Shortened Greene's Patent Oval Bore Bolt Action Percussion Rifle

American Civil War

.52 caliber. 26.5" barrel secured by two flat spring retained barrel bands. SN: 4539. Blued finish, iron furniture, walnut stock. Single shot breechloading bolt action percussion underhammer military rifle with Lancaster's patent "oval bore" mechanical rifling that appears to be smooth but has very minor differences in the diameter of the major and minor axis of the bore. Rifle has been shortened to carbine length a very long time ago. The barrel has been shortened about 8.5" and the forend cut back appropriately, with the front sight reset and the upper barrel band removed. It retains the Enfield style military ladder rear sight, a musket style base and blade front sight, both sling swivels and a shortened trumpet head cleaning rod that is not the correct pattern. The butt trap does not retain the cleaning tool, but two lead bullets are inside, a flat bass three-ring elongated ball and a round ball. Both are nominally .53 caliber. Standard Greene markings on the upper receiver tang. The Greene rifle holds the distinction of being the first bolt action rifle to be purchased by the US Ordnance Department, with 900 being delivered in March of 1863, a smaller number were acquired by various militia regiments early in the Civil War and some 3,000 were sold to the Russians. Total production was about 4,500 circa 1859 to 1863.

This lot is located in Cincinnati.