This "Type II" U.S. contract rifle was manufactured by the New Haven Arms Company in the closing month of the American Civil War, April 1865. The Ordnance Department ordered 600 rifles in April and May of 1865, and these rifles were issued to the 3rd U.S. Veteran Volunteer Infantry (VVI) regiment. The only Ordnance mark on the Type II rifles is the sub-inspection mark "AWM" stamped in small block letters on the left side of the stock wrist as seen on this example. Approximately 14,000 Henrys were manufactured in between 1860-1866, and around half of them are believed to have been used by Union soldiers, mostly purchased by the men themselves, some using reenlistment bonuses. The great majority of the Henry rifles show heavy use acquired throughout their service life and are generally found with little to no original finish. This is a solid U.S. contract example and is only two digits away from no. 9230, a Henry rifle documented as issued to the 3rd U.S. Veteran Volunteer Infantry (see Sword's "The Historic Henry Rifle," page 76). This rifle features the later style brass buttplate with pointed upper extension, front sight base without a blade, a folding ladder rear sight graduated to 900 yards, sling swivel on the left side of the buttstock, and loop for a sling hook on the left side of the barrel. The buttplate has a trapdoor, and the butt compartment holds a four-piece steel cleaning rod. The top barrel flat is marked with the two-line patent/address marking ahead of the rear sight and the serial number at the breech. The matching serial number appears on the barrel, left side of the lower tang, stock inlet, and buttplate. Provenance: The Collection of David L. DeLullo

Good. The barrel and magazine tube retain a smooth artificial brown patina overall. The loading sleeve retaining bracket screw head is partially absent. The brass has a highly attractive mellow aged patina. The receiver is very good has tight fitting sideplates. The heavily sanded and reoiled stock is also good with the buttplate being oversized. Mechanically fine. These highly desirable, historic U.S. contract New Haven Arms Co. Henry lever action rifles are missing from most Civil War U.S. military collections.