This Henry lever action rifle was manufactured by the New Haven Arms Company for the U.S. Ordnance Department in 1865. In April-May 1865, the Ordnance Department purchased 627 Henry lever action rifles from the New Haven Arms Co. These late production U.S. contract rifles are generally referred to as "Type II" rifles to distinguish them from the 800 U.S. contract Henry rifles purchased in 1863 to arm the 1st D.C. Cavalry Regiment. Most of the Henry rifles issued to the 1st D.C. Cavalry have Ordnance sub-inspection marks on the barrel, receiver and left side of the stock wrist. The only Ordnance mark on the later Type II rifles is the sub-inspection mark "AWM" stamped in small block letters on the left side of the stock wrist. The Type II Henry rifles were issued to the 3rd U.S. Veteran Volunteer Infantry (VVI) regiment. The serial number of this rifle falls within the serial number range of 8400-9400 listed by Wiley Sword on page 74 of "The Historic Henry Rifle" as issued to the 3rd VVI in 1865. The 3rd VVI was one of nine Veteran Volunteer regiments recruited in early 1865 to serve as an elite corps of experienced infantry. The VVI regiments were issued Sharps, Spencer or Henry rifles. As an enlistment incentive, VVI soldiers were allowed to retain their rifles on discharge. The 3rd VVI was organized in February 1865 at Camp Stoneman, District of Columbia, and was stationed in the Shenandoah Valley and Washington defenses before it was mustered out of service at Camp Butler, Illinois, in July 1866. This rifle has a blue barrel and integral magazine and the distinctive Henry brass, gunmetal receiver and crescent buttplate. The hammer and lever are color casehardened. The barrel has the late nickel-silver squareback front sight blade and dovetail mounted folding leaf rear sight. The rear sight has a 900 yard center notch and elevator bar retaining screw at the top of the leaf. The rifle has the later large brass magazine follower and beveled follower cut-out in the bottom of the receiver. The receiver lacks the rear sight dovetail found on early production Henry rifles. The brass buttplate is the second pattern with sharply pointed heel. The buttplate has a hinged trap door. The straight grain black walnut stock has a varnished finish. The left side of the stock has a factory sling swivel and the left side of the barrel has a factory screw-fastened loop for a sling hook. Sling swivels were standard features on Type II U.S. Henry rifles. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped with the late style larger two-line legend "HENRY'S PATENT.OCT.16.1860./MANUFACT'D. BY THE NEWHAVEN ARMS.CO.NEWHAVEN.CT." using all serif letters. The serial number is stamped on the top of the barrel behind the rear sight, on the left side of the lower receiver tang, inside of the upper tang inlet of the stock and on the inside of the buttplate below the trap door. All of the visible serial numbers match. The buttplate and receiver have the late style cap screws which are correctly not stamped with the rifle serial number. Matching assembly numbers are stamped on the barrel under the loading sleeve and on the rear face of the loading sleeve. The "W" sub-inspection mark of Oliver Winchester is stamped on the lower tang behind the lever latch. Experts believe that a majority of the Henry rifles manufactured between 1862-65 were privately purchased by individual Federal soldiers for service in the Civil War. However, Ordnance Department purchases of Henry rifles totaled only 1,731 rifles. Virtually all of these rifles were issued to either the 1st D.C. Cavalry or the 3rd VVI. Surviving examples of the limited number of U.S. contract are scarce. Provenance: The Joe Marlin Hilliard Collection

Very good. The barrel has a brown patina over light pitting with sharp edges and smooth metal surfaces. The barrel legend and serial number are crisp. The folding leaf rear sight is original to the rifle and in very fine condition. The brass receiver and crescent buttplate have a good-looking, un-polished patina and are in very good condition. The side plate joints are tight. The receiver and buttplate show minimal handling wear. Handling wear is limited to a small area of discoloration on the top of the receiver behind the ejection port. The hammer and lever have a brown patina with traces of the dove-gray case colors. The stock is very good; wear is limited to scattered minor handling marks, primarily on the left side of the stock and wrist. The tiny "AWM" inspection mark is legible. This is a solid example of a U.S. contract Henry rifle. These U.S. contract Henry rifles are a key component of any advanced Civil War or U.S. martial arm collection.