Guns International #: 103419555
Seller's Inventory #: 258102

Category - Civil War Carbines - Antique Rifles - Percussion

Category
Civil War Carbines
Antique Rifles - Percussion

Rare c1855 MASS. ARMS GREENE PATENT CAVALRY CARBINE .577 Civil War Antique CRIMEAN WAR, AMERICAN CIVIL WAR

Description:
Rare c1855 MASS. ARMS GREENE PATENT CAVALRY CARBINE .577 Civil War Antique

CRIMEAN WAR, AMERICAN CIVIL WAR

Here Ancestry Guns presents an antique Massachusetts Arms Co. British Contract Greene Patent Breech Loading Percussion Carbine manufactured circa 1855-57. There was one small contract of probably no more than 300 for the US government field trials, many of which went on the Cheyenne Expedition in 1857, and a British War Department contract of about 2,000, which went on to see some use in the Crimean War in that same timeframe. The British variant differs from the American version in that it was chambered in a larger .577 caliber, had Queen Victoria’s royal cipher engraved behind the hammer on the lock, displays British proofmarks, features a shorter barrel, possesses a hexa-decagonal section ahead of the rear sight, includes a sling ring on the lower tang, and utilizes steel for the buttplate and patch box instead of brass. The American contract went on to be issued to the 6th Ohio Cavalry. This example has a British sold out of service mark on the left of the barrel, and “U.S.” marking in the left tail of the stock, indicating it may have been bought back from the British and used in U.S. military service during the Civil War era. A very small handful of other Greene carbines with the same “U.S.” marking are known.

Massachusetts Arms Co.’s fit and finish on these cabines was second to none. They are like Swiss watches in their machining and functionality. For example, to open the breech for loading, pull the front trigger, twist the barrel at the multifaceted portion which will unlock the lugs, then pull out the barrel onto a hinge. It is remarkably smooth. These also have the Maynard tape primer which allowed the user to install a roll of fulminate paper caps so that with each cocking of the hammer the piece was primed for the shooter, rather than having to put the metallic caps on the cone by hand. These were on the cutting edge of technology for the percussion era, only to be overshadowed by metallic cartridge firearms such as the Sharps, the Spencer, and the Henry, among others. These are quite desirable for the American Civil War collector but also for their use by the British in Crimea, a conflict from which we are still feeling the aftershocks.

The overall condition is fine. Much of the original finish is preserved. Robust action. Shiny bright bore with crisp rifling. Fine stock, contains minimal handling wear. Numbers match. “U.S.” stamped on the left buttstock. A wonderful piece of history: made in America, used by the Brits in Crimea, then back to the states for War between the States.

Own the original! This is a legitimate antique and not a reproduction.

Barrel is 18 inches.

Caliber: .577 Percussion

Overall condition as seen in photos.

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$6500

#258102
 

Antique: Yes

Price: $6,500.00
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