Produced on contract for the British government, the Greene Carbine combined a Maynard patent priming system, paper cartridges and a unique hinged barrel arrangement to increase the rate of fire. All are casehardened, with blue small components, marked with "MASS. ARMS CO./CHICOPEE FALLS U.S.A. 1856" and "crown/ VxR" on the lock plate behind the hammer, "MAYNARD'S PATENT/SEP.22.1845" on the primer door, and "crown/A/3" proofs on the inside face of the plate.

All are good or better, with some fading of the colors and mild spotting. One mainspring is absent, otherwise mechanically very good overall.