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 Paul in Briz |
Greener GP |
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Lance Sergeant
Posts: 70 (03/29/09 01:45:16) Lance Corporal |
I'm in the process of getting a Greener GP 12 bore take-down model with a 2 1/2 chamber. Can any of the learned members of the forum give me an
approximate date of manufacture? The serial number is T11391.
Thanks in advance Paul |
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 The Double D |
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Veteran of the Regiment
Posts: 4850 (03/29/09 05:21:10) Moderator Emeritus |
Paul,
According the the Greener book serial numbers have no letters. GP's were made 1922 to 1979 |
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Pinky |
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Veteran of the Regiment
Posts: 1047 (03/29/09 07:06:49) Sergeant Major |
The one I have in my possession at this moment has the serial number G81567 it is a take down type frame with G81 on one side of the split and 567 on the
other.
Picture to follow Pinky Serial 
It is not a gun. It is not a Weapon. It is not a firearm. It is a single cylinder single stroke internal combustion engine with a free floating piston!
Last Edited By: Pinky
03/29/09 23:19:03.
Edited 1 times.
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The Double D |
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Veteran of the Regiment
Posts: 4851 (03/29/09 07:24:17) Moderator Emeritus |
Greener book doesn't list serial number with letters.
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Pinky |
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Veteran of the Regiment
Posts: 1048 (03/29/09 07:56:53) Sergeant Major |
DD
Thats strange, How many numbers do they show in the serial numbers in the book? Maybe they do not show the letter just the numbers, could the letters be for their own use like identifying particular runs of firearms do you think? Can't see them leaving out a whole set of serial numbers they seem too organized for that to happen. Pinky
It is not a gun. It is not a Weapon. It is not a firearm. It is a single cylinder single stroke internal combustion engine with a free floating piston!
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The Double D |
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Veteran of the Regiment
Posts: 4852 (03/29/09 08:25:07) Moderator Emeritus |
The Greener book has serial number listed for all different models of Greeners made and none of them in any model listed, use a letter in the serial number, so
it must be so. Right? The book couldn't be in error could it...
By the way a GP serial nuimber 11391 was made in in 1935. When was the 2 3/4 chamber introduced? 81567 would be 1976. These numbers are for GP's and not Police Guns.
Last Edited By: The Double D
03/29/09 08:32:48.
Edited 3 times.
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Paul in Briz |
Greener GP | ||
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Lance Sergeant
Posts: 71 (03/29/09 21:34:01) Lance Corporal |
I double checked and there is definately a "T" in the serial number. Another one of lifes little mysteries.
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GJ |
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Sergeant
Posts: 113 (03/30/09 00:04:02) Corporal |
Have a look at the proof marks. If it has Birmingham proof marks they were "secretly" date marked after 1920 with a gap between 1941 and 1950. It is
usualy in the form of crossed scepters with letters dots or numbers in various quadrants. Between 1975 and 1990 they were in a circle. Describe the mark and
i'll give you the date. Or go to www.antiqueguns.com/ General Discussion, page 3 , British Proof Mark Help,
dated 01/26/2009.
Gwyn Jones |
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freddo |
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Veteran of the Regiment
Posts: 1240 (03/30/09 02:47:21) |
I think maybe the letter may not have anything to do with the serial number.My GP has a small letter w then the number 37248 after the number there are three
small dashes and the letter m upside down relative to the number.Like yours,it seems that the letters were stamped with a different stamp to that used for the
numbers.If the letter was part of the serial number surely it would be the same size and the same size on all GPs
My GP is still in the cardboard box in which it was sold.It has a 23/4'' chamber.I think it probably dates from the 50's I say that because I bought one back then and I remember it was in the same type box.
Last Edited By: freddo
03/30/09 02:51:43.
Edited 1 times.
