Manufactured by Remington on contract for the French government in 1915 during the early stages of World War I, with some purchased by the U.S. government for training purposes and also to equip some of the all-black American regiments that fought alongside the French overseas; with this rifle being attributed as previously belonging to none other than the decorated war hero Sergeant Henry Johnson, AKA "Black Death." The rifle is accompanied by an old paper hang tag with handwritten notes as follows: "Sgt. Henry Johnson's Remington Lebel 07/15, VFW SN: 78. Given Albany, NY VFW Post by family. Enlisted June 5, 1917, 369th Inf. Regt. Loaned to 161st Division of French. French army assigned Johnson regt. to Outpost 20 on edge of Argonne Forest in Champagne region of France, and equipped them with French rifles and helmets. 4 major campaigns. Croix de Guerre." Consignor notes state: "VFW Post 330 Clinton Ave, Albany NY went out of business, the last man had entire contents of war souvenirs and I bought the entire collection, 65-70 rifles plus accessories and ammo." Sergeant Henry Johnson, a former rail station porter from Albany, New York, served one tour of duty under the rank of private on the western edge of the Argonne Forest between 1918-1919 with the all-black 369th Infantry Regiment, originally formed as the 15th New York National Guard Regiment, and commonly referred to as the "Harlem Hellfighters." Henry Johnson earned widespread acclaim for his extraordinary feats in combat in France, leading to his well earned nickname "Black Death." In May of 1918, Johnson and his comrade Private Needham Roberts repelled a 24-man German patrol, in which Johnson directed Roberts to alert the French units about the approaching enemy, but Roberts attempt was stifled due to being under heavy enemy gunfire. They fought together until a German grenade knocked Roberts unconscious. Undeterred, Johnson maintained the defensive line and shielded his comrade. With depleted ammunition, Johnson engaged the enemy using grenades, his rifle butt (unknown if it was this rifle) and a bolo knife. Reports suggest Johnson killed at least 4 German soldiers and wounded approximately 30 more, enduring 21 combat injuries himself. For his valor on the battlefield, Sergeant Henry Johnson became the first American to be awarded the French Croix de Guerre avec Palme, France's highest award. Henry Johnson lived until 1929, and was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart in 1996, the Distinguished Service Cross in 2002, and the Medal of Honor in 2015 for his bravery during the war. "78" and "Remington MLE 1907-15" marked on the left side of the receiver, "RAC 1907-15" on the right breech area of the barrel, and "78" repeated on the bottom of the stock behind the trigger guard. Smooth straight grip stock with grasping grooves, sling ring mounted on the left of the rear barrel band, sling swivel on the underside of the buttstock, and a smooth metal buttplate. Includes a cruciform spike bayonet, metal scabbard with brown leather frog, and a brown leather sling.

Very fine, retains 85% original blue finish with some finish loss at the muzzle, rear sight and barrel bands, and some brown surface freckling on the bright bolt. Stock is also very fine with scattered dents and scratches, and defined edges. Mechanically excellent. Bayonet and scabbard are fine. This Remington 1907-15 rifle, attributed to "Black Death" Henry Johnson, would make an excellent addition to any U.S. military arms collection!