This weapon was produced by the English gunmaker W.W. Greener. Greener was a Birmingham based gun maker who put his name on the lockplates of his rifles and muskets. Typically Birmingham produced arms were simply marked “TOWER.”

William Wellington Greener was born in 1834. He was the son of London gunmaker William Greener, who had learned the trade as an apprentice to the very famous London gunmaker John Manton. The younger Greener learned the gun trade from his father. He established his own business in 1855. W.W. Greener initially worked in Birmingham and was located at Lench Street (1858-1863) and at Loveday Street, St Mary’s Works (1863-84) during the Civil War years.

Greener marked Enfield rifle muskets with Civil War association and provenance are rare. Only a few of them are known to exist today.

This Enfield rifle musket is in very good condition. The lock of the weapon is clearly marked GREENER in a single horizontal line forward of the hammer with the typical British crown to the rear. It has the Birmingham style double line boarder engraving and the feathered hammer. The lock retains some of the case coloring. Mechanics are excellent and functions perfectly.

The barrel is finished bright and is held to the stock by three blued iron bands that retain approx. 99% of their finish. Barrel surface is smooth with no pitting. Not even around the breech and bolster area. The barrel is marked at the breech with the Birmingham commercial proof, view, and definitive proof marks, which are separated by a pair of 25 gauge marks, indicating the gun is .577 caliber. Behind the rear sight the barrel is stamped “GREENER 1861” and on the top flat near the nipple is “MASS.” The proper rear sight is present as is the front sight. The bore of the weapon is very clean with good rifling.

The wood stock is in excellent condition. The surface of the wood shows only light wear and has few marks such as scratches or dents. Wood lines are sharp. The flat of the stock opposite the lock is stamped with “MASS.” in block letters. The only crack visible is a 0.75 inch closed crack at rear of the lockplate. There are no other markings on the stock.

Both original sling swivels are present. The original ramrod is present but is tight in the channel. The brass furniture has a nice dark patina. Also present is the leather topped nipple protector and chain. Edge of the protector is marked with a broad arrow.

A wonderful example of a US used British Enfield by a rare maker.  [ad]

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