Approximately 4,000 of these unique rifles were manufactured from 1859 to the early 1860s; 900 for a U.S. contract and 3,000 for a Russian contract, with none of the Russian examples known. These rifles are historically significant as the first bolt action firearm adopted by the U.S. Ordnance Department. The Greene utilized an unusual system using two bullets in the chamber at a time, one in front for the actual projectile, and one contained in the rear end of a paper cartridge with a front located powder charge. Although the bore appears smooth, it actually has an oval type of rifling invented by London gunmaker Charles Lancaster. The barrel and stock of this example have been shortened from rifle length to carbine length, and it is fitted with a Model 1861 rifle-musket type rear sight.