Offered here is an 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 issued to the 1st District of Columbia Cavalry Regiment (1st D.C. Cavalry). The 1st D.C. Cavalry 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 was assigned to combat Confederate partisan rangers led by Col. 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. These are the only Henry rifles marked with Ordnance inspection marks. 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 blade front sight, folding ladder rear sight graduated to 1,000 and the two-line Henry's patent/address ahead of the rear sight. The "C.G.C." initials of Ordnance Inspector Charles G. Chapman are stamped on the right barrel flat at the junction with the receiver. The left side of the stock and barrel are correctly not fitted with a sling swivel and sling loop which were special order features not included on most U.S. contract Henry rifles. The buttplate has a hinged trapdoor (cleaning rod not included). A single "H" sub-inspection mark is stamped on the side of the barrel below the "C.G.C." mark. "HH" is stamped on the right side of the receiver adjacent to the barrel marks. A small "C" sub-inspection mark is stamped on the right heel of the buttplate. The matching serial number is stamped on the top barrel flat, left side of the lower tang, buttplate and one buttplate screw. Number in the stock inlet is illegible. The U.S. contract Henry rifles issued to the 1st D.C. Cavalry saw hard service when the regiment was assigned to the Army of the Potomac during the Petersburg Campaign in the summer of 1864. Several hundred of these rifles were captured during engagements with Confederate cavalry. The bodyguard of Confederate President Jefferson Davis was armed with captured Henry rifles when he fled Richmond during the closing days of the war. Although most of the Henry rifles manufactured by the New Haven Arms Co., during the Civil War are believed to have been purchased by individual Federal soldiers who wanted the firepower offered by the advanced Henry rifle; the 800 Henry rifles purchased by the Ordnance Department on December 31, 1863, were the only Henry rifles with Ordnance inspection marks issued during the Civil War. The 1st D.C. Cavalry was the only unit in the Federal army armed entirely with government issued Henry rifles during the Civil War.

Good. The barrel and magazine have a crisp smooth dark patina overall. The evenly worn brass has a very attractive untouched mellow yellow appearance. The sanded and revarnished stock is also good with a repair visible in the wrist (right side), couple hairline stress cracks and some minor handling/storage marks. There is a faint outline of a cartouche on the right side of the stock. Mechanically fine. A desirable U.S. contract New Haven Arms Co. rifle that is missing from most Civil War or lever action collections. A must have for the serious collector.