20th century AD. A Greener Mark III Police issue martini-action 12/14 gauge (obsolete calibre and cartridge) shotgun with wood butt (with steel butt plate and compartment) and grip (with steel nosecap), numbered 44071 to underside of lock, fitted with sling swivels, safety catch and rudimentary open sights; bearing British proof and reproof marks and various Egyptian marks to barrel and lock; also marked 'GREENER MARK III' to top of barrel, 'W W GREENER MAKER / PATENT No 463628/35' in two lines to left side of lock and 'E G / MARK III' to right side. 3.6 kg, 106cm (41 3/4"). Ex Essex, UK collector. The Greener 12/14g shotgun resulted from a British Government need for a robust, low maintenance, single shot weapon for Colonial Police use; the weapon also had to serve as a club (hence the heavy steel butt plate and nosecap) and to accept ammunition not readily available in case it fell into the hands of others so the special brass cartridge was designed with both a bottle-neck shape and an annular recess in the base which, combined with two lugs in the breech, made it impossible to close the breech on any other cartridge.

Fine condition; FAC not required.