Ww Greener Shotguns Serial Numbers
Hi guys I have an old WW Greener that i need some help identifying and finding out sme info about it. Sorry I dont know how to attach photos It has stampings on it as follows on barrels: 729',BNP with crown above, 12 in triangle, 2 3/4, 3 1/4, tons square inch,triangle with what looks like 12c, the barrels also have the word sleeved stamped on both. The rifle has: scroll engravery WW Greener, bnp, elephant, England stamp with crown stamps and others i cant identify, serial 33934 once again i appoligise but dont know how to upload pics but can email them.
Remington - Navy Single Shot Pistols, Model 8, 81, 24, 241, RB Pistols (Types- not serial), RB Rifles- 1870, 71, RB Rifle Models- 1866-1933, Contract Lee Rifles, Pistols and Revolvers 1857-1918 (incomplete serial number for some), Rifles 1866-1933 (ditto), Shotguns 1874-1910 Serial numbers unknown.
I just want to know if it would be safe to fire modern day ammo including buckshot, and any other relevant info like when it was made etc thankyou George. George, The address Ned gave you is the admin. Centre of what's left of the once great Greener enterprise of Birmingham. Graham Greener is a helpful and obliging chap and has the old company records; from the serial number he'll be able to tell you when the gun was made, what the quality grade was, what the original dimensions were, and how much it cost. They probability is he will also have the name of the original purchaser. He makes a small charge for blowing the dust off the old books and sharpening up the quill pen but it isn't much.
You refer to the gun as a rifle, but from the rest of your information it sounds very much like a shotgun and I'm taking it as one. The term 'sleeved' means that the original barrels have been replaced, and the other Proof markings indicate that this was done in Birmingham within the modern era, certainly post WWII. I doubt Graham will have a handle on who did the job, there were (and are) lots of people who did such things. On the face of it she should be perfectly safe to shoot with modern CIP 70 mm loads. Greeners guns were always soundly designed, very strongly made and well put together; however you must take the old girl to a competent gunsmith who can give a professional assessment. He can measure the bores against what they were at Proof, check for dinks and dents that amateurs miss, and examine all the other relevant bits on the gun. If he does give you the green light.
Have a lot of fun! Eug PS If you email some good clear pics to me at I'll paste them up for you. Sharpness of image is a must in these cases, some very significant info can be gained from some very wee markings!
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I took the shotgun to a local gunshop as we don’t have gunsmiths in Sydney and he told me that I should only fire 1 1/8 to be safe as it doesn’t have proof marks which has confused me more And took advice from the forum members and this is the email I received from graham greener and im still not sure if its safe to fire or not, one photo of the underside of barrels I saw the letter/number J4 if that means anything, hopefully someone can clear things up for me. From a description in the catalogue of 1892 – a model no. 28 – a plainly finished hammerless shotgun price - £16 – 16s – 0d (16 guineas or sixteen pound and sixteen shillings, 20 shillings to the pound). W W Greener gun no. 33934 has a Facile Princeps action, it is a 12 bore non-ejector double barrelled shotgun, originally with 28 inch Damascus barrels, stock dimensions when made were 2 by 14-3/8 inches.
It was finished on 2nd August 1893. The person ordering the gun is not recorded. Value depends on condition and whether it is ‘in proof’ and safe to use.
The barrels have been sleeved and it has been re-proved but that does not necessarily mean it is ‘in proof’. Bore measurements will need to be made by a competent gunsmith who should be able to determine whether the gun is safe to use with cartridges no longer than 2-3/4 inches (70mm). Assuming it to be ‘in proof’ and safe to use than as a sleeved non-ejector shotgun it would fetch a couple of hundred pounds at auction in UK. I attach some notes regarding condition and value which I hope will be helpful. Well what to say about the gun shop guys advice? George the marks you see on the barrel flats and the action body are the Birmingham Proof marks.