A Rare Warner Patent Rimfire Cavalry Carbine by Greene Rifle Works. 37” overall,
20” round .56-50 (Spencer Cartridge) barrel, three groove rifling, blade fore sight, leaf rear sight, stamped with London proofs, numbered 2951 on underside. Brass frame & breech block, breech numbered 2951 & stamped with London proofs, the action marked on the left 'GREENE RIFLE WORKS / WORCESTER MASS. / PAT'D 1864'. Two piece walnut stock, brass butt plate with (M.M) inspector’s mark, half fore-end secured by one spring retained band. Sling swivel on L/H side.
Circa 1865
In very good condition, very good bore.
The Warner carbines featured a Snider type hinged side swinging breech action, with a centre hammer. Greene carbines were purchased by the U.S. Ordnance of which approx. 1500 were supplied by the Massachusetts Arms Co. in 1864 and a further 2500 by the Greene Rifle works in February March 1865. They were issued to at least two regiments of cavalry, by 1870 at least 2500 were sold off as surplus to a noted New York arms dealer who resold them to France during the Franco-Prussian War. Many are known to have London proof marks which indicates they went through London at some point.