Henry lever action rifle manufactured by the New Haven Arms Co. in January 1865 and issued to 3rd U.S. Veteran Volunteer Infantry Regiment (3rd VVI). This rifle is one of 627 Henry rifles purchased by the Ordnance Department in 1865. It is identified by serial number as a 3rd VVI rifle on page 76 of "THE HISTORIC HENRY RIFLE" by Wiley Sword. The 3rd VVI rifles were part of a group of Henry, Sharps and Spencer rifles purchased by the Ordnance Department to arm the four Veteran Volunteer Infantry (VVI) regiments raised in early 1865. The VVI regiments were composed of veteran soldiers armed with the most advanced firearms who would act as a corps of elite infantry. As an incentive for enlistment, the VVI soldiers were authorized to retain their rifles when they mustered out of service. The VVI regiments were organized too late to see any significant action in the Civil War. The 3rd VVI was mustered out of Federal service at Camp Butler, Illinois, in July 1866. Unlike the 900 Henry rifles purchased in December 1863 to arm the 1st D.C. Cavalry regiment which were stamped with "C.G.C." Ordnance inspection marks on the receiver and stock, most of the Henry rifles purchased for the 3rd VVI in 1865 did not have government inspection marks. However a few rifles, like this example, have been noted with the small block letters "JT" stamped on the left side of the stock wrist. As Quick's book states on Page 142, "JT" is one of the two variations of inspector initials. This rifle has the distinctive Henry brass receiver and buttplate and octagon barrel with integral 15-shot magazine. The barrel is blue, the hammer, trigger and lever are casehardened and the stock is straight grain American walnut. The rifle has the Second Style receiver without rear sight dovetail, late buttplate with sharply pointed heel, large diameter brass magazine follower and beveled follower cut in the receiver. The folding leaf rear sight is the final pattern with an elevator bar stop screw in the top of the leaf. The left side of the stock and barrel are fitted with a sling swivel and screw fastened loop for a sling hook. Although sling swivels and loops were special order items on early Henry rifles, they were standard features on late production rifles. The top of the barrel is roll stamped with the large Second Style legend "HENRY'S PATENT OCT. 16. 1860/MANUFACT'D BY THE NEW HAVEN ARMS CO. NEWHAVEN CT." that uses all serif (Roman) letters. The serial number matching "7854" is stamped on the top of the barrel between the rear sight and the receiver and on the left side of the lower receiver tang, in the upper tang inlet of the stock and on the inside of the buttplate at the toe. The late style cap head buttplate and tang screws are correctly not serial numbered. All of the visible serial numbers match. The butt trap contains the Second Style, four piece, jointed steel cleaning rod with brass tip that was issued with later production Henry rifles.

Very good plus. The rifle is all original, retains traces of the original blue finish and shows limited service related wear. The barrel has an attractive, deep brown patina with smooth surfaces and sharp edges. The New Haven Arms legend and serial number are sharp. The front and rear sight are original to the rifle. The brass receiver and buttplate are in very good condition and have a mellow, un-polished, patina. The side-plate joints are tight. The stock is in very fine condition. Wear is limited to a few shallow scratches and handling marks concentrated mostly on the left side. The "JT" mark on the left stock wrist is very faint but visible. This is a superior example of one of the 627 late production Henry rifles purchased by the Ordnance Department to arm the 3rd VVI Regiment.