Greener " The Dominion" from about 1900 - likely parting out - best options for me ?

LeakyCanoe

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Greener " The Dominion" from about 1900 - likely parting out - best options for me ?

I'd like to tap into the brain-trust here. I have some old guns from father's estate that I will be needing to find new homes for over the next while and that project has brought me here and to this site as I try to educate myself on them. In the interim I have an inquiry of my own on a partial sporting gun that all this has prompted, and I might as well tackle it now ahead of dealing with the other firearms down the road.

I have a WW Greener "The Dominion" model 12 gauge side by side without a stock that I took in as part of a trade years ago. Research indicates that this gun was made between 1895 and 1902 and the serial number of this one places it around 1900. I was initially hoping I would either get more into gun restoration back in the day (I do some metalworking as a hobby) but that's not happening and this is now in the way and my hobby time is taking me farther away in other directions. It's time I dealt with it if I can before it gets separated even more.

I have the full barrel assembly, forestock, and most of the mechanical hammer assemblies stored safely as you can see from the pictures. I am clearly missing the trigger assemblies, trigger guards, and the rest of the buttstock. This is how it came to me and I never got the full back story on it. Accordingly I took it in on a bit of a leap of faith, but knowing it came from a fine English sporting manufacturer that is still in business today told me that it was worth the risk at the time and at the very least I could have a wall-hanger made up if I needed to.

If you are knowledgable in matters such as this please look at the photos and weigh-in with your take as to my options. Would I be best advised here to part what I have out individually (in a sum of the parts approach) or will what I have here be enough that it is likely to attract someone who might be able to carry this project across the goal line and spike the ball in the end zone, like I was once hoping to do ?

Also, I've read the market is very small here in Canada for old sporting guns like this and that the U.S. is likely a better proposition for me finding a good fit. Although I live in SW Ontario I have a recreation property in upstate New York that I go to all the time. If I can get this across the border without much of a hassle I'm assuming there will be much more of a market at my disposal, for whichever direction I look at ultimately in moving this on. What would the US border situation be if I declared it as I was bringing it across ? Is that even a feasible proposition, assuming I am correct with my hunch that the U.S. market is what I need to tap into ? Any special paperwork or advance registrations needed ?

















 
My apologies...I had thought I could upload pics with my first thread but it seems I do not qualify for that.

Let's try to tackle the query then without them. If anyone would like to see the pics I have please send me a PM with your email and I can paste them in a response back to you.
 
Canada or USA, you won't find a good professional stockmaker who will make you a proper new stock, including the cost of the blank, checkered and finished at a price that would make sense. The Dominion is a basic model, not really collectible and yours is missing some vital parts and even if complete and in really nice original condition with most original finishes in excellent condition, perfect bores and nice tight lockup it would be worh less than the cost of restocking and repairing this one. Bear in mind, there are no parts for this gun, anything missing , worn or broken will need to be individually hand made by a very skilled tradesman who expects to make as comfortable a living as a plumber, cabinetmaker or electrician. Write it off, the parts aren't interchangeable with another similar gun without a lot of expensive hand fitting and this one is not a cost effective restoration project.
 
Completely agree with Ashcroft. As well, getting a gun (yours qualifies) across the border in a relatively hassle free way carries a risk that is all out of proportion to the value you might gain by parting it out in the US instead of Canada. IMHO.
 
The cost of a commercial restoration would be substantial.
Sounds like something a serious hobbyist might be interested it.
Importing a modern firearm into the US is do-able of course, but can't be considered hassle free. You can get the paperwork to temporarily bring a gun into the US - but that does not apply to permanent importation for purpose of resale.
Put it into the EE here - it will sell for a reasonable price. But either become a team member for ease of photo posting, or join one of the photo hosting services.
 
I agree with everything posted above. This is a good project for people trying to improve their skills at restoration. Pay $35/YR, this allows EE and photo posting, plus it helps support the CGN Forum expenses. Welcome to the CGN community and you are correct, there is a lot of knowledge on here. I would take it on but have three projects lined up and another pending so my winter is spoken for. Someone will be interested. Good luck.
 
Before you think about refurbishing your Greener, have someone who is knowledgeable about barrels confirm that the barrels are good. Like the guys above have said, your Greener would cost a few bucks - if the barrels are good.

Alan
 
Thanks everyone...some really good points were brought forward for consideration. I'm reasonably sure the barrels are good and still in proof. The markings on the flats show it to be 13/1 which I am told likely means it was designed to be a long range gun. The parts I have are in good shape and I am confident that this is a good project for the right person. It is too bad the forward portion of the gun got separated from the butt stock portion.

I will try to get the photos I have loaded up online at the proper location so as to find the person who can do this firearm justice in the end.
 
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13/1 (.719") is the common bore size on older British shotguns, it has nothing to do with maximum range, tightness of the choke (which does affect range of course) or intended use. This bore size was intended to give a better gas seal between the wad and the inside barrel wall with the ammunition of the day. Nowadays it causes considerable confusion because most people don't know what that strange number means and if someone tells them the bore size is .735" they believe it's well in proof, after all, it's a 12 gauge isn't it? If the barrels are not pitted and if they measure no more than .729" at 9" from the breech end and the ribs are tight and they not dented or bulged then they are in proof and the gun may be worth some effort by someone who doesn't value their time too much. If they're over proof size but undamaged they may still be usable with correct ammo it the minimum barrel wall thickness is adequate. Attention must be paid here to chamber length ( original and current) and nitro proofing for modern smokeless powder. The only way to determine these measurements is to have an experienced person measure the barrels with a bore gauge and a wall thickness gauge. J.
 
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