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LOT 3301
Documented U.S. Contract 3rd U.S.
Veteran Volunteer Infantry New Haven
Arms Co. Henry Lever Action Rifle - Serial no.
7146, 44 Henry cal., 24 inch octagon bbl., blue/
brass finish, varnished walnut stock. This Henry
lever action rifle was manufactured by the New
Haven Arms Company c. November 1864 and purchased by the Ordnance
Department in April 1865 as part of a 500 rifle lot for issue to the 3rd U.S. Veteran
Volunteer Infantry Regiment (3rd VVI). The U.S. Army raised four regiments of Veteran Volunteer Infantry in 1865. These regiments recruited
discharged veterans and were intended to serve as an elite infantry division. The VVI regiments were armed with Sharps, Spencer and Henry rifles. As an incentive for
enlistment in the VVI, the veterans were allowed to retain their rifles when they were discharged from service. The Civil War ended before the VVI regiments saw active service.
Surviving records indicate the 3rd VVI were issued at least 627 Henry rifles. The serial number of this rifle, 7146, is listed on page 75 of “The Historic Henry Rifle” by Wiley Sword
as one of the Henry rifles issued to Companies B, C, I, H and K of the 3rd VVI. The Henry rifles purchased by the Ordnance Department for the 3rd VVI in 1865 were standard mid-
production rifles with sling swivels and sling hook loop. Most of these rifles lacked any Ordnance Department final inspection or sub-inspection marks (this example is “J.T.” inspected).
The rifle has the distinctive blued octagon barrel with integral 15-shot magazine and brass receiver and buttplate. The barrel has a square-back, nickel-silver front sight blade and
dovetail mounted folding leaf rear sight. The rear sight has a 900 yard center notch, elevator bar stop screw and elevator bar with rounded ends. The magazine has the second style, large
diameter, brass follower. The top barrel flat is roll stamped with the large, second style legend: “HENRY’S PATENT. OCT. 16. 1860/MANUFACT’D BY THE NEW HAVEN ARMS. CO. NEW HAVEN.
CT” with all serif letters. The second style receiver lacks the rear sight dove-tail found on early Henry rifles and has the beveled follower cut. The lower tang is stamped with the “H” inspection
mark used by B. Tyler Henry. The stock is straight grain American walnut with a varnish finish and has the second style brass buttplate with sharply pointed heel. “J.T.” inspectors initials are stamped on
left forward wrist. The stock and barrel have the sling swivel and loop that were standard on late production Henry rifles. The buttplate has a hinged trapdoor. The hammer, lever and trigger are color
casehardened, and the bolt is blued. The serial number is present on: (1) the top barrel flat, (2) left side of the lower receiver tang, (3) inside of the upper stock inlet and (4) inside of the buttplate. All of
the visible serial numbers match. The shanks of the late style buttplate and tang screws are, correctly, not serial numbered.
CONDITION: Fine. This rifle remains in above average condition for a Civil War issued rifle. The original blue finish on the barrel/magazine has faded to a smooth blue-gray patina with traces of the original
blue finish in protected areas. The edges of the barrel are sharp. The New Haven Arms Company legend and serial number are crisp. The brass receiver and buttplate are very fine with a handsome
aged patina. The side plate joints are crisp with the exception of several shallow scratches on the left
side of the receiver. The brass buttplate is also very fine with the same untouched patina as the receiver.
The bolt retains significant amounts of the original blue finish. The hammer, trigger and lever have
40% of the mottled case colors with some silvering on the bottom of the lever. The stock has been
revarnished and remains in fine overall condition with a few insignificant handling marks. This is a great
looking example of a documented U.S. contract 3rd U.S. Veteran Volunteer Infantry Henry rifle.
Estimate: 20,000 - 30,000
According to "The Historic Henry
Rifle" by Sword, only 627 Henry
rifles were purchased by the U.S.
Ordnance Department in 1865.
Listed by serial number as a 3rd Veteran
Volunteer Infantry rifle in
The Historic Henry Rifle by Wiley
261