Page 169 - 4090-BOOK3

1 of 800 Henry rifles contracted by the Ordnance Department and issued to the 1st D.C. Cavalry.
LOT 3286
Civil War U.S. Martially Inspected New Haven Arms Henry Lever Action Rifle - Serial no. 3789,
44 Henry RF cal., 24 3/8 inch octagon bbl., blue/bright finish, walnut stock. This rifle was manufactured as part of an 800 rifle contract, dated December
30, 1863, with the Ordnance Department. These rifles are found in the 3000-4000 serial number range that were issued to the 1st D.C. Cavalry and are
the only Henry rifles marked with Ordnance inspection marks on the stock and barrel. The unit served initially in the defenses of Washington, D.C, and
also fought in the famous Siege of Petersburg, the Appomattox Campaign at the end of the war, and then in garrison duty in Virginia until the fall of 1865.
The consignor indicated it was found in a Virginia estate not far from where the rifle would have been used in the Civil War and is fresh to the market and
previously unknown to collectors. This rifle’s serial number also falls immediately after one of the rifles reported by the 3rd Regiment of U.S. Veteran Volunteers
in 1865. They had received some of the 1st D.C. Cavalry 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. The “H” New Haven Arms inspection mark of B. Tyler Henry is stamped on the barrel below the “C.G.C.” inspection mark, on the
right side of the frame adjacent to the “C.G.C./H” marks on the barrel, and also on the right side of the buttplate and buttstock at the heel. 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 barrel has a German silver blade front
sight and a period replacement buckhorn style sight. An adjustable sporting rear sight is also included. The top barrel flat is stamped with the two-line patent/address legend. The brass buttplate has
a hinged trapdoor and contains the original four-piece Henry cleaning rod.
CONDITION: Very good, “out of the attic” condition with dark brown patina and raised mild oxidation and with an attractive dark aged patina and verdigris on the fine frame and buttplate and general moderate
overall wear suggesting a rifle that saw real action in the Civil War and beyond. The stock has long cracks running along the right and left sides of the wrist back into the butt, with a pinned repair and crack just above on
the left side of the wrist but is otherwise good with mild dings and scratches. The cleaning rod is good and has a partially loose fitting and mild wear. Mechanically fine.
Estimate: 22,500 - 35,000 167