Item Description
Original Item: Only One Available. According to David Harding wonderful work:- SMALL ARMS OF THE EAST INDIA COMPANY, 1600-1856 Volume TWO, pages 497/498, this percussion carbine was manufactured by W. Greener circa 1851 for "Skinner's Horse", part of the 1st. BENGAL IRREGULAR CAVALRY. Our example, as illustrated in Harding's book, is marked W. GREENER on the lock plate and W. GREENER, LONDON on the barrel. On the barrel by the rear sight it is also marked with 15 / MIC / 1185. This most likely is the regimental designation within the "Madras Irregular Cavalry" or something to that effect. Removal of the barrel would most likely show additional markings.
The 38 ¼ inch long carbine has a 22 inch barrel with a swivel ramrod, and a saddle bar to the left side with a saddle ring and all brass mounts. This would have started life as .65 rifled carbine, however the barrel has been "smooth bored" to .75 caliber for use AFTER the Sepoy Rebellion, more commonly known as the Indian Mutiny of 1857 to 1859.
This came to us from our Nepalese Palace purchase of 2003, but bears no Nepalese or Indian script markings whatsoever. The carbine is in good condition, though does show age. The tumbler is worn, so the lock will fire at half cock with a strong trigger pull.
All Irregular Cavalry Carbines are rare but only 580 of these were these Greener Carbines were manufactured and delivered in 20 cases on the East Indiaman "KENT" and 21 cases on the "MONARCH" via Culcutta and were shipped via Allahabad to the unit at Lahore, all according to David Harding.
Included in the 55,000 firearms purchased in the Nepalese purchase only three of these were found. This example was recently re-acquired from the estate of a long-time IMA customer. Fully cleaned and ready to display!
Specifications:
Year of Manufacture: circa 1851
Caliber: .75 inches
Ammunition Type: Lead Ball & Powder with Percussion Cap
Barrel Length: 22 inches
Overall Length: 38 ¼ inches
Action: Side Action Percussion
Feed System: Muzzle-Loaded
NOTE: International orders of antique firearms MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services (courier). USPS Priority Mail international will not accept these. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.
- This product is available for international shipping.
IMA considers all of our antique guns as non-firing, inoperable and/or inert. Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 921(a)(16) defines antique firearms as all guns made prior to 1899. This law exempts antique firearms from any form of gun control or special engineering because they are not legally considered firearms. No FFL, C&R or any license is required to possess, transport, sell or trade Antique guns. All rifles and muskets sold by IMA that were manufactured prior to 1899 are considered Antiques by the US BATF (United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms). Therefore, all of IMA's Antique guns may be shipped to all US States and most nations around the world.
These antique guns are not sold in "live" condition, and are not tested for the the ability to feed or load any type of cartridge. They are sold as collector's items or as "wall hangers" not for use, and we make no guarantees regarding functionality aside from what is stated in the description. Any attempt at restoring an antique gun to be operational is strongly discouraged and is done so at the risk of the customer. By purchasing an antique gun from IMA you thereby release IMA, its employees and corporate officers from any and all liability associated with use of our Antique guns.
Pre-1899 Manufacture, no licenses required, allowed to ship to almost any deliverable address across the globe. Please note that for international shipping, these MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.
- Not eligible for payment with Paypal or Amazon