Original British Contract Model 1855 Greene Breech-Loading Carbine - Serial No. 37

Original Item: Only One Available. Extremely Rare – Only Approximately 200 Sold Out of 2,000 Produced. Serial number 37 is incredibly low!

The Greene Patent Breech-Loading Carbine has long held a special place among collectors of early military firearms. Produced in very limited numbers, nearly the entire documented production was destined for a British government contract, making surviving examples extremely scarce.

The design was the work of Lt. Colonel James D. Greene of Cambridge, Massachusetts, a Harvard graduate and inventive firearms designer. Greene patented his breechloading system on June 27, 1854 (U.S. Patent #11,157), followed later that year by a separate patent for a bolt-action rifle — the first of its type ever issued to the U.S. military.

Greene’s carbine design was distinctive, employing a hinged breech system locked by a rotating barrel with dual lugs set 180 degrees apart. A secondary trigger ahead of the firing trigger released the locking pin, allowing the breech and barrel assembly to rotate and swing open for loading. Though it may sound complex, the action was smooth and reliable in operation. When closed, a hollow firing cone ensured ignition by channeling the primer flash directly into the cartridge.

The carbine also featured the Maynard patent tape priming system, a mechanical primer advancement design adopted by the U.S. military in 1855. Each time the hammer was cocked, a fresh primer pellet from a varnished paper roll was advanced into place — an innovative feature shared by the Maynard and certain Sharps models of the period.

Following a successful 1854 demonstration before the U.S. Ordnance Department, Greene received an order for 200 carbines for extended testing. These early examples were produced by the Massachusetts Arms Company of Chicopee Falls, a firm also known for manufacturing Maynard carbines and Adams revolvers under British license.

Although testing continued into 1858, the U.S. government ultimately declined further orders, favoring other designs such as the Sharps. Undeterred, Greene sought overseas contracts, and through his association with Massachusetts Arms and their British partners, successfully secured a British War Department contract for 2,000 carbines, likely intended for use in the Crimean War. However, deliveries did not occur until 1858, after hostilities had ceased.

The British contract Greene carbines differed slightly from their American counterparts: they were iron-mounted rather than brass, and featured 18-inch barrels instead of 22-inch. British inspectors stationed in America marked these guns during production, applying distinctive (Crown) / A / # inspection marks, where “A” denoted “America.”

According to noted arms historians John McAuley and Dr. C.H. Rhoads, the carbines were never issued for combat use and remained in storage while suitable ammunition was sought. By 1862, official ordnance reports noted that 1,960 of the 2,000 produced were still in inventory. Later attempts to adapt ammunition for the Cape Mounted Rifles were unsuccessful, and most of the carbines were ultimately destroyed. Research suggests that only around 200 examples were ever sold out of British stores, making any surviving example today a significant rarity.

This particular British Contract Greene Carbine is in Near Fine condition and is 100% complete, correct, and original in every respect.

The lock plate is marked in three vertical lines:
MASS. ARMS CO / CHICOPEE FALLS / U.S.A. 1856
with the upper lines slightly shadowed from a double strike. The lock also bears a crisp (Crown) / V.R. marking, and the tape primer door is stamped in two arched lines:
MAYNARD’S PATENT / SEP. 22, 1845.

The tang shows the two-line legend:
GREENE’S PATENT / JUNE 27, 1854.

Serial number 37 appears on the bottom of flat of the 16-sided grasping portion of the barrel and corresponding frame components, all matching. British inspection and proof marks include both (CROWN) A/ 2 and (CROWN) A / 5 marks. The “crown” indicating British military inspectors, the “A” indicating “America” and the number being that of the individual inspector. A small “Crowned Broad Arrow” appears on the top flat of the 16-sided grasping portion of the barrel, directly in front of the rear sight, and behind the triggerguard. A (CROWN) A / 6 mark is present in the wood behind the triggerguard tang.

Mechanically, the carbine is excellent. The Maynard tape primer system operates perfectly, and the breech and locking mechanisms open and close smoothly. The case-hardened lock retains approximately 40% of its original color, with attractive mottling. The receiver retains much of its original blue finish, blending into a smooth, even gray patina. The barrel shows a rich, untouched brown oxidized finish, with light scattered pitting typical of well-preserved 19th-century arms.

The bore remains fine, shiny with strong rifling and almost no pitting. The original sights are intact, as are the carbine sling ring and mount behind the trigger guard. The walnut stock is solid and free of cracks or repairs, showing only the expected handling marks and dings from age.

Overall, this is a truly scarce and historically significant example of the British Contract Greene Patent Breech-Loading Carbine — one of the most intriguing transitional breechloaders of the mid-19th century. With only a small fraction of the original 2,000 carbines believed to have survived, this example represents a superb addition to any advanced collection of early military or American experimental firearms.

Specifications -
Year of Manufacture: 1856
Caliber: .577"
Cartridge Type: Paper Cartridge with Ball and Powder
Barrel Length: 18 Inches
Overall Length: 34 1/2 Inches
Action type: Percussion with Maynard Tape Primer Feed
Feed System: Breech Loading (Twist off barrel)