doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Greener 16 bore

Gentlemens:

Now look what you did. After looking at the pictures of the Greener recently posted I did a bit of poking around and found this gun:

16 Greener

It is just about exactly what I was thinking I wanted. 28", Sk & Lt.Mod. Nitro proofed Damascus barrels. What do y'all think of it? I am not necessarily going to rush out and buy it, but I would be interested in your learned opinions. One fault I believe I see is that the metal seems a bit proud of the wood. It is also safe to say that the recoil pad is not exactly its best feature.

Thanks for your help.

Glenn

That's a very nice gun. Pretty much fully-priced but very nice all the same. The case is a wonderful extra. The forend iron and latch should be case colored, and the safety should be nitre blued. They all look rust blued to me. But that's not the end of the world. Assuming the bbls are OK, no regrets on this one.

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Is that a standard on Greeners? The rest of the forend iron is blacked, and I've seen quite a few Brit guns with the same. S.O.P., is my understanding, when refinishing barrels, along with trigger guard, floor plate, and top lever. Speaking strictly of the English, not so on most American classics.
Jim

The stock has been repaired in the wrist. Look for the diamond shaped insert. The pad looks like a leather covered rubber pad to me.

I have several Greeners,not an expert, But--
The gun has been refurbished in appears in England and appears to be an F40 Model, probably 1885-1895. With the chokes mentionedthe bbls were probably honed out before the Nitro Proof to have it acceptable for Proofing.I think it is slightly overpriced but Cabelas is typically negotiable as they always price things at the top of the market.

Glenn, Nice Greener, I have a mate to that, same configuration, mine is grade FH 35, 16ga., These are great shooting guns, weight is 6 lbs. I think you would be pleased with it. The only challenge I have is that it has no automatic safety and the side safety has a learning curve attached to it. Good luck with your decision with it. Keep us posted on your decision. Randy

According to the folks at Cabelas the wrist has not been pinned and the diamond insert at the wrist was a cosmetic feature found on some Greeners. I am no Greener expert so I am curious as to opinions on this.

Thanks

I have it from Graham Greener that all Greeners were originally sold with case colored forends, forend latch, and even safety escutcheon. He said bottom plates were done both ways. But I have my doubts about the safeties as I have seen too many original-looking guns with bright nitre blue or even purplish fire blue safeties (usually the finish is still there on the flat plate behind the lever).

Regarding pinning, I doubt the diamond is a pin. Although it's not common, it would be difficult to get the position just right. And Greeners, for whatever reason, don't seem to be as subject to wrist cracking as a lot of other makes (especially PARKERS where a sound wrist is an exception). Maybe that much-maligned side safety helps? (Although from recall there is no tension on the assembly, the pin just rotates freely in the boss on the off side.)

Gentlemens:

Thank you for your comments. Ya' know, you did not do much to talk me out of it. I think that in newspeak you would be called "enablers".

I think I might have to sell some things to pursue this. Anybody need a Beretta 682 Sporting or a 626 20 gauge?

Actually, all I know about Greeners came from W.W. Greener's "The Gun and its Development", a thoroughly objective review of the relative merits of the different English and Continental makes. . Can you recommend any other books or sources for information on the different models of the Greener guns?

Thank you all again for your help.

Glenn

Glenn, two comments,the diamond inlay in place of a drop point,was actually quite common on higher grade Greeners both hammer and hammerless,and, although not common,a few Greener side-safeties were automatic.You should check the minimum barrel wall thickness as well if cosidering purchase.
Terry