Only 4,500 Greene rifles were manufactured by A.H. Waters Armory in the late 1850s and early 1860s. 3,000 of these were manufactured for a Russian contract, 900 were purchased by the U.S. government for the Army, and the remaining 600 were sold on the open market, including an unknown number sold through William Read & Sons in Boston to state militias. The Greene has the distinction of being considered the first bolt action rifle purchased for the U.S. Army. However, technically, the bolt mechanism is simply a loading feature, and the action itself operates via a manually cocked ring hammer ahead of the trigger guard. Although the bore appears smooth, it actually has oval rifling invented by Charles Lancaster, a London Gunmaker. It is marked "GREENE'S PATENT/NOV. 17 1857." on the upper tang and features a bayonet lug/blade front sight, stepped rear sight graduated 5 through 8 on the folding leaf and 1-4 on the base, three barrel bands, trumpet head ramrod, buttplate with trapdoor (compartment empty), straight wrist walnut stock, and sling swivels mounted on the middle barrel band and lower tang. An ill fitting "J.D.G." marked socket bayonet is included.

Very good. The rifle retains 40% of the fading original blue finish and has traces of original case colors. There are patches of brown patina, light oxidation, scattered marks, and some areas of minor pitting. The stock is very good and has some minor pressure marks, small dents, and light scratches. The is some minor chipping just above the trigger guard on the right. It is mechanically fine and has crisp markings. The bayonet has primarily gray patina and has some moderate pitting.