This fantastic Civil War Henry lever action rifle was manufactured by the New Haven Arms Co. in c. March 1865 and falls within the same range as the rifles purchased by the U.S. Government for the 3rd Veteran Volunteer Infantry. It has the later production features and has a squareback German silver blade front sight, notch and folding ladder rear sight with 900 yard top notch, no alternate rear sight dovetail on the frame, "HENRY'S PATENT. OCT. 16. 1860/MANUFACT'D BY THE NEWHAVEN ARMS CO. NEWHAVEN CT." stamped ahead of the rear sight, "8636." stamped behind the rear sight, the large diameter brass follower with beveled follower cut in the receiver, "&" on the lower tang, buttplate with sharply pointed heel, takedown steel cleaning rod in the buttstock compartment, and the standard sling swivel and screw mounted sling loop on the left side of the stock and barrel respectively. A "JT" U.S. inspector stamp is visible on the left top side of the wrist. The frame and buttplate feature primarily floral and scroll engraving patterns along with a banner design on the right side plate and Columbia's shield and pair of Union flags on the left side plate. The engraving style on this Henry and others associated with the 3rd Veteran Volunteer Infantry has been attributed to Lewis Reibrecht of Company B. He was born in Germany in 1839 and is believed to have arrived in the U.S. shortly before the Civil War. He served as a musician in Company B of the 27th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. He enlisted in the 3rd U.S. Veteran Volunteer Infantry on March 29, 1865. At that time, his "Volunteer Enlistment form" listed his occupation as an "engraver." He and the rest of Company B were stationed at Camp Butler in Illinois and then Camp Randall in Wisconsin. They remained at the latter until March 1866. He later worked as a jeweler and engraver in Newark, New Jersey, until his death in 1904. The patterns, particularly on the sideplates, are very similar to Henry #7594 sold by Rock Island Auction Co. in August 2022 for $55,813. That rifle was documented as issued to George Bemfor of Company B. Reibrecht's own engraved Henry, #7419, was sold at Rock Island Auction in April 2013 for $74,750. "The Historic Henry Rifle" by Wiley Sword also identifies other rifles issued to the 3rd Veteran Volunteer Infantry, including close serial numbers #8634, 8635, and 8639. Until 2015, this historic Henry rifle had its incredibly rare dust cover present. The cover was engraved in the same style as the rifle and was inscribed "Chr KrauSs." The cover was tragically lost, but it identified the rifle's original owner: Christian Krauss (also spelled "Krouse" or "Krause" in some records), a private in Company F of the 3rd Regiment U.S. Veteran Volunteer Infantry who previously served in Company A of the 4th New Jersey Infantry. The 4th was originally raised for 90 days service on April 27, 1861, and then was reorganized to serve for three years on August 19, 1861. During the war, the regiment saw extensive service in the East and lost 266 men, including 5 officers and 156 enlisted men killed or mortally wounded. Colonel Simpson and 400 of the men were captured at the Battle of Gaines Mill on June 27, 1862, but they were freed and back to fighting after the Seven Days battles, including at the Battle of Antietam on September 16-17, 1862, and Krauss is listed as discharged from the 4th on March 21, 1863.

Exceptionally fine with 50% plus original blue finish remaining on the barrel along with some smooth gray and brown patina and minor oxidation, attractive aged patina on the very fine crisp frame and furniture, 50% original case colors on the hammer, crisp engraving and markings, and mild age and storage related wear overall. The stock is very fine and has mild scratches and dings, a distinct "Henry bump" under the sling swivel on the left, and general minor wear for a Civil War Henry. Mechanically excellent. The rifle does not appear to have seen much use and is certainly one of the finest engraved Henry rifles from the U.S. 3rd Veteran Volunteer Infantry.