Lot 1231:Martially Inspected First U.S. Contract Civil War Henry Rifle

May 18th, 2024|Bedford, TX

Lot 1231:Martially Inspected First U.S. Contract Civil War Henry Rifle

May 18th, 2024|Bedford, TX

Price Realized:

Estimated Price$35,000 - $55,000

Highly Desirable Martially Inspected First U.S. Contract Civil War New Haven Arms Company Henry Lever Action Rifle

This Henry lever action rifle was manufactured by the New Haven Arms Co., in 1863. This rifle is one of the 800 Henry rifles purchased by the Ordnance Department on December 30, 1863 to arm the 1st D.C. Cavalry regiment. The 1st D.C. Cavalry was the only Federal unit entirely armed with Henry rifles during the Civil War. Commanded by politically connected Col. Lafayette Baker, the 1st D.C. Cavalry initially served on provost duty in the District of Columbia under the direct orders of Secretary of War Edwin Stanton and was assigned to combat Confederate partisan rangers operating in Northern Virginia. In May 1864, the regiment was reassigned to the Department of Virginia and saw action in operations around Richmond and Petersburg. The 1st D.C Cavalry was present when the Army of Northern Virginia surrendered at Appomattox Court House on April 9, 1865. During these battles a significant number of Henry rifles were captured or lost in action. Some captured 1st D.C. Cavalry Henry rifles were apparently used by the body guard of Confederate President Jefferson Davis when he fled Richmond during the last days of the Civil War. The 800 Henry rifles purchased for the 1st D.C. Cavalry under the December 30, 1863 contract are the only Henry rifles fully marked with Ordnance final inspection and sub-inspection marks. Although the Ordnance Department purchased an additional 627 Henry rifles in April and May 1865 to arm the 3rd U.S. Veteran Volunteer Infantry regiment, the 1865 contract rifles did not have Ordnance inspection marks and saw no action in the Civil War. This rifle has all of the features found on the 1863 production rifles purchased for the 1st D.C. Cavalry. The barrel and integral 15-shot magazine have a the second style front sight with nickel-silver square back blade and third pattern folding leaf rear sight with "900" yard marking below the sight notch on the top of the leaf. The magazine has the second pattern, large, brass follower and the follower slot on the bottom of the receiver has milled flats to accept the larger follower. The distinctive brass receiver is the second pattern introduced about serial number 3100 that lacks the alternate rear sight dove-tail. The first style buttplate has a rounded heel and hinged brass butt-trap door. The stock is correctly not fitted with a sling swivel and the left side of the barrel lacks the screw-fastened loop for a sling hook (most 1st D.C. Henry rifles were not fitted with sling swivels and loops which were special order items; the rifles were carried in a leather scabbard manufactured by the Washington Arsenal specifically for the 1st D.C. Cavalry). The top barrel flat is roll-stamped with the correct, first style legend: "HENRY'S PATENT. OCT. 16. 1860./MANUFACT'D BY THE NEWHAVEN ARMS.CO. NEWHAVEN. CT.". The two line legend has serifed (Roman) letters for all the markings except the second "NEWHAVEN" which is stamped in non-serifed (Gothic) letters and is approximately 2-17/32 inches long. The second style marking introduced in the late 3000 serial number range is larger and has all serifed letters. The right barrel flat is stamped with the "C.G.C" initials of Ordnance Sub-Inspector Charles G. Chapman. An Ordnance final inspection mark consisting of the script initials "CGC" with an oval border is visible on the right side of the stock wrist. A single "C" sub-inspection mark is stamped between the receiver and the "C.G.C.." mark on the right side of the barrel and two "C" sub-inspection marks are stamped on the right side of the receiver adjacent to the barrel markings. "C" sub-inspection marks are also stamped on the right side of the buttplate heel and on the right side of the stock neat to the buttplate. The rifle serial number is stamped: (1) on the top barrel flat between the rear sight and the receiver, (2) on the lower left side of the receiver tang, (3) in the upper tang inlet of the stock, (4) on the inside of the buttplate heel and (5) on the shanks of both the hand-fitted buttplate screws. All of the visible serial numbers match. The tang screws are typically not serial numbered on Henry rifles above serial number 3100. Provenance: The Joe Marlin Hilliard Collection

ConditionVery good plus. The rifle is all original and has all of the correct markings and features found on the 800 U.S. Contract Henry rifles purchased to arm the 1st D.C. Cavalry. The rifle shows wear consistent with a weapon that was issued and saw combat. Traces of original blue finish remain on the barrel/magazine with the balance a gray-brown patina visible with sharp edges and crisp legend, serial number and inspection marks. There are a number of old dents and what appear to be vice marks on both sides of the forward swiveling barrel extension. The left barrel flat has some similar marks below the rear sight. The front and rear sights appear to be original to the rifle. The receiver and buttplate are fine and have an attractive, untouched, patina. There are several small dents visible on the top of the right side of the receiver and sideplate. The sideplate joints are tight. The buttplate has a few minor scratches and some scattered patches of age discoloration. Traces of the original casehardened finish are present on the sides of the hammer. The case colors on the lever have faded to a brown patina. The stock is in very good condition with moderate handling wear. The "C.G.C." inspection mark on the right side of the stock wrist is faint but visible. The stock has a number of light dents and scratches which are typical of a military firearm carried on horseback. There is a eight-inch hair-line horizontal crack running from the buttplate toward the comb on the left side of the stock and a second one-inch hairline crack on the lower right side of the stock at the buttplate. These cracks do not detract from the appearance of the rifle or effect the integrity of the stock. The action functions perfectly. This is a fine example of a scarce 1st D.C. Cavalry Henry rifle!

Details

ManufacturerNew Haven Arms Co.

ModelHenry Rifle

TypeRifle

Serial number

ClassAntique

Caliber / Gauge44 Henry RF

Barrel24 inch

Finishblue

Stockwalnut

Item LocationBedford, TX