Was wiping down my (genuine) W.W.Greener 10 ga percussion double recently and after the serial number stamped into the underside of each barrel was the image of an elephant. Can anyone tell me what is the significance of the elephant stamp? Thanks.
The meaning of Elephants ?
- Thread starter Ol' Flinter
- Start date
Hello Grant:
My shotgun is stamped on the top rib with the Birmingham address and I should do some research to see whether that, along with the serial number, would help determine the date of manufacture. My late uncle found this in a friend's closet and bought it for $1.00 in 1932 in Port Hope Ontario! I inherited it when he died in 1988 and have used it to shoot skeet and a few game-farm pheasants. Regrettably there is no case nor any accessories but it is in remarkably good condition: both locks function as new.
Thanks very much,
Doug
My shotgun is stamped on the top rib with the Birmingham address and I should do some research to see whether that, along with the serial number, would help determine the date of manufacture. My late uncle found this in a friend's closet and bought it for $1.00 in 1932 in Port Hope Ontario! I inherited it when he died in 1988 and have used it to shoot skeet and a few game-farm pheasants. Regrettably there is no case nor any accessories but it is in remarkably good condition: both locks function as new.
Thanks very much,
Doug
Doug:
I'd suggest you ask on British Militaria Forums, probably on this specific forum - Sporting Rifles and Other Old Guns
There is a good chance someone there will know if there is a way to track down the provenance of your piece ....
Got any photos of your shotgun for us to drool over?
I'd suggest you ask on British Militaria Forums, probably on this specific forum - Sporting Rifles and Other Old Guns
There is a good chance someone there will know if there is a way to track down the provenance of your piece ....
Got any photos of your shotgun for us to drool over?
What range is your serial number in? I have "The Greener Story" and the dates are in the back of the book. Also while the elephant trademark is sometimes thought to result from the killing of a circus elephant gone made during the "must" I believe Graham Greener says that it predates that elephant by a number of years
cheers mooncoon
cheers mooncoon
On the top rib is marked "W.W. Greener St. Mary's Works Birmingham" The serial number 98XX is stamped on the underside of both barrels and on the rear tang of the trigger guard. It would seem to be more of an upland hunting gun rather than a waterfowl gun as the barrels are 29" and quite light as opposed to a long and heavy barrelled waterfowl gun. There isn't anything indicating "Not for Ball" but I certainly doubt it was ever intended to shoot anything but shot loads. I would be happy to post some photos once I figure out the system to get them here from my computer.
I never ceased to be amazed at the depth and diversity of knowledge within our CGN community - thanks everyone!
Under the category of hand made guns, serial numbers 9001 to 10000 were made in 1872. The first double shotguns with the treble wedge fast locking were started in 1873. The triple wedge fast has two undergrips and a cross bolt through an extension of the upper rib that recesses into the receiver. I did not notice any date in the back of the book, but choke boring started around 1875 which means that your gun might or might not be choked and could possibly even be choked at a later day although if so, I would expect something stamped on the barrels to indicate so
cheers mooncoon
