Hello All,
I received this morning another response from Graham Greener. After sending him requested measurements of the current stock, and additional photos of same, I received this reply:
"...That all makes sense now. I think the stock is original and the later alterations to the heel and fitting a pad is most likely..."
-Graham Greener
I must say, I am very impressed with the kind and most professional service I received from Mr. Greener. His timely responses and help in unraveling the history of this fine shotgun, is nothing short of remarkable.
As far as Mr. Graham Greener's comments about my case label being a "forgery", I have ordered a proper "Red" W.W. Greener case label from the Company. Not surprisingly, the correct 1891 case label is still available.
I am still waiting for a response from "Josef Just - Ferlach Austria", but am starting to lose hope that they will reply. I will send another email to them, and mention the "professional customer service" I have received from W.W. Greener, in hope that it may persuade a response from them.
This is their web page.
http://www.jagdwaffen-just.at/englisch/kontakt.htm I'll update all if I hear from them.
UPDATE ... UPDATE ... UPDATE ... UPDATEWell, the search for history of my Greener ends here. I just telephoned Ferlach, Austria, and spoke with Josef Just, the very same man whose name appears on the rib of my barrels, and who did the barrel upgrade.
He indicated that the reason I received no response to my emails is, that he has been retired, although his web page still lingers on.
We spoke at length of the dying artisans of the by-gone gunsmith trade in Austria. I too am from Austria, having been born about 2 hours drive, north / northeast of Ferlach. Josef recalled many guns coming to Austria in the 60's not only because of the skilled workmanship to be had there, but also because the work could be done at very reasonable costs. The US dollar and British pound, were very strong in the 20 years following the War.
He went on to say that the only information he could provide about my gun, was the year the barrels were upgraded to Nitro; 1960. Records of specific persons or companies commissioning the upgrade, are no longer available. He said like my gun, there were very many individuals from the US and the UK, that sent vintage guns directly to him to have the barrels upgraded to Nitro, and other custom alterations made.
Of interest was a comment that he made about his trade. He said that the last 20 years in business, his work came almost exclusively from Russia. He said the Russians remained the last and only countrymen that were willing to pay the "highest prices" for "absolute perfection" and for "highest quality" workmanship. All others were mostly interested in modern plastic, like those from his country, like "Glock" and "Steyr Aug".
He also indicated there was no one to carry on his business because too few young people are willing to learn the trade, being "high-tech" minded and not willing to dedicate them selves. He said only about "one" of 20 gunsmiths develops into a "Master" - and he feared soon there will be none left at all in Austria. You could tell by his cracking voice, this troubled him.
The End.
