A RARE U.S. .53 GREENE PATENT BREECH-LOADING PERCUSSION UNDER-HAMMER OVAL-BORE SERVICE RIFLE, Ci

A RARE U.S. .53 GREENE PATENT BREECH-LOADING PERCUSSION UNDER-HAMMER OVAL-BORE SERVICE RIFLE, Circa 1860, with 36in. blued barrel sighted to 800 yards and retained by three spring-held barrel-bands, blued receiver and tang, the latter with bolt-release button and marked 'GREENE'S PATENT / NOV. 17. 1857', walnut three-quarter stock, blued trigger-guard, ring under-hammer, iron sling mounts, iron cleaning rod, and much original faded finish, together with a socket bayonet with 18in. blade of triangular section, the forte marked 'J.D.G.'. (2) @Footnote: Other Notes: Approximately 4,500 of these rifles were made by A.H. Waters Armory, Massachusetts from 1859 until the early 1860s. 1,500 of the rifles were sold in the U.S., 900 of these being purchased by U.S. Ordnance. The remaining 3,000 fulfilled a Russian government contract.