online Militaria dealer - Antique-Militaria [UK]
magnify icon Search militaria Medals - Arms - Militaria
Home icon Antique Militaria Home for the SEs and the curious Site map People shaking hands icon Historic comments
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

Thanks for selling my collection. I am very pleased with the results.

J D, USA, 05.04.2011

Picked up the dirk this morning and actually waited until I got back home before unwrapping the package. It really exceeded my expectations...whilst the photos were good, to see and feel it in three dimensions was very exciting. A beatutful piece Chris, and worth the wait.

C C, Australia, 20.08.2010

more...