This is a very fine example of a rare Greene carbine, manufactured circa 1855-1857 with a total production of only about 300. The barrel is equipped with a blade front and folding ladder rear sights and there is a saddle ring mounted on the rear of the trigger guard bow. 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 forward portion of the barrel is brown, breech end, trigger guard, lower tang and receiver are blue and the remaining metal surfaces are casehardened. The carbine is mounted with a smooth straight grip stock fitted with a brass patch box and buttplate. In March of 1856 200 of these carbines were delivered to fill a U.S. contract, of those 170 were sent west to the 1st Cavalry for field testing and were carried on the Cheyenne Expedition in May of 1857. A small number were issued to the 6th Ohio at the outbreak of the Civil War and most of the rest were sent to Florida for field tests.

Very fine. The barrel retains 90% plus of the original brown finish with some muzzle wear and a few minor scratches. The breech end of the barrel, trigger guard and the receiver have 80% original bright blue finish with the balance bright metal. 60% plus original case colors overall with a smooth dove gray on the balance. A breech screw on the left side of breech is marred. The brass is bright. The stock is very fine with only a few small minor dings and handling marks. The trigger guard retains 90% plus bright original blue. The markings are crisp and clear. Mechanically excellent. A super nice, extremely rare Greene carbine.