EXCEPTIONALLY RARE VARIANT GREENE CARBINE FOR U.S. CAVALRY ISSUE

EXCEPTIONALLY RARE VARIANT GREENE CARBINE FOR U.S. CAVALRY ISSUE

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$8,500.00

Quantity Available: 1

Item Code: 490-7439

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James Greene patented this unusual breechloading carbine design in 1854 and arranged to have it manufactured by the Massachusetts Arms Company of Chicopee Falls. He managed to sell 300 of them to the US military, in .54 caliber and with 22-inch barrels. However, a much larger order of 2000 was placed by the British military, apparently with the intention of arming their mounted rifle units; these when found are British military marked with Crown "VR" and a plethora of British proof and inspection marks.

The Greene design revolved around a hinged breech system that was locked by a rotating barrel with two massive lugs opposed 180 degrees from each other. A 2nd trigger, forward of the one that fired the gun, retracted the breech mechanism locking pin when it was depressed. This allowed the user to rotate the breech and barrel section of the carbine 90 degrees in a counterclockwise direction and unlock the two large lugs from the frame recesses they engaged. The hinged breech and barrel assembly could then be pushed forward and swung open to the right by 90 degrees, exposing the chamber to load a cartridge. When the nitrated paper or linen cartridge was loaded, the barrel section was then swung back to the left, pulled to the rear and rotated clockwise to lock it. When the barrel section was pulled back to seat against the receiver of the carbine, a pointed, hollow extension from the breech face punctured the cartridge and made sure that the spark from the primer flash was communicated directly into the power in the cartridge. The carbine also utilized the Maynard patent tape priming mechanism developed by Dr. Edward Maynard. This used a varnished paper roll of priming pellets, much like a modern roll of caps in a child’s cap gun. In late December 1854, Greene demonstrated his breechloading carbine to the US Ordnance Department board. On May 23, 1855, Greene received an order to deliver 200 of his carbines for additional testing. These guns were brass-mounted arms with blued receivers and 22 inch long with .54 caliber browned barrels. Greene arranged for the manufacture of the guns by the Massachusetts Arms Company.  The guns were delivered during March of 1856 and saw field service and testing during 1857 and 1858. Only 300 of these were purchased by the U.S. government. The first 200 were delivered in March 1856 and shipped to the 1st Cav. for the Cheyenne Expedition in May 1857. The rest were sent to the 2nd Cav. in FL. Those that were still in service at the beginning of the Civil War were issued to the 6th Ohio Cavalry.

This excellent condition carbine. It is all iron mounted and .577 caliber but was not made for the British Government. It has an 18-inch round rotating barrel with 85% original blue (mixing with a mellow brown) whose long upper tang is marked “GREENE’S PATENT" over "JUNE 27. 1854”. “MAYNARD’S PATENT" over "SEP. 22.1845.” is in a circle on the primer cover door. The back-action once case-hardened lock plate reads: “MASS ARMS CO" over "CHICOPEE FALLS"; notably there is no "U. S. A. 1856" as found on all the British made examples. The rotating barrel is locked by the front trigger. The bore has excellent rifling. The butt stock is in fine condition with no brakes or repairs. The original saddle ring is in place. Mechanics are perfect.

This weapon conforms physically to those exported to Britain having those same features but without any British proofs or acceptance marks; therefore, one must conclude that it was made at the time the British carbines were being made but this rare example was destined for domestic US use only. It was very likely sold to a state or was a private purchase, like the Henry rifles, Colts and the first Spencers, just prior to or during the early months of the Civil War.

This is one for the books and the most advanced US martial arms collector.   [pe][ph:L]

DISCLAIMER: All firearms are sold as collector's items only - we do not accept responsibility as to the shooting safety or reliability of any antique firearm. All firearms are described as accurately as possible, given the restraints of a catalog listing length. We want satisfied customers & often "under" describe the weapons. Any city or state regulations regarding owning antique firearms are the responsibility of the purchaser. All firearms are "mechanically perfect" unless noted, but again, are NOT warranted as safe to fire!

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