.54 caliber. 18" barrel. NSN. Blued and color casehardens finish, iron furniture including patchbox, walnut buttstock. Single shot breechloading percussion ignition carbine with trigger release twist open action and Maynard automatic priming lock mechanism. Equipped with military ladder rear sight similar to the Smith carbine, front sight blade on base and a sling ring in the toe of stock. Back action lock with Mass Arms manufacturing markings and English {CROWN} over VR, primer magazine door with patent information. Patent information on upper tang. British military sold out of service opposed {Broad Arrow} marks on reverse of receiver, British military {CROWN}/A2 and {CROWN}/A5 inspection marks on barrel and receiver. Roughly 2,000 of these carbines designed by James Durrell Greene were produced by the Massachusetts Arms Company and sold to the British military circa 1855-1857. The guns saw limited use due to issues with the ammunition and many were eventually destroyed or sold as surplus. A fairly scarce carbine that is usually considered a secondary Civil War carbine, as it appears some may have been repurchased for use in the US after the British decided to surplus the carbines. {ANTIQUE}