It is my understanding that W.W.Greener bought Needham's company in 1874 to obtain the ejector patent for his own use. The Needham factory remained open for 10 more years with Mr.Needham continuing to produce guns under the Needham name but in Greener's employ. In 1884 the patent was assigned to Greener and the Needham factory closed. I have an under-lever single shot 16ga produced during that time period with the J.V. Needham name on it...Geo