This Henry Lever Action Rifle was manufactured by the New Haven Arms Company in November 1863. This rifle was part of the 800 rifle order from the Ordnance Department to arm the 1st District of Columbia Cavalry regiment. The 1st D.C. Cavalry was the only Federal unit entirely armed with Henry rifles during the Civil War. Commanded by politically connected Col. Lafayette Baker, the 1st D.C. Cavalry served on provost duty in the District of Columbia under the direct orders of Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton. The unit's primary mission was to combat Confederate partisan rangers operating in Northern Virginia. In May 1864, the regiment was re-assigned to the Department of Virginia and saw action in operations around Richmond and Petersburg. The 1st D.C Cavalry was present when Confederate General Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia surrendered at Appomattox Court House on April 9, 1865. During the Richmond/Petersburg Campaign, a significant number of Henry rifles were captured or lost in action. Some captured 1st D.C. Cavalry Henry rifles were re-issued to Confederate forces. The body guard of President Jefferson Davis was armed with Henry rifles when he was captured following his flight from Richmond. The 800 Henry rifles purchased for the 1st D.C. Cavalry under the December 30, 1863, contract are the only Henry rifles fully marked with Ordnance final inspection and sub-inspection marks. Although the Ordnance Department purchased an additional 627 Henry rifles in April and May 1865 to arm the 3rd U.S. Veteran Volunteer Infantry regiment, the 1865 contract rifles did not have Ordnance inspection marks and saw no Civil War combat. This rifle has all of the features found on the late 1863 production rifles purchased for the 1st D.C. Cavalry. The barrel and integral 15-shot magazine have the second style, nickel-silver, square back front sight blade and third pattern, folding leaf rear sight with "900" yard marking on the top of the leaf. The magazine has the large, second pattern, brass follower. The follower slot on the bottom of the receiver has milled flats. The distinctive brass (gunmetal) receiver is the second pattern introduced about serial number 3100 which lacks the alternate rear sight dovetail. The straight grain, American walnut stock has the first style buttplate with rounded heel and hinged brass butt-trap door. The stock is correctly not fitted with a sling swivel, and the left side of the barrel lacks the loop for a sling hook. Most of the 1st D.C. Henry rifles were not equipped with sling swivels and loops. The 1st D.C Cavalry carried their rifles in a leather scabbard manufactured by the Washington Arsenal specifically for the Henry rifle. 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. This legend utilizes serif letters with the exception of "NEWHAVEN" in the second line which is stamped in block letters. The right barrel flat is stamped with the "C.G.C." initials of Ordnance Sub-Inspector Charles G. Chapman above a single "H" New Haven Arms inspection mark. A second "HH" inspection mark is stamped on the right side of the receiver immediately behind the barrel inspection mark. A small "C" sub-inspection mark is stamped on the right side of the buttplate heel. The right side of the stock wrist is stamped with the Ordnance final inspection mark which consists of the script initials "CGC" in an oval border. The rifle serial number, "3146", is stamped: (1) on the top barrel flat between the rear sight and the receiver, (2) on the left side of the lower receiver tang, (3) in the upper tang inlet of the stock, (4) on the inside of the buttplate below the screw hole and (5) on the shanks of both the hand-fitted buttplate screws. All of the visible serial numbers match. The tang screws were not serial numbered on Henry rifles above serial number 3100. The rifle is complete with the four-piece, jointed hickory cleaning rod issued with Henry rifles in this serial number range.

Very good plus. This rifle is all original and retains traces of the original blue and casehardened finish in protected areas. The barrel/magazine has a smooth brown patina. The barrel edges are slightly rounded from handling, and the metal surfaces have a few scattered patches of surface discoloration. The barrel legend, serial number, Ordnance inspection mark and New Haven Arms inspection mark are all sharp. The rear sight blade has crisp markings but is missing the elevator bar. The brass receiver and buttplate are fine, with a deep, attractive and un-handled patina. The side-plate joints are tight. Wear on the receiver and buttplate is limited to a few minor handling marks and scratches. The inspection marks on the receiver and buttplate are crisp. The case colors on the hammer, trigger and lever have aged to a brown patina with traces of the original case colors in protected areas. The stock has the numerous light scratches and handling marks that are typical of a weapon that has been carried on horseback. The "CGC" Ordnance inspection cartouche on the right stock wrist is faint but visible. This is a solid representative, well above average condition example of a rare and historic U.S. contract Henry Rifle that almost certainly saw combat with the 1st D.C. Cavalry in Northern Virginia during the Siege of Petersburg and the Appomattox Campaign. This historic Henry rifle would be a standout piece in any Winchester or U.S. Martial Arms collection.