Forums.NitroExpress.com

In Maharajah Marrakai's youth riding elephants after Top End water buffalo, banteng, scrub bull, boar, Top End wild dogs, flat dogs, sambhur not to mention the odd tiger, his "Fat Lady" now Mick's would have made a dandy Howdah hunting long arm.

A .577 2 3/4" Light Nitro, 650 gr projectiles. Adequate for all the above species plus elephant itself. Or a tiger on one's (elephant's) back!

http://forums.nitroexpress.com/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=231050&an=&page=0&vc=1

Thought it was time I did a photo spread of the "Fat Lady" since my days as the 3rd and current owner are numbered.
Here are the details of this most interesting rifle:

W.W.Greener Double Barrel Express Rifle chambered for the .577 x 2 3/4 Light Nitro cartridge. This rifle was built on a 1928 Greener "Empire" (Grade E-17) 12-bore shotgun action by Melbourne gunsmith Rolph Bachnick, in the first year of the new millenium I believe. I have owned it since October 2003. Overall weight is 10 1/2 lbs and the balance point is 2 1/4 inches ahead of the hinge-pin, still well behind the forward hand. Barrels are 22 inches with British express sights including a faceted diamond front bead! Barrel engraving reads ".577 - 2 3/4 Case" and "65 Grain Cordite / 650 Grain Bullet". Rib is engine-turned with maker's name in a banner: "W.W.Greener Maker 40 Pall Mall London S.W. Works St Mary's Square Birmingham."

The action remains tight on the face and bores remain in excellent condition, appearing virtually as new. External rust-blueing of the barrels is very fine and still appearing virtually new. The non-automatic Greener side-safety is modified with a clever raised rib for positive non-slip operation. Stock finish shows a few minor dents and scratches commensurate with field carry, and some thinning of the oil finish at the front of the comb, however the stock still looks great and I never considered a refinish to be necessary.

Hope you enjoy the photos!

Rifle: Right Hand Side view:

Rifle: Left Hand Side with cartridge box:

Rifle: Left Hand Side viewed from above:

Barrel Rib with Express Sights:

Action: Right Hand Side:

Action: Top view:

Action: underside and Floor Plate:

Barrel and Rib Engraving:

Action Flats with Greener "Elephant" Trade Mark:

Barrel Flats with new Proof Marks:

Standing Breech showing the Breech Face:

Trigger Guard Tang showing E-17 Grade engraving:

Rear Express Sight viewed from above:

Single Standing Leaf Express Sight:

Faceted Diamond Front Sight Bead:

Front Sight showing Engine-Turned Base and Caterpillar Bead:

Buttstock: Right Hand Side view:

Last Bull taken with the Greener .577 double rifle:

Alas the "Fat Lady" never saw rifled service in India. Converted to a DR by Rolf Babnick in Melbourne.

But next to the perfect Howdah hunting tool.

--------------------
John aka NitroX

...
Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"

Post Extras