Low numbered, Massachusetts Arms, Greene’s Patent, British Contract carbine s/n 5 manufactured circa 1856 with heavy 20 inch rifled barrel, .55 calibre marked “RDMR” for the Royal Devon Mounted Rifles.

The barrel is rifled with three grooves and sixteen sided hand grasp section, block and blade front sight and small carbine pattern ladder-sight to 600 yards. The barrel bears the crown over “A2” stamped for the War Department American inspectorate, back-action lock incorporating Maynard tape primer, marked with the Crown over V.R. cypher to the centre and signed by the maker “MASS. ARMS CO. / CHICOPEE FALLS / USA 1856” on the tail, the primer cover marked “MAYNARD’S PATENT”, iron mounted one-piece walnut stock with butt-plate stamped “RDMR / G / 172” for the Royal Devon Mounted Rifles G company gun no. 17, together with a 1^st class storekeepers stamp, case colours to lock and fading blue to barrel. Only about 2,000 manufactured circa 1855-1857 for the Crimean War.