This gun needs to be rejoined (tightening of the barrels to the action) and a repairable bulge removed from the right barrel 15" from the breech. The left firing pin needs to be replaced as it appears short. There is good wall thickness but there is pitting in the bores. All and all nothing that cannot be done but will take time and money unless one does the work him or herself.

*This was originally a very fine gun and would be worth restoring in my opinion. My estimate for this work would roughly be 1K but this would not include a re-browning of the barrels.

*The positives are that the side lever action retains 50% original case color on the locks and all the engraving is sharp and of high quality.

*Note this gun features the Powell patent uplift opening lever. This patent looks a bit different but is actually quite easy to use.

The shotgun is tight and in super condition.

What I find most interesting and appreciate is the self retracting firing pins with rebounding hammers. See the pictures. The firing pin is actually connected to the hammer. I really like this!

*Note the modern dimensions, excellent engraving, and nice wood.

*Did you know that John Wayne was a big fan of Greener shotguns and featured them in some of his movies?

Charles Harbord, 5th Baron Suffield was appointed Lord of the Bedchamber to Edward, Prince of Wales (to become King Edward VII), to whom he was a close friend. Lord of the bedchamber??? Is that for real??? He later was chief of staff to the Prince of Wales during the Prince's expedition to India in 1875–1876. The 3-feather insignia of the Prince of Wales is engraved between the hammers of the rifle. The inscription on the rib helps us to place the year of manufacture to 1873 or 1874, so the rifle was no doubt ordered for this trip. The Oval is engraved with the family crest and motto.

*Lord of the Bedchamber is an ancient appointment to the Monarch, basically in modern speak, he would be a confidante of the Monarch , A trusted friend, and his role originally was to help dress the Monarch, guarding access to his bedchamber ,generally waiting on him. The main role was to be a friend. Lord Suffield was Master of the Robes at the coronation of Edward V11 in 1902. He married firstly Cecilia Annetta Baring (of the banking family) in 1854. in 1911 following her death he married again. He owned 12000 acres in Norfolk (Gunton Park). Lord Suffield 5th Baron died in 1914 The family crest was a shield with ermine crown on top and the family motto was Aequanimiter ..obviously Latin …for "Even Minded" The bores are extremely good (excellent) with very strong rifling. Some pitting around the breach and extractor. The wide rear V-notch sight is inlaid with a platinum pointer. Along with the expected stocking safeties there is an unusual lever safety which locks the trigger. We haven't seen this before.

The gun has had some stock work done over the years. There is a rather obvious but vintage and effective stock repair to a very old split in front of the sling swivel. The leather cheek piece could very well be original. The vintage horn and Silvers recoil pad may one day require some more attention.

The case itself retains its original case label, charge label, and contains an excellent array of tools and accessories including the proper bullet mold. These also include a chamber brush and oil bottle by Hawksley, a priming tool by W. Bartram, and powder measure among others.

A fine piece of British history that would make an excellent addition to any collection.

*The Lord of the bedchamber is a very old title first used in 1718. This involved assisting the monarch in dressing, waiting on him while he ate, and guarding access to his bed chamber. Holders of this position were considered to be extremely close and trusted confidants. In the later 1800s this position evolved to mean more as the position evolved to become quite powerful.

Rigby Records give us:

No.15072 was sold to the Marquis of (covered by ink stain) on 20 November 1880 per the Dublin records.

Best double rifle (from London)

.400

26" barrels

Sighting - 150 & 250

7 lbs 6oz Drop @ comb - 1 3/4" Drop @ heel - 2 3/8" Stock length - 14 11/16" Attached are pages from the London serial number book. You'll note that the rifle was sent from London to Dublin in the early 1870's.