W. W. Greener Double Rifle, caliber .577/500 Express (built between May and Septemer 1902)

[Tom Y. Hanssen]

In addition to my Merkel .470NE and Merkel 9.3x74R I just acquired a vintage W.W. Greener double rifle in .577/500 caliber. After getting the rifle I sent an email to the Greener company asking whether they had details of this particular one (sent serial number). After a few days I got the following reply:

"The W. W. Greener double rifle no. 50819 was started on 15th May 1902 and was completed on 28th September of the same year. It is a .577/500 double rifle with 26 inch Wrought steel barrels, chambered for the No. 2 Express cartridge. Stock dimensions when made were 3-1/4 by 2 by 15-3/16, 15 and 15-5/16 inches, half pistol hand, normal cast 3/16 and 3/8 inches. It was engraved by Horrocks. Providing the rifle is “in Proof”, it should be suitable for firing the No. 2 Express cartridge. The No. 2 Express cartridge – length of case is 2-13/16 inches long (71,44mm). Weight of cartridge is 847 grains, charge of black powder is 130 grains, weight of bullet is 340 grains, which produces a muzzle velocity of 1850 feet/second. The cartridges can be loaded with a suitable charge of smokeless powder according to the Nickle Base bullets."

If there is anyone out there that would have any information related to this rifle or model, where to get bullets, primers, powder, possibility to re-regulate the rifle from black powder to smokeless powder, potential value and useful load tables, that would be fantastic. I am enclosing a few pictures of the gun as I believe it is in excellent shape for a 121 year old gun (although I am no expert). There is no pitting inside the barrels, no corrosion to be seen, no slack in the mechanism, locking bolt is smooth, no cracks in woodwork or steel, safety is working as it should. The person I bought it from had inherited it from his father (had had it for 25 years and never fired it). His father had bought it at a wildlife/hunting/fishing fair in Oslo, Norway some 15-20 years before that (and only shot it twice). It also came with a full 3 dies set from RCBS, shell holder , leather bag, some 40 brass (20 Bertram, and a mix of Kynock/Eley), and bullets (110 gr).

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

Looks very good.

 

[uplander01]

You should shoot a moose with that thing my friend. It is perfect for that. Bertram will get you brass, have someone cast you bullets----

 

[PerH]

Call Hjemmelading, Trond Alvestad . He knows much about brass,dies etc, kule tang and so .

And J&F , Arendal,they are the main Woodleigh importers.

 

[PerH]

Also, to Gyland you could take a tour to gun smith Vatland ,he knows a good bit about doubles.

Option 2 ,Vågsland .

 

[Whit]

Very nice.

This rifle is the definition of what is colloquially known as a horse cannon.

 

[BigCat]

In addition to my Merkel .470NE and Merkel 9.3x74R I just acquired a vintage W.W. Greener double rifle in .577/500 caliber. After getting the rifle I sent an email to the Greener company asking whether they had details of this particular one (sent serial number). After a few days I got the following reply:

"The W. W. Greener double rifle no. 50819 was started on 15th May 1902 and was completed on 28th September of the same year. It is a .577/500 double rifle with 26 inch Wrought steel barrels, chambered for the No. 2 Express cartridge. Stock dimensions when made were 3-1/4 by 2 by 15-3/16, 15 and 15-5/16 inches, half pistol hand, normal cast 3/16 and 3/8 inches. It was engraved by Horrocks. Providing the rifle is “in Proof”, it should be suitable for firing the No. 2 Express cartridge. The No. 2 Express cartridge – length of case is 2-13/16 inches long (71,44mm). Weight of cartridge is 847 grains, charge of black powder is 130 grains, weight of bullet is 340 grains, which produces a muzzle velocity of 1850 feet/second. The cartridges can be loaded with a suitable charge of smokeless powder according to the Nickle Base bullets."

If there is anyone out there that would have any information related to this rifle or model, where to get bullets, primers, powder, possibility to re-regulate the rifle from black powder to smokeless powder, potential value and useful load tables, that would be fantastic. I am enclosing a few pictures of the gun as I believe it is in excellent shape for a 121 year old gun (although I am no expert). There is no pitting inside the barrels, no corrosion to be seen, no slack in the mechanism, locking bolt is smooth, no cracks in woodwork or steel, safety is working as it should. The person I bought it from had inherited it from his father (had had it for 25 years and never fired it). His father had bought it at a wildlife/hunting/fishing fair in Oslo, Norway some 15-20 years before that (and only shot it twice). It also came with a full 3 dies set from RCBS, shell holder , leather bag, some 40 brass (20 Bertram, and a mix of Kynock/Eley), and bullets (110 gr).

Hi Tom, I think this gun is the same caliber as yours, however it says here that it is rated for 440gr and 160gr of black powder. Do you think it is possible to reload with modern powders? I attach a couple of photos.