Buying W.W. Greener: Tales from the Golden Age of Surplus

Published on January 7, 2026
Duration: 8:29

This video details the fascinating acquisition of the W.W. Greener company and its assets by Val Forgett of Navy Arms. It highlights the strategic business dealings, the discovery of hidden assets like the Greener Police Gun, and the acquisition of unique historical firearms such as a WWI sniper variant of the .280 Ross rifle. The narrative emphasizes the historical context of surplus firearms and the shrewd business acumen involved in acquiring a storied gunmaker's legacy.

Quick Summary

The W.W. Greener company was acquired by Val Forgett of Navy Arms through a series of strategic business maneuvers. This included purchasing the Greener museum collection, discovering and leveraging a Burmese government letter of credit for Greener Police Guns, and ultimately negotiating the company's assets and intellectual property rights, securing unique firearms like a WWI sniper .280 Ross rifle.

Chapters

  1. 00:03Introduction & Guest
  2. 00:24Greener Company Acquisition
  3. 01:00Greener Museum Guns
  4. 01:37WWI Ross Sniper Rifle
  5. 02:57Discovery of Business Assets
  6. 04:48Strategic Acquisition Tactics
  7. 06:08Rights and Royal Guns
  8. 07:34Outcome of the Deal

Frequently Asked Questions

How did Navy Arms acquire the W.W. Greener company?

Val Forgett of Navy Arms acquired the W.W. Greener company by first purchasing its museum collection and then strategically negotiating to buy the company's remaining assets and intellectual property from the Coltman Group, leveraging a discovered letter of credit for Greener Police Guns.

What historical firearms were discussed in relation to the W.W. Greener acquisition?

The discussion highlighted a unique WWI sniper variant of the .280 Ross rifle, documented from the Greener museum, and the Greener Police Gun, which utilized a Martini-style action and proprietary ammunition, originally commissioned by the Burmese government.

What was the significance of the Burmese government's letter of credit?

The Burmese government's letter of credit was a crucial, initially hidden asset that Val Forgett discovered. It validated a significant outstanding order for Greener Police Guns, providing substantial leverage in his negotiations to acquire the company's assets.

What business tactics were employed in acquiring W.W. Greener?

Shrewd tactics included Val Forgett posing with a fake British accent to confirm the validity of a letter of credit, negotiating the purchase of the company for a 'worthless' check, and later securing manufacturing and intellectual property rights through his association with Webley & Scott.

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