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RARE MASS. ARMS GREENE CARBINE (British Contract)
Guns International #: 102165492 Seller's Inventory #:
Category: Antique Rifles - Percussion - Civil War Carbines
Seller's Information
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Seller: dksiggs
Company:
Member Since: 5/1/15
First Name: Darrell
Last Name: Seigler
State: Illinois
Zip: 61350
Country: United States
Phone: (815) 830-1162
Fax:
Number of Active Listings: 8
Total Number of Listings: 24
Seller: Private Seller
Return Policy: 3 day inspection and return policy on used guns.
Payment Types Accepted: Check, Money Order
Description:
Rare Massachusetts Arms Greene Carbine (British Contract). This is a hinged breech-loading .54 caliber carbine patented in 1854 by James Greene. Only about 2,000 British-type Greene carbines were manufactured by the Mass. Arms Co. from 1855-57 for the British for use in the Crimean War. They differ from the American type (only about 300 of those, with 22” barrel). Differences include the use of Queen Victoria’s “St. Edward’s Crown/VR” cipher behind hammer on the lock, the British proof marks, shorter barrel (18”), 16-sided hand grasp section ahead of the rear sight, sling swivel on the lower trigger plate, and the use of blued casehardened steel for the butt and patch box instead of brass. All except a couple of hundred are believed to have been scrapped for parts before those intact were sold by the British government as surplus; few are believed to have seen actual British military use. Markings include “MASS ARM. CO./CHICOPEE FALLS/U.S.A. 1856″ behind the cipher on the lock, Maynard patent marking on the primer door, British proofs, the two-line Greene patent marking on the upper tang, and matching serial numbers.
THIS GUN: Matching serial numbers 1773. British and American markings. The lock has a speckled appearance, mechanics are excellent, the wood (walnut) is fine with most of the original finish and a few normal dings, and there are two small areas of pitting from resting a longtime on the high points. Patch box is excellent all the way. Barrel is 18 inches, and bore has 3-groove rifling in excellent, nearly mint, condition.
LOADING PROCESS: The Greene carbine used the Maynard patented Tape Primer system, and loading was unusual indeed. The process: (1) the front trigger is pulled to release the barrel, done by grasping the 16-sided section and turning it 90 degrees counter-clockwise (rotates the barrel lugs out of alignment with the locking shoulders and allows the barrel to be pulled forward); (2) the barrel then pivots to the right, dropping down for access to the breech; (3) then a self-contained paper cartridge, including powder and projectile, could be loaded; (4) the barrel is then swung back up into position and pulled to the rear, allowing an ignition cone to pierce the base of the cartridge; (5) the barrel is then rotated clockwise to lock the breech. The hammer is cocked and Maynard’s Tape Primer system would place a primer over the nipple and is ready to fire by pulling the rear trigger.
Buyer pays shipping, via USPS Priority Mail at $60.00. Thank you.
SOLD
Antique: Yes
Rifle Caliber: .54
Manufacturer: Massachusetts Arms Co.
Model: Greene Carbine
Serial Number: 1773
Bore: 3-groove rifling
Condition: Fine (Antique)
Bore Condition: Excellent to mint
Action: Excellent