"Rhys95," according to "The Greener Story," authored by Graham Greener, if your fine W. W. Greener hammer-gun was indeed serial-numbered "38440" by them for purposes of attributing it to that gun-making firm, it was completed in 1890, as a reference to their proprietary ranges of serial numbers will indicate. There are two serial number ranges listed for the 1890 calendar year: (1) nos. 32741-33370, comprised of 630 guns and (2) nos. 38095-38803, the number range into which the "38440" serial number falls, contributed 709 guns to that year's total production for W. W. Greener. However, I do not think "38440" is a W. W. Greener serial number. I would believe it is instead that for James W. Rosier, Greener's Australian agent, whose legend is present on your gun's top-rib.
I deduce the "16190" stamped on the barrels' under-rib is the true proprietary serial number for W. W. Greener. It is possible that the barrels might have been made in the trade and bought-in by Greener for use with this pattern of gun, too, and thus may reflect the barrel-maker-to-the-trade's number; a common practice of the era. But because Greener's are known to have had their own capabilities at the time with respect to barrel-making, this thought can be discounted. Moreover, if we instead posit that W. W. Greener made the barrels along with all of the gun's other constituent parts, the under-rib's "16190" serial number provides us calendar year 1876 for the gun's manufacture, according to the aforementioned reference (1,500 guns were manufactured by them in 1876). That the underside of the damascus barrels subtly and secondarily evince the "W W G" (i.e. "W. W. Greener") maker's stamp somewhat proves my point as well. This would seem to mean that Rosier's name and his own serial number were intended by the parties to be preeminently on display to the prospective buyer / eventual owner and not that or the name of the actual gun-maker. Such private labeling was a common practice in the nineteenth century (and continues on to-day). A differing interpretation answering the conundrum of the two different serial number sets stamped on this gun would need to provide a more convincing explanation as to why both sets appear, and one that I am unaware of or have not contemplated.
Previously remarked by another correspondent is the cite: "1888-1902 James W. Rosier, Clarke Buildings, 63 Bourke Street West, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia" as is shown on page 164 in Graham Greener's comprehensive book, "The Greener Story," under "Appendix B Business Addresses of the Greener Gunmakers." In an immediately preceding paragraph, Mr. Greener further explains and cautions the reader that:
"W. W. Greener also had agents and addresses abroad. In some cases it has not been possible to find out exactly when these were first used, nor when they ceased to be employed. Dates have been indicated but the accuracy of these cannot be confirmed."
It is certainly possible that Rosier's initial business relationship with W. W. Greener began sometime much earlier than the inexact year of 1888. I would suggest that Rosier initially had numbers of guns made for him in the name of and with the serial numbering system for his private label by Greener's, just as he may have arranged with other gun-makers as well. Some time later, after it became advantageous for business, perhaps because of the ever increasing fame of Greener's gun-making firm (via their promotion of choke-boring and aided by a series of promotional sporting and gun books, etc.) and due to the superiority, first-quality and variety of their model line, to eventually import their guns fully inscribed and stamped with the W. W. Greener name and proprietary serial numbering system prominently displayed for all to see. Their successes then caused Rosier to become an agent for the gun-making firm. That is, Rosier may have begun the business association with private label goods manufactured by W. W. Greener and eventually moved on to become their Australian business agent when their branded guns had become more famous and thus more attractive in their own right to his retail buyers.
Therefore, in my opinion, the aforesaid 1876 manufacture date is the most logical and befitting one for your particular gun. To me, your hammer-gun has the wonderful appearance of a hammer-gun from that decade, as opposed to the slightly more refined appearance and mechanical attributes of the hammer-guns manufactured from the late 1880's through the 1890's. The use of a simple Westley Richards-type doll's-head top-rib extension that mates with a mortise atop the action body at the breech was also very widely used in the 1870's (Even my circa 1871-72 Charles Daly hammer-gun built around a Scott action employs it, though as here without a cross-bolt.). Although Greener's produced their innovative single top-bolt cross-bolt system starting in 1865, it was 1873 when they combined this with Purdey's-patented double under-bolts / lugs to create their justly famous "Triple Wedge-Fast" locking system. Because many later hammer-guns were subsequently fitted with "Triple Wedge-Fast" locking, the lack of your gun's incorporation of this improved system may additionally imply that it is not of a later vintage. Regardless, the W. W. Greener guns of whatever period and model and for whatever purpose made, employed the best materials and used the best designs of the period, and are finely fitted and finished. In their higher grades, they are the equal of 'any' gun of the period, including the so-called Golden Age of gun-making.
Having long attempted to locate and buy, here and abroad, 'antique' G 60 or 70 Crown Grade W. W. Greener guns in excellent condition (Greener's guns were 'used' and possess excellent handling qualities, whether employed afield or at the gun club) that were built on the self-acting ejector principle, facile princeps action without much success, I learned that my efforts have been mostly unsuccessful because these grades of gun by this maker are very rarely on offer, particularly in the U.S. My difficulties can perhaps be ascribed to owner perceptions of intrinsic value, as well as due to owner appreciation of the guns' many quality aspects, which taken together create no desire to sell.
These fine Greener guns, whether antique or modern, simply 'come alive' when taken afield, concerning which experience I can personally attest. The damascus barrels on your gun are good quality (If the barrel thicknesses allow, the unsightly exterior pits might be removed and the barrels re-struck.) and are interesting in terms of uniqueness and pattern. Making use of your gun's full potential and enjoying it for its intended purpose, however, is far and away more important than aesthetics. Admittedly, I am especially partial to and much prefer damascus barrels to all bland blacked-steel sets.
James W. Rosier, according to "Boothroyds' Revised Directory of British Gunmakers," was an agent for W. W. Greener in Australia. Boothroyds' listing reads: "Bourke Street West, Melbourne, agent for Greener." The "made for" top-rib inscription on your gun confirms the reported / recorded business association or arrangement.
Congratulations on finding and purchasing this fine W. W. Greener hammer-gun. Please enjoy your ownership to the fullest. With my
Regards to all,
Edwardian
