This is a very scarce example of one of the 800 Henry rifles purchased by the Ordnance Department in December 1863 from the New Haven Arms Company. These rifles were mostly issued to the 1st District of Columbia Cavalry Regiment which was utilized for provost duty in the District of Columbia under the direct control of Secretary of War Edwin Stanton. In early 1864 the 1st D.C. Cavalry's primary mission was to combat Confederate partisan rangers led by John S. Mosby operating in northern Virginia. The 800 Henry rifles in the 1st D.C. Cavalry contract are in the 3000-4000 serial number range are the only Henry rifles marked with Ordnance inspection marks on the stock and barrel. This rifle has the distinctive brass buttplate and receiver with 24-inch barrel and integral 15-shot magazine that identify standard production Henry rifles. The second style receiver introduced around serial number 3000 lacks the alternate rear sight dovetail found on Henry rifles manufactured in 1862 and 1863. The first pattern crescent buttplate, used until about serial number 5100, has a rounded heel. The barrel has a half moon, nickel silver, front sight blade and period replacement buckhorn rear sight. The magazine has a period replacement head. The rifle has a straight grain American walnut stock. The buttplate contains a four-piece, jointed, steel cleaning rod with brass tip. The left side of the stock and barrel, correctly, are not fitted with a sling swivel and sling loop which were special order features not included on most U.S. contract Henry rifles. The "C.G.C." initials of Ordnance Inspector Charles G. Chapman are stamped on the right barrel flat at the junction with the receiver. Chapman's script final inspection marks is not visible on the right stock wrist (this mark was stamped in a location that typically received handling wear and is rarely visible on U.S. contract Henry rifles). An "H" New Haven Arms sub-inspection mark is stamped on the barrel immediately below the "C.G.C." mark. Two "H" inspection marks are stamped on the right side of the receiver immediately behind the barrel markings. The top barrel flat is roll-stamped with the first style legend "HENRY'S PATENT. OCT. 16. 1860./MANUFACT'D BY THE NEWHAVEN ARMS.CO. NEWHAVEN. CT." in two lines ahead of the rear sight dovetail. This style address was utilized through the mid-late 3000 serial number range and had "NEWHAVEN" in the second line stamped in block letters. The serial number is stamped: (1) on the top barrel flat behind the rear sight, (2) on the lower left side of the receiver tang beneath the stock, (3) on the inside of the buttplate, and (4) on the shanks of both hand-fitted buttplate screws.

Good. The barrel and integral magazine are smooth with sharp edges; traces of the original blue finish remain in the protected areas with the balance having faded to an attractive, plum brown, patina. The original legend, serial number and inspection marks are all sharp. The brass receiver and buttplate are in good condition with an attractive aged patina. The receiver has scattered minor handling marks. The side plate joints are tight. The buttplate has some scattered age spotting with scattered handling marks. The hammer retains 25% of the original casehardened finish. The case colors on the lever have aged to a brown patina. The walnut stock is in good overall condition with moderate handling wear. There is a small chip in the lower right side of the wrist at the junction with the receiver and a hairline crack that extends from the end of the receiver tang about four inches toward the buttplate. The rear sight and magazine follower are well crafted period replacements. Surviving examples of the 800 government inspected Henry rifles issued to the 1st D.C. Cavalry are rare and typically display wear associated with combat use. This is a solid, original example of one of the most important and desirable Civil War firearms.