3041

Fine U.S. Contract New Haven Arms Henry Lever Action Rifle

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:10,000.00 USD Estimated At:NA
Fine U.S. Contract New Haven Arms Henry Lever Action Rifle
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Estimate: $25000 - 40000
This is a fine Henry rifle that was manufactured in November 1863 by the New Haven Arms Co., and purchased by the Ordnance Department on December 31, 1863 as part of a 800 rifle order for rifles to arm the 1st District of Columbia Cavalry regiment. The 1st D.C. Cavalry was raised in December 1863 for "special services in the District of Columbia subject only to the orders of the War Department" and initially performed provost marshal duties at the direction of Secretary of War Edward M. Stanton. In April 1864, the regiment was assigned to Kautz's Cavalry Division, Department of Virginia and North Carolina. The 1st D.C. Cavalry fought in most of the significant cavalry actions around Richmond, Virginia, during 1864. The 1st D.C. Cavalry suffered heavy casualties at Stoney Creek, Virginia, on June 24, 1864 and at Sycamore Church, Virginia, on September 15, 1864. A number of Henry rifles were lost in these actions and some of these rifles were subsequently re-issued by Confederate forces. On August 27, 1867, seven companies of the 1st D.C. cavalry were transferred to the 1st Maine Cavalry regiment and the remaining companies were reorganized into a two-company battalion. Both the 1st Maine Cavalry and the 1st D.C. Cavalry fought in the Appomattox campaign which led to the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia at Appomattox Court House on April 9, 1865. The 1st D.C. Cavalry was the only federal unit in the Civil War that was entirely equipped with Henry rifles. The 800 Henry rifles procured for issue to the 1st D.C. Cavalry were the only Henry rifles with Ordnance inspection and sub-inspection marks on the stocks and barrels. Some of the Henry rifles purchased for issue to the 1st D.C. Cavalry were subsequently re-issued to five companies of the 3rd U.S. Veteran Volunteer Infantry (VVI) regiment in 1865. The 3rd VVI was equipped with a mixture of Sharps, Spencer and Henry rifles and the Civil War ended before the regiment saw action. This rifle is a typical mid-production Henry rifle with blued barrel, case-hardened hammer and loading lever and brass receiver and buttplate. The receiver lacks the rear sight dovetail found on Henry rifles up to serial number 3000 and has the early pattern buttplate with rounded heel. The barrel has the later style, square back, nickel-silver front sight blade and folding leaf rear sight with 900 yard center notch. The walnut stock has a factory sling swivel mounted on the left side. A factory loop for sling hook is attached to the left side of the barrel. The butt trap contains the four-piece, hickory cleaning rod issued with early and mid-production Henry rifles. The top barrel flat is roll-stamped with the two-line legend: "HENRY'S PATENT. OCT. 16. 1860/ MANUFACT'D BY THE NEWHAVEN ARMS, CO. NEWHAVEN. CT." ahead of the rear sight. The serial number, "3526", is stamped on the top barrel flat between the rear sight and the receiver. The initials of ordnance Sub-Inspector, Charles G. Chapman ("C.G.C.") are stamped on the right side of the barrel immediately ahead of the receiver (the stamps are smaller than normally encountered). A large "C" is stamped on the left side of the barrel just ahead of the receiver; the significance of this mark is unknown. The front edge of the right side of the frame is stamped with the New Haven Arms "H" sub-inspection mark of B. Tyler Henry followed by a "C" sub-inspection mark. "C" sub-inspection marks are visible on the left side of the buttplate heel and the left side of the stock below the buttplate. The oval, script "CGC" Ordnance final inspection mark stamped on the right stock wrist is no longer visible. The serial number, "3526" is stamped on the inside of the buttplate and on the shanks of both buttplate screws. Serial number "3526" is also stamped on the left side of the lower receiver tang and in the upper tang inlet of the stock. The tang screws are, correctly, not serial numbered. All of the visible serial numbers match.
BBL: 24 inch
Stock: walnut
Gauge: 44 Henry RF
Finish: blue
Grips:
Serial Number: 3526
Condition: Fine. U.S. Contract Henry rifles were desirable weapons that were issued and typically saw heavy use both during and after the Civil War. This rifle shows light handling wear in fine condition for a U.S. Henry rifle. The barrel has traces of bright blue, with the balance a smooth, silver-gray, patina with sharp edges. The brass receiver and buttplate are un-polished and have a very attractive, mellow, mustard patina that is only acquired with age. The receiver is in very fine condition and shows only light to moderate handling wear. The side plate joints are tight and wear is limited to some minor dents along the upper edges. The hammer and loading lever have a smooth brown patina with traces of the original case colors. The barrel has a bright bore which is unusual for a Civil War Henry rifle. The stock is in very good condition. The stock has scattered shallow dents and minor handling marks that are typical of military rifles that saw service in the field. The barrel legend, serial numbers and inspection marks on the barrel, receiver and buttplate are crisp. This is a unique example of a U.S. Contract Henry rifle in the right serial range, but having some small differences such as the smaller "C.G.C." inspector stamps and the large "C" stamp on the left side of barrel. Nonetheless, it is a fine Henry rifle and will compliment any collection.