Skip to main content
Rock Island Auction Company
AuctionsConsignmentLatestFAQAbout us
Log InCreate Account
Rock Island Auction CompanyRock Island Auction Company
Contact us
1-309-797-15001-800-238-8022[email protected]
Locations
Bedford, TX
3600 Harwood RoadBedford, Texas 76021, USA
Rock Island, IL
7819 42nd Street WestRock Island, Illinois 61201, USA
Hours
Monday - Friday8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Navigation
AuctionsConsignmentLatestFAQAbout usAccount
More Info
Terms & ConditionsPrivacy PolicyJob postings & CareersOrder a catalogContact
Social media
© 2025 Rock Island Auction Company. RIAC believes that this website is accessible to the widest possible audience pursuant to the guidelines of the Americans with Disability Act. Click here for more information.
Healthcare Transparency in Coverage.
Disconnected
Unable to connect to live update server, attempting reconnection. If this persists, please try refreshing your browser.
Disconnected state indicated by at top of page. If you cannot see this icon, you are connected.
Rock Island Auction Company
Hello.
Please Log In, or .

Home
Auctions
Consignment
Latest
FAQ
About us

  • /Auctions...
  • /Catalog...
  • /Lot 142

Lot 142:Waters A H Greene Breech Loading Rifle 53

April 29th, 2016|Rock Island, IL
  • /Auctions...
  • /Catalog...
  • /Lot 142

Lot 142:Waters A H Greene Breech Loading Rifle 53

April 29th, 2016|Rock Island, IL
Price Realized:
Login to viewLogin to view
Price obfuscated
Estimated Price$4,500 - $5,500
Log In to use Wishlists
Share

Scarce Greene Underhammer Breech Loading Percussion Rifle with Rare J.D.G. Inspected Bayonet

These unusual rifles were manufactured just before the Civil War by A. H. Waters Armory in Millbury, Massachusetts. Only 1,500 were manufactured for the U.S. and another 3,000 were produced for a Russian contract. 900 of the rifles were purchased by the Ordnance Department and delivered in March of 1863, the remaining quantities are believed to have been sold to state units through William Read & Sons in Boston. These rifles were designed by Lieutenant Colonel J. Durrell Greene of the Army and are considered to be the first bolt action firearms adopted by the U.S. Ordnance Department. The bolt seats the load firmly in barrel and seals the breech and a simple underhammer percussion mechanism ignites the load. The design also uses an oval bore based on Charles Lancaster's rifling and is meant to be loaded with two bullets at a time. The second bullet sat behind the powder charge and acted as a gas seal then the bullet was pushed forward and used for the next shot. The rifle is marked with "GREENE'S PATENT/NOV. 17. 1857" on the upper tang. It has blade and folding ladder sights graduated out to 400 yards on the base and 800 on the ladder. Interestingly, the socket bayonet is marked "J.D.G.", suggesting Greene inspected it himself. The consignor states that this is the only such bayonet known.

ConditionVery fine. 75% of the original blue/brown finish remains and trace strong case colors remain. The balance has brown patina and some minor oxidation. The stock is also very fine and has a few minor dents and light scratches. It functions very well and the markings are clear. The bayonet is fine and has a mottled gray patina with some minor pitting.
Details
ManufacturerWaters A H
ModelGreene Breech Loading Rifle
TypeRifle
ClassAntique
Caliber / Gauge53
Barrel36 inch round
Finishblue
Stockwalnut

Item LocationRock Island, IL
Views1959
Catalog page61
Find MoreRelated Items
Lot 3299U.S. Marked British Contract Mass Arms Co. Greene Carbine
View Lot
Lot 1245Civil War U.S. Contract Merrill Breech Loading Percussion Rifle
View Lot
Lot 254Civil War U.S. Amoskeag First Type Lindner Saddle Ring Carbine
View Lot
Lot 256Civil War U.S. Gibbs Breech Loading Saddle Ring Carbine
View Lot
Show More