A New Haven Arms Company Henry Lever-Action Rifle manufactured in March-April 1865. This rifle, serial number 8778, is listed as one of the 127 Henry rifles in the 8400-9400 serial number range purchased by the Ordnance Department on May 16, 1865, and shipped from New Haven on May 23, 1865. These rifles were issued to Companies B, C, I, H and K of the 3d Regiment, U.S. Veteran Volunteer Infantry. This rifle is identified by serial number on page 26 of "The Historic Henry Rifle" by Wiley Sword. The 1st, 2nd and 3rd Veteran Volunteer Infantry were organized and recruited from veteran soldiers whose enlistment expired as an elite corps commanded by Major General Winfield Scott Hancock. These three regiments were armed with Sharps or Henry rifles. As an incentive to the volunteers, each member of the unit was allowed to keep his Henry or Sharps rifle on discharge from service. 637 new Henry Rifles were purchased to arm the 3rd Veteran Volunteer Infantry Regiment. An old label glued to the left side of the stock wrist reads: "WILLIAM S. LAMB/Co. D - 3rd Regt. Penna. Volunteers/June 4, 1861 - June 4, 1864". The rifle has the standard Henry finish with blued barrel and casehardened loading lever and hammer. The walnut stock has a low-luster varnished finish. The buttplate is the later Henry pattern with sharply pointed heel and internal screw reinforcements. The rifle is fitted with the extra-charge sling swivel on the left side of the butt and sling loop screwed to the left side of the barrel. The rifle has the original dove-tail mounted folding leaf rear sight graduated to 900 yards and a German silver front sight blade. The serial number, "8778." is roll-stamped of the top barrel flat between the rear sight and the receiver. "8778" is also stamped on the lower left side of the receiver tang, in the upper stock inlet and on the inside of the buttplate. All of the visible serial numbers match. The manufacturer's name and address: "HENRY'S PATENT.OCT.16.1860/MANUFACT'D. BY THE NEWHAVEN ARMS CO. NEWHAVEN. CT" is roll-stamped in two lines on the top barrel flat ahead of the rear sight. A small "H" factory inspection mark is stamped on the lower receiver tang behind the loading lever latch.