Need W. W. Greener Info

soupy51 · November 1, 2007, 09:16 PM

If there are any experts out there in very old W. W. Greener side by sides I would like to send some photos for help ID'ing mine. It has been in my family at least 100 years and is a 10GA exposed hammer side by side. Not a real fancy gun but there is some engraving. On the rib between the barrels it says "WW Greener St. Mary's Works Birmingham Macnab & Marsh Canadian Agents" I have had others guess and am now looking for someone who may want to guess but knows more than the past contributors
WWGreener 004 (Medium).jpg

WWGreener 007 (Medium).jpg

WWGreener 010 (Medium).jpg

James K · November 2, 2007, 11:49 AM

I don't think I can be of much direct help, but I used Google with key of "w w greener"; the company is still in business and most of those English companies kept meticulous records. I suggest writing them and see what information they may have. My guess (well, it's as good as anyone else's) as to age is early 1870's. The barrels, needless to say, are Damascus or the equivalent and I STRONGLY recommend the gun not be fired, period. And I do mean NOT with black powder.

Here is another site I came up with, it might help.
http://oldguns.net/q&a1_97.htm

Jim

soupy51 · November 2, 2007, 05:35 PM

Thanks Jim but that link was to my question from 10 years ago. Graham Greener did respond to a message but said the age of the gun made it difficult because records were not precise then. I just keep trying and some day someone will recognize it as a specific model. Also, I have fired this gun many times with Canuck light loads for the last 40 years and have no worries with it at all. These Greeners are well built.

Jim Watson · November 3, 2007, 06:51 PM

According to The Gun and its Development, the Treble Wedge-Fast action came out in 1873. Since yours does not have a crossbolt, perhaps it predates that year.

James K · November 3, 2007, 09:24 PM

Well, I didn't find the answer, but I found the question - how's that for research?

That was my thinking, Jim. Greener illustrates a nearly identical gun in his book. He doesn't date it, but the context would place it in about that time frame.

Sorry, Soupy51, but I don't know of any source for the info you want. If the factory can't help, I doubt anyone else can, but good luck in your search.

Jim

jrfoxx · November 4, 2007, 03:53 AM

Sorry I cant be of any help, but I have to say that a SxS 10ga, exposed hammer, thats been in the family for 100+ years just plain makes for a VERY cool gun IMHO.Very neat...

Hawg · November 4, 2007, 07:41 PM

Very nice old gun, wish I could help you with it. BTW, there's nothing wrong with shooting damascus barrels with light loads as long as they're in good shape.

J F Cooper · December 7, 2007, 09:51 AM

Soupy; If youcan post the serial number of your Greener, I may be able to date it. For security, replace the last 2 digits with Xs (As 674xx)..JFC

soupy51 · December 8, 2007, 09:46 AM

The serial number is pretty short!! 133XX. I have been in contact with Graham Greener the Great-grandson of WW and he says it is too old for records so I guess I have a real old gun with unknown history!! Thanks to all who are taking an interest in this.

J F Cooper · December 8, 2007, 11:31 AM

It appears that Graham Greener knows more about Greeners than J F Cooper.. The number 19304 is an 1878 gun and t can be assumed that yours predates that, However, records are missing from 1895 to 1898 and in the 1914 period,, But I don't think your is as late as 1895..The Greener numbering system jumps around considerably and they used blocks of numbers for different grades and types,,All things considered, I feel your gun falls in the pre 1878 category.. Wish I could be of more help, it's a fine looking old gun... JFC

November 1, 2007, 09:16 PM	#1
soupy51 Junior Member Join Date: November 1, 2007 Location: Canada Posts: 5	Need W. W. Greener Info If there are any experts out there in very old W. W. Greener side by sides I would like to send some photos for help ID'ing mine. It has been in my family at least 100 years and is a 10GA exposed hammer side by side. Not a real fancy gun but there is some engraving. On the rib between the barrels it says "WW Greener St. Mary's Works Birmingham Macnab & Marsh Canadian Agents" I have had others guess and am now looking for someone who may want to guess but knows more than the past contributors WWGreener 004 (Medium).jpg WWGreener 007 (Medium).jpg WWGreener 010 (Medium).jpg

November 4, 2007, 03:53 AM	#6
jrfoxx Senior Member Join Date: August 20, 2004 Location: Evanston,WY Posts: 898	Sorry I cant be of any help, but I have to say that a SxS 10ga, exposed hammer, thats been in the family for 100+ years just plain makes for a VERY cool gun IMHO.Very neat... __________________ Q: How can I reduce the amount of mail I receive from the NRA? A: Simply email us at [email protected] or dial 800-NRA-3888 and request to be placed on the "Do Not Promote" list.

December 7, 2007, 09:51 AM	#8
J F Cooper Senior Member Join Date: October 18, 2007 Location: Southern Ohio Posts: 125	W W Greener Soupy; If youcan post the serial number of your Greener, I may be able to date it. For security, replace the last 2 digits with Xs (As 674xx)..JFC

December 8, 2007, 11:31 AM	#10
J F Cooper Senior Member Join Date: October 18, 2007 Location: Southern Ohio Posts: 125	W W Greener It appears that Graham Greener knows more about Greeners than J F Cooper.. The number 19304 is an 1878 gun and t can be assumed that yours predates that, However, records are missing from 1895 to 1898 and in the 1914 period,, But I don't think your is as late as 1895..The Greener numbering system jumps around considerably and they used blocks of numbers for different grades and types,,All things considered, I feel your gun falls in the pre 1878 category.. Wish I could be of more help, it's a fine looking old gun... JFC

November 2, 2007, 11:49 AM	#2
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	I don't think I can be of much direct help, but I used Google with key of "w w greener"; the company is still in business and most of those English companies kept meticulous records. I suggest writing them and see what information they may have. My guess (well, it's as good as anyone else's) as to age is early 1870's. The barrels, needless to say, are Damascus or the equivalent and I STRONGLY recommend the gun not be fired, period. And I do mean NOT with black powder. Here is another site I came up with, it might help. http://oldguns.net/q&a1_97.htm Jim

November 2, 2007, 05:35 PM	#3
soupy51 Junior Member Join Date: November 1, 2007 Location: Canada Posts: 5	Thanks Jim but that link was to my question from 10 years ago. Graham Greener did respond to a message but said the age of the gun made it difficult because records were not precise then. I just keep trying and some day someone will recognize it as a specific model. Also, I have fired this gun many times with Canuck light loads for the last 40 years and have no worries with it at all. These Greeners are well built.

November 3, 2007, 06:51 PM	#4
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,543	According to The Gun and its Development, the Treble Wedge-Fast action came out in 1873. Since yours does not have a crossbolt, perhaps it predates that year.

November 3, 2007, 09:24 PM	#5
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	Well, I didn't find the answer, but I found the question - how's that for research? That was my thinking, Jim. Greener illustrates a nearly identical gun in his book. He doesn't date it, but the context would place it in about that time frame. Sorry, Soupy51, but I don't know of any source for the info you want. If the factory can't help, I doubt anyone else can, but good luck in your search. Jim

November 4, 2007, 07:41 PM	#7
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,190	Very nice old gun, wish I could help you with it. BTW, there's nothing wrong with shooting damascus barrels with light loads as long as they're in good shape.

December 8, 2007, 09:46 AM	#9
soupy51 Junior Member Join Date: November 1, 2007 Location: Canada Posts: 5	The serial number is pretty short!! 133XX. I have been in contact with Graham Greener the Great-grandson of WW and he says it is too old for records so I guess I have a real old gun with unknown history!! Thanks to all who are taking an interest in this.