1240

Extremely Rare Massachusetts Arms Greene Carbine with 26 Inch Barrel Tin Finish and in 45 Caliber

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:9,000.00 USD Estimated At:18,000.00 - 27,500.00 USD
Extremely Rare Massachusetts Arms Greene Carbine with 26 Inch Barrel Tin Finish and in 45 Caliber

Estimate: $18000 - 27500
This is a very fine example of an extremely rare Greene carbine, manufactured by Massachusetts Arms Co. circa 1855-1857 with a total production of only about 300. A majority of these carbines were manufactured with a 22 inch barrel, 54 caliber and had a brown finished barrel, blue receiver and casehardened lock and breech tang. All Greene carbines were equipped with the Maynard tape primer. This carbine has a 26 inch barrel chambered in 45 caliber and is finished in the very rare tin finish. A few were known to have been manufactured with the longer barrel, tin finish and smaller caliber. On page 31 of the book "Civil War Carbines Vol II" by McAulay he mentions that a few American Greene carbines were made with the 26 inch 45 caliber barrel, and finished in either tin or nickel. 200 of these carbines were delivered to fill a U.S. contract in March of 1856. Of the 200, 170 were sent out west and issued to the 1st Cavalry for field testing and carried on the Cheyenne Expedition in May of 1857. Most of the remaining carbines were sent to Florida for field trials and the small quantity remaining in U.S. arsenals at the outbreak of the Civil War were issued to the 6th Ohio cavalry. These carbines have a unique breech loading system. There is a set of two triggers, the front trigger releases the barrel that is turned to the left 1/4 turn. The barrel then is pulled forward and rotated to the right for loading and unloading. 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 serial number "5" is marked on the barrel under the rear sight and on the rear sight base. The barrel is equipped with a dovetailed blade front sight and folding ladder rear sight absent of any graduation markings. All surfaces had the tin finish including the brass patch box and buttplate. Mounted with a smooth straight grip stock.
BBL: 26 inch round
Stock: walnut
Gauge: 45 percussion
Finish: tin
Grips:
Serial Number: 5
Condition: Very fine. The carbine retains 60% original tin finish. The forward 17 1/2 inches of the barrel has a smooth brown patina while the balance of the barrel is a mix of smooth brown patina and original tin finish. The right upper rear of the barrel has had "GREEN" lightly marked on it. The trigger guard has a smooth brown patina. The remaining parts retain almost all of the original tin finish with some thinning on the upper tang. The stock is very good with an old repair on the upper right side of the wrist and "GREENE" has been painted in 1/4 inch letters on the upper right rear. The stock has had a coat of varnish added, more than likely at the time of the repair and shows a few minor dings and scratches. All markings are clear. The action is excellent. An extremely rare one of only a few manufactured with a 26 inch 45 caliber barrel and tin finish. This is the first tin finished Greene carbine Rock Island Auction has offered for public sale and quite possibly could be the last.
More Information