Greeners

[Johnny McCrae]

I'm sure many of you Gents know this already.

Recently I wrote a stage and used the term "Greener" instead of Shotgun in the write-up. One of our Shooters asked me where the term came from. I had no idea. I just remember seeing the term in books and movies.

Here is link to what I found on Wikpedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/W._W._Greener

Here is a link to Greener's website: http://www.wwgreener.com/

[Coffinmaker]

Thank You

Real good thing I have a cover on my keyboard.  Drool and Slobber all over it.   

Coffinmaker

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

The wiki article seems to support the popularity of the term "greener", at least in the minds of book and film writers!.

I have a copy of "the classic ninth edition of 1910" of THE GUN And Its Developement by W.W Greener. It is a great reference book. I took a brief look and found a reference to a famous trap competion in New York in 1891, which attests to their presence in America at that time. Greener shotguns were on the market in England in the mid 1860's, so the trap shooting reference really means that Greener's perfection of choke boring was being put to the test.

Guns of this quality would be rare, and generally found in the hands of the wealthy, mostly "back East". Ranch owners in the West would also qualify as would, possibly, some well-paid lawmen and military officers with private means.

I found NO references to Greener in The American Shotgun by David F. Butler.

Johnny, go for it!

[Major 2]

I can think of at least 3 "Duke" films where Wayne made mention of "his" Greener's

McClintock
Big Jake
and Chisolm   another could be Cahill US Marshal

[Mean Bob Mean]

I have heard people refer to side by sides as a "Greener" when in fact it was just a generic boxlock.  Also I have heard Winchesters referred to as "Henrys" by old guys who lived in the woods in Idaho, which was really odd to me, they knew the guns were Winchesters they just called them Henrys. 

[Major 2]

Greener used cross bolt barrel latch...

I believe the Replica Polish (now no longer made) Pioneer had a Greener type latch.

another fine Shotgun of the Era was the US made Parker Brothers  .... of course Colt & Remington made Field Grade SXS's.

W.W Greener was a Rolls Royce of Shotguns

[Coffinmaker]

It may well just tighten yer knickers to learn that W.W.Greener is still making Bespoke Shotguns with Damascus barrels.     

Coffinmaker

[Johnny McCrae]

I got curious what Greeners cost.
http://www.gunsinternational.com/guns-for-sale-online/shotguns/greener-w-w-shotguns.cfm?cat_id=421
This was the first thing that popped up. When I started shooting SASS matches back in 2007 I only bought a Shotgun because it was required. Now the Shotgun is one of my favorite Firearms to shoot. In 2007 my Stoeger Coach Gun cost me $280.

[Coffinmaker]

OOPS.  I got distracted.

Johnny McC,  Your Stoeger Coach cost you $280.  There isn't a single "part" in a Greener you could buy for $280.  Not one.

Coffinmaker

[Johnny McCrae]

There isn't a single "part" in a Greener you could buy for $280.  Not one

Coffinmaker, not even a little spring or screw, now that's interesting.

[Bunk Stagnerg]

I have one of the Polish doubles out side hammers and Greener lockup. A very heavy gun but locks up tight as Jack Benny's  purse.
Plain gun but easy to find in the gun rack it is too bad they are not made anymore.
Yr' Obt' Svt'
Bunk