This example is one of the 800 Henry rifles purchased by the Ordnance Department in December 1863 from the New Haven Arms Company. These rifles were procured to arm the 1st District of Columbia Cavalry Regiment (1st D.C. Cavalry). The 1st D.C. Cavalry was initially 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 operating in Northern Virginia commanded by Col. John S. Mosby. During the summer of 1864, the 1st DC Cavalry participated in cavalry operations near Petersburg, Virginia. Numerous Henry rifles were lost in combat with Confederate cavalry during the Petersburg Campaign. The 800 Henry rifles in the 1st D.C. Cavalry contract are in the 3000-4000 serial number range. These rifles are the only Henry rifles marked with Ordnance inspection marks on the stock and barrel. This rifle has the distinctive brass buttplate and receiver and 24-inch barrel with integral 15-shot magazine that identify standard production Henry rifles. This rifle has the second style receiver introduced around serial number 3000 that lacks the alternate rear sight dovetail found on earlier Henry rifles. The stock has the first pattern crescent buttplate with rounded heel used until about serial number 5100. The barrel has the rounded profile, nickel silver front sight blade and folding leaf rear sight with 900 yard center notch and elevator slide stop screw at the top of the leaf. The magazine has the correct large diameter follower, and the receiver has the late beveled follower slot. The rifle has a straight grain American walnut stock. The buttplate has a hinged trapdoor. The butt trap contains the scarce four-piece jointed wooden cleaning rod issued with U.S. contract Henry rifles. The rifle, correctly, lacks the sling swivel and hook for sling loop on the left side of the stock and barrel. The sling swivel and loop were special order features that were not fitted to most U.S. contract Henry rifles. The "C.G.C." inspection mark of Ordnance Inspector Charles G. Chapman is stamped on the right barrel flat at the junction just ahead of the receiver. "C" sub-inspection marks are stamped: (1) on the right barrel flat between the "C.G.C." mark and the receiver, (2) on the right edge of the receiver and (3) on the upper right corner of the buttplate heel. Traces of the oval, script, "CGC" final inspection mark are visible on the right side of the stock wrist. The "H" New Haven Arms inspection mark of Benjamin Tyler Henry is stamped next to the Ordnance "C" sub-inspection mark on the right side of the receiver. The top barrel flat is roll-stamped with the small, 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. This style address has "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) in the upper tang inlet of the stock, and (4) on the inside of the buttplate. One of the hand fitted buttplate screws is serial numbered "3568" on the shank, and the other (upper) screw is not marked. The tang screws, correctly, are not serial numbered.

Good. The blue on the barrel/magazine has aged to an attractive plum brown patina. With the exception of several minor dents near the muzzle, the surfaces of the barrel/magazine are smooth with sharp edges. The New Haven Arms Company legend, serial number and Ordnance inspection marks are sharp. The brass receiver is in good condition with a period modified "sighting" groove on top chamber, and tight side-plate joints. The receiver has scattered minor scratches and handling marks. The receiver and buttplate have a very attractive, un-polished patina. The hammer retains patterns of the dark muted case colors. The lever shows traces of case colors on the sides with a brown patina on the contact points. The stock is in good overall condition with expected handling marks on the lower edges. The "CGC" final inspection mark stamped on the left stock wrist is very faint but discernable with close inspection. Although experts believe that most Henry rifles manufactured during the Civil War were purchased by individual federal soldiers who were willing to pay for the advantages of a 15-shot repeating rifle, the 800 Henry rifles purchased by the Ordnance Department were the only fully inspected Henry rifles manufactured during the Civil War. The 1st D.C. Cavalry was the only regiment entirely armed with Henry rifles. The 1st D.C. Cavalry engaged in a number of significant actions in 1864-65, and the Henry rifles issued to the regiment saw hard service. Surviving examples of Ordnance inspected Henry rifles are very scarce and are a distinct and extremely desirable Henry rifle variation.