I recently took possession of a WW Greener Imperial 12 bore shotgun, serial number 51722. In correspondence with Graham Greener it is determined this gun was started 5/6/1903, and finished for delivery on 10/27/1903. A Hammerless 12 bore with 30 inch Whitworth steel barrels, a non-ejector with standard straight hand stock: 2-1/2 by 14 inches, other dimensions not recorded. Type of action is a Facile Princeps. Engravers were Stokes, Horricks, and Hipkiss.

A client made me a deal I couldn't pass up, maybe he knew an Imperial is a bucketlist shotgun for me and in most circumstances one I'd currently not be in the position to afford. He took possession of it from his late brother-in-law, whom in a business/collateral trade took hold of it.

For those familiar with Graham Greeners book, you might notice the serial number proximity to 51712 and 51713, two Imperial models made for the 1904 St Louis World Fair, opened by president Theodore Roosevelt. Those two guns are considered to be two of the finest guns WW Greener produced, aside from the modern offerings from Graham. Mine wuld have been started around the same time as those two, albeit finished much sooner due to the other guns having more time consuming medium relief engraving. I cant place my gun at the 1904 Fair, but the gun did spend a long time in Memphis, TN prior to coming to me. Nevertheless...

Unfortunately the gun suffered a devastating fall at some point which broke the original stock at the wrist. At the same time the trigger guard tang snapped, and the rear trigger broke. Instead of welding the trigger guard tang back together, someone just cut it short. The rear trigger...they welded it. The new stock is of an American walnut, and not up to the standard of a Greener Imperial. The barrels are no longer 30", having lost 2" along the way as well as any choke. While there is no pitting in the bores and they are of correct bore dia, the minimum wall thicknesses are .018" and .019". The muzzles are out of round, there are many dents and a very slight bulge which wasnt repaired well. On the outside of the barrels in the dented areas are file marks. The barrels are off-face.

This gun needs a game plan, and a person to set it right. I know a guy.

I plan to make and fit a new trigger guard and have it engraved to match the original. Ill restock it with a piece of Turkish walnut to my dimensions. I'll have to see if the rear trigger can be cleaned up to appear as-new, or make a new one. The barrels will be put back on face. I am on the fence about sleeving the barrels back to 30", or repair the originals. My qualms with the originals are the thin wall which will only get thinner with repairs and polishing to a high level, no choke, and unoriginal 28" length. ugh...Witworth steel and the stampings...

This project will be a personal one, clients projects come first so this one will be a long term project for me.

Pictures:










One might notice the imperfection at the tip of the trigger plate, a good candidate for laser welding and dressing.




Original forend wood:




horribly repaired trigger guard and rear trigger:

Barrel proof marks and stampings:

Awesome, looking forward to more reports

Mike

If you look in the upper left cormer of the left barrel breach face you'll notice a small pin/screw. This is to hold a cap in the crossbolt hole, as the crossbolt does not protrude when the lever is opened.

This gun also have gold plated internals and greeners patent intercepting sears. They are engaged by a leg on the front of the trigger blade which due to being in front of the trigger hinge act to draw the int. sear down to clear the tumblers.




lastly, a quick look at the right tumbler shows metal discoloration and a braze/silver solder repair of the dogtooth area.




So as discussed and photographed this gun has a few serious repairs and many smaller ones that will need addressed to bring it back to condition.

Aaron a greener is my weakness! Thank you so much for sharing it! Keith Sirmans

You and I both. This will be my third WWG; the first one and my first ever SxS a 1895 Facile Princeps 12bore w/self acting ejectors and 30” Damascus barrels, an Empire 12 bore ejector gun with top safety, and now this 1903 Imperial.

I’m need some sub gauge WWG guns, and some W. Greener muzzloaders in my collection as well. One at a time.

That gun couldn't be in better hands. It will really be something when done. I love Greeners too.

What indignities that fine gun has endured. It deserves a careful restoration--good luck!

I have a new set of long and heavy, unfit Greener 12 bore barrels if you find you must go that route.

Indignity indeed. You wonder how or why these things happen to such a beautiful gun.

Aaron do you feel comfortable working on this type of action have one that needs attention. Pipeliner

You also might consider contacting CJO from this site. I know he has been recommended by David Dryhurst of Greener for work on FP guns. Here is an article in Shooting Sportsman about a gun CJO worked on last year.

https://shootingsportsman.com/greener-restoration-1/