOUBLE RIFLE BY W.W. GREENER, serial no. 4264, with additional .500/450 (3 3/8in.) black powder barrels,
circa 1880, 26in. Greener trade mark black powder only barrels with wave cut sight rib with open sights, folding leaf sight and a banner engraved 'W.W. GREENER. 68 HAYMARKET LONDON. GREENER'S WROUGHT STEEL', sunken wave cut rib, ramp-mounted bead fore-sight;
additional 25in. .500 / 450 (3 3/8in.) black powder barrels with broad raised wave cut rib, banner engraved 'Wm. CASHMORE. MAKER. BIRMINGHAM', open sights and bead fore-sight;
treble-grip action with carved serpentine fences, automatic side-safety with gold-inlaid 'SAFE' detail (possible replacement screw), fine border and acanthus scroll engraving surrounding game scene vignettes of red deer, the triggerguard with a further running stag, the standing breech with a scrolling banner engraved 'H. TORGERSEN & CO.', the action flats marked with 'Greener's Patent No.930', retaining slight traces of original colour-hardening, 14 1/4in. boldy-figured semi-pistolgrip stock with sling eyes, engraved steel heel and toe plates and oval escutcheon engraved 'FERD. EGEBERG. CHRISTIANA', fore-end with Anson patent release, weight 8lb. 6oz.
Provenance: The makers have kindly confirmed that the rifle, though not physically marked with a grade is a top grade, probably around the 45 guinea mark and by the styling made prior to 1887. Records of these period are limited, but it is suggested that there were batches of serial numbers issued for certain types of rifles or shotguns, which may explain the serial number of this rifle appearing 'out of sequence' with the standard serial number range. The name 'Torgersen' appears in orders for other guns and may well have been an agent of Greener's
* Please note this item is subject to 5% VAT on the hammer price (UK Buyers only).
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Estimate £2,500-3,500
Sold as an exempt item under Section 58 (2) of the 1968 Firearms Act, to be held as a curiosity or ornament