June 9-10, 2017 Premier Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/10/2017
Made by the A.H. Waters Armory in Milbury, Massachusetts. 900 were bought by the U.S. Ordnance and delivered in 1863. Very small quantities appear to have been sold to state militias by the Boston firm of William Read & Sons and will be found without inspector markings. A total of 1,500 U.S. Models were manufactured. 3,000 were made and delivered to fill Russian contract, none of which are known, nor are details of their markings. Rifle features three bands, all stamped "U"; maker on tang. No visible inspector cartouche. No military inspector marks on base, nor any other place on right besides the bands, so this is probably one of the militia rifles sold by Read. All metal is a brown patina. Wood is very good with no cracks or major chips, just usual dings. Comes with a rare original bayonet. Clean bore. Original cleaning rod. The Greene also required the loading of two bullets, one of which served as a gas seal. In the initial loading sequence, a bullet was inserted, followed by a powder charge, then a second bullet. The first bullet actually left the muzzle when the rifle was discharged, while the second remained in the breech to prevent propellant gasses from escaping. When the rifle was re-loaded, this bullet was advanced into the bore, followed by a powder charge and a new "gas seal" bullet. The process would be continually repeated; thus each bullet saw dual use - first as a breech gas seal, and next as a projectile on the subsequent shot. Extremely scarce, never seen low production U.S. Civil War era military musket in all original, untouched attic condition. CORRECTION: This lot is complete with an original, very scarce Green socket bayonet.
Manufacturer
A.H. Waters Armory