3062

Exceptional and Rare Greene Breech Loading Carbine

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:6,000.00 USD Estimated At:NA
Exceptional and Rare Greene Breech Loading Carbine
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Estimate: $12000 - 20000
This is a very fine example of a rare Greene carbine, manufactured circa 1855-1857 with a total production of only about 300. The barrel is equipped with a blade front and folding ladder rear sights and there is a saddle ring mounted on the rear of the trigger guard bow. The upper tang is marked "GREENE'S PATENT/JUNE 27. 1854", the lock plate is marked "MASS ARMS CO./CHICOPEE FALLS" and the primer lid is marked "MAYNARD'S PATENT/SEP. 22. 1845". The forward portion of the barrel is brown, breech end, trigger guard, lower tang and receiver are blue and the remaining metal surfaces are casehardened. The carbine is mounted with a smooth straight grip stock fitted with a brass patch box and buttplate. In March of 1856 200 of these carbines were delivered to fill a U.S. contract, of those 170 were sent west to the 1st Cavalry for field testing and were carried on the Cheyenne Expedition in May of 1857. A small number were issued to the 6th Ohio at the outbreak of the Civil War and most of the rest were sent to Florida for field tests.
BBL: 22 inch part round
Stock: walnut
Gauge: 54 percussion
Finish: brown/blue/casehardened
Grips:
Serial Number: NSN
Condition: Very fine. The barrel retains 90% plus of the original brown finish with some muzzle wear and a few minor scratches. The breech end of the barrel, trigger guard and the receiver have 80% original bright blue finish with the balance bright metal. 60% plus original case colors overall with a smooth dove gray on the balance. A breech screw on the left side of breech is marred. The brass is bright. The stock is very fine with only a few small minor dings and handling marks. The trigger guard retains 90% plus bright original blue. The markings are crisp and clear. Mechanically excellent. A super nice, extremely rare Greene carbine.