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.

Very 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.