^Lot 88 Greener EG Mark 111 BLANK Training Falling Block 12 ga Shotgun

Greener EG Mark 111 BLANK Training Falling Block 12 ga Shotgun

Here we present a W W Greener EG Mk. III Special Bore Shotgun in 12 Gauge, manufactured circa
the 1920s in Birmingham, England. The Greener police shotgun, whose roots go back as far the
1860s, is one of most unusual fighting shotguns which were employed by law enforcement
organizations throughout Britain.
The history of this shotgun began just after the completion of World War I, when colonial police forces
requested a weapon suitable for riot control and prison guard duty.
A second request was that the gun should use proprietary ammunition not available through
commercial channels, making illegal use from guns stolen or taken away from police more complicated
for criminals. This request was fulfilled by the famous British gunmaker W.W. Greener, who
developed a single-shot shotgun, based on the long-obsolete but rugged Martini single-shot action.
This new gun fired proprietary shells (so that if it fell into the wrong hands it could not easily be used)
and featured a very rugged wooden full stock with steel nose cap and buttplate, so it can be safely
and routinely used not only as a gun, but also as a club, banging doors and occasional hot heads
in the course of upkeeping the law and order.

William W. Greener was a member of the second generation family which had been involved with
gunmaking from 1829 to the present day. Greener served his apprenticeship with John Gardner in
Newcastle prior to working for Joe Manton, who was probably the best gunmaker in England in the
early 1800s. In 1829 he set up his own shop in Newcastle making percussion muzzle loading
sporting and military shotguns and rifles, as well as harpoon guns for the Dundee Whalers.
However, he found it difficult to obtain the best materials, so he moved to Birmingham in 1844 where
Greener Gunmaking has remained ever since.

The overall condition is fair. Gray/brown patina throughout. The action is NOT functional.
The bore is smooth and has a similar color to the exterior steel surfaces.
On top of the barrel is the word BLANK stamped into the steel. The action does not work and the lever
does not deploy.
We assume the gun was deactivated for training purposes.
The stock is solid.and does show many bumps and dents - only one small crack on right side of
rear stock behind receiver.

This firearm is classified as a Curio & Relic. There are numerous stamps on receiver and barrel - some appear
not english at all. See pictures.