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The Double D |
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Veteran of the Regiment
Posts: 4858 (03/30/09 05:42:57) Moderator Emeritus |
Pinky,
I'm with Freddo on this I don't think the letter is part of the serial number. The letter is a different size and font. My GP has a smaller number if front but is definitely not part of the number. My Mk III Greener also has a letter adjacent but it is not part off the serialnumber. GJ Tthose proofs Bill Curtis eleudes to can be found as a sticky at the top of the Rimfire Central Martini forum. http://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=46389 Here is the links to the code. datecode page 1 http://personal.swayzee.com/jayb/datecode1a.jpg datecode page 2 http://personal.swayzee.com/jayb/datecode2a.jpg datecode page 3 http://personal.swayzee.com/jayb/datecode3a.jpg I have only ever seen those marks on BSA Martini's. To give you some idea what you are looking for to find that date code. This is the bottom of the barrel under the fore stock of the Model 12 Takedown I got yesterday. 
Lots of marks, but which is it? 
See it now, right below the N 
E for 1 July 1925 to 30 June 1926. Two of my Greener barrels bear these view marks.
Last Edited By: The Double D
03/30/09 05:45:39.
Edited 1 times.
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RichardWV |
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Veteran of the Regiment
Posts: 759 (03/30/09 08:26:24) Sergeant Major |
That barrel looks like someone turned a 12 year old loose with a hand full of stamps. On the serial number, I checked my two Greeners and both have letters in
a different font than the serial number. Probably some code on final inspection or such, but I'd agree it isn't part of the serial number.
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Pinky |
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Veteran of the Regiment
Posts: 1052 (03/30/09 08:31:23) Sergeant Major |
Intended to be or not it certainly has become part of the serial number on the official paperwork down here!
Pinky
It is not a gun. It is not a Weapon. It is not a firearm. It is a single cylinder single stroke internal combustion engine with a free floating piston!
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RichardWV |
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Veteran of the Regiment
Posts: 760 (03/30/09 08:49:26) Sergeant Major |
Pinky, I have no doubt the letters have become part of the "official" serial numbers just about everywhere. It is only when one starts comparing
notes that the issue of it not being part of the serial number comes up. I'm sure that the external numbers that many countries have stamped on Martini
Henrys (India and S.Africa come to mind) have become their "official" serial number vice the real one that is only visible by removing the fore
stock. Importers into the US now have to add their own unique serial number to firearms which are of course different than the originals. All of which
underscores the difficulty in stating what the real serial number is for many firearms....particularly if you don't know their history and the practices of
the countries through which they traveled. I've got one Martini that came out of S.Africa with 3 sets of visible numbers, any one of which could be
mistaken by someone for the "real" serial number. Of course the real one isn't visible on the exterior, but only a collector would generally know
that.
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Jim Durling |
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Sergeant Major
Posts: 308 (03/30/09 09:09:32) Lance Sergeant |
I agree with Richard, many guns are registered incorrectly on certificates. I have two down as No Visible Number or NVN, as we couldn't agree what was he
real number.
Jim |
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Paul in Briz |
Greener GP | ||
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Lance Sergeant
Posts: 72 (03/31/09 15:02:15) Lance Corporal |
I double checked my serial number, and the "T" is at right angles to the serial number, i.e. the "T" is laying down with the bottow of the
"T" closest to the numbers.
The proof marks are on the left hand side of the chamber rather than under the barrel. Under NITRO PROOF 1 1/4 OZ appears to be looking through my jewellers magnifier a set of crossed swords with B either side of the swords. Underneath appears to be a 3? Am I reading this right and would 1951 be the viewing date? |
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The Double D |
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Veteran of the Regiment
Posts: 4859 (03/31/09 16:51:42) Moderator Emeritus |
1951 viewed at Birmingham, action Made 1935. If you read Winfer you well learn that such thing was quite normal.
The serial number on my GP says 1952. The front of my reciever is stamped 52. The side of the rear screw escutcheon for the fore stock is also stamped 52. The secret barrel view code is 1954. |
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Paul in Briz |
Greener GP | ||
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Lance Sergeant
Posts: 73 (03/31/09 23:31:30) Lance Corporal |
Thanks for the information. I was given two boxes of Fiocchi 2 1/2" cartridges as part of the deal. One day I might have a paradox barrel made for it.
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