3080

GREENE BREECH LOADING BOLT ACTION RIFLE.

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:1,000.00 USD Estimated At:2,000.00 - 3,000.00 USD
GREENE BREECH LOADING BOLT ACTION RIFLE.

Cal. 53. S# 3055. This is the first bolt action firearm adopted by U.S. ordnance. Approx. 900 were supplied in March, 1853. Mechanism is very complex & cleaning must have been an awesome task. The bolt goes through 2 different motions in order to load the cartridge which is then fired by placing a percussion cap on a nipple & triggering an underhammer mechanism. This specimen has usual 35" rnd. bbl. w/ oval bore & fitted w/ long range ladder type rear & barley corn front sights, does not have inspector's markings. These were supposedly supplied to state militia units by William Read & Sons of Boston. The action is also blued & S# is on bottom of bolt. The top tang is marked "GREENE'S PATENT", "NOV. 17TH 1857". Walnut stock is held to bbl. & firing mechanism by 3 spring retained bands & mountings are iron. An Enfield type cleaning rod is present. CONDITION: fine to very fine, appears unfired. Metal parts retaining most of their original blue considerably browned & w/ some light scattered oxidation. Stock retains most of it's original finish w/ a lg. number of marks & dings. Bore is bright and shiny. PROVENANCE: From the Collection of James B. Taylor. (01-20550/MGM). ANTIQUE. $2,000-3,000.