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Title Greene's carbine lock with Maynard primer, .54 calibre
Nationality American
Period 1856
Sold

This was made for the British Ordnance contract 1855-57 by Massachusetts Arms Co of Chicopee Falls, Mass, a total of 2,000 carbines being delivered. They were ordered for expected use in the Crimean War, but in fact saw little service. The barrel was shorter than the US version, only some 18" long as against 22" for the US issue.

British Ordnance trials of the era reported favourably on this gun: accurate to 400 yards, as good as any other carbine on the market and better than most, as there was no visible escape of gas and, even after firing 280 rounds without lubrication, a rate of fire of almost ten rounds per minute was still attainable.

This was a capping breechloader, using paper cartridges ignited by paper caps fed into action by Maynard's patent primer, as the gun was cocked for each shot. All the original colour case hardened finish remains and only the remains of broken side nails fore and aft mar what is otherwise a near perfect lock. There is even the remains of a Maynard cap tape within the tape magazine!

If you want to comment on this item—re quality, age, etc—please email me.


[Firearms : Percussion Longarms : American : 19th Century]

testimonials

Thank you for the delivery which arrived yesterday. The badges are in excellent condition.

P S, UK, 18.12.2012

Having received the beautiful medal that has been the subject of many recent phone calls, I am absolutely delighted with it. More importantly, the research you provided into the military backgrounds of all those involved made it all the more poignant. Thank you for your highly professional and friendly help and advice throughout the transaction.

Edward Hudson, UK, 10.02.2011

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