Greene Rifle
A. H. Waters & Co. · Rifle · Out Of Production · 1859
Also known as: Greene's Patent Rifle, Greene Bolt Action Rifle, Greene Underhammer Rifle
Overview
The Greene Rifle is a single-shot, breech-loading, underhammer bolt-action percussion rifle patented in 1857 by Lt. Col. James Durrell Greene of the U.S. Army. The first bolt-action rifle adopted by the United States, it used a two-piece bolt with an integral ramrod and fired a combustible paper cartridge of roughly .53 caliber through an oval Lancaster-type bore. Its distinctive dual-bullet loading placed a second projectile ahead of the powder charge to act as a gas seal. Some 4,000 were built by A. H. Waters of Millbury, Massachusetts, around 900 for a U.S. contract and 3,000 for Imperial Russia, and a small number saw use during the American Civil War.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 4500 g (158.7 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1340 mm (52.76") |
| Barrel Length | 889 mm (35.00") |
| Action Type | Bolt Action |
| Firing Mechanism | Percussion |
| Trigger Type | Single Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 1 rounds |
| Magazine Type | None |
| Muzzle Velocity | 290 m/s (951 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 980 J (723 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 200 m (219 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 800 m (875 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Oval Bore |
| Number of Grooves | 0 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Walnut |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- .53 Greene · primary — also known as .53 caliber, .54 caliber Greene, Greene paper cartridge
Features
- Firing modes: Repeating
- Feed systems: Single Shot Breech Loading
- Features: Underhammer Action, Two Piece Bolt, Oval Lancaster Bore, Integral Ramrod In Bolt, Dual Bullet Gas Seal
Service history
Operators
- United States Army · adopted 1859
- Imperial Russian Army
Conflicts
- American Civil War (1861-1865)
Production
Estimated total produced: 4,000 · Production years: 1859-1860
Approximately 900 produced under U.S. contract and 3,000 for an Imperial Russian contract; built by A. H. Waters of Millbury, Massachusetts.
Origin
Country of origin: United States
Designer: James Durrell Greene
Discontinued: 1860
Notes
The underhammer percussion design was prone to caps falling off the inverted nipple in the field, which limited its combat reliability and discouraged further U.S. military orders.
Background
The Greene Rifle holds the distinction of being the first bolt-action rifle adopted by the United States Army, predating the more famous designs of the late 19th century by decades. Its oval-bore rifling was licensed from Charles Lancaster of London.