Page 179 - 88-BOOK2

From the Mac McCroskie
Collection
177
LOT 1182
Very Fine and Historic U.S. Martially Inspected Second Contract
New Haven Arms Company Henry Lever Action Rifle Engraved
and Inscribed for Archibald McAlister of Co. E of the Pennsylvania Regiment Volunteer Corps and the 3rd Regiment of Veteran Volunteers with Sling - Serial no. 9223, 44 Henry RF cal., 24 3/8 inch octagon bbl., blue/brass finish, walnut stock. This U.S. contract Henry lever action rifle was manufactured by the New Haven Arms Company as part
of a 127 rifle order by the Ordnance Department for rifles to arm the 3rd Veteran Volunteer Infantry Regiment (3rd VVI) that shipped in April-May of 1865. This rifle falls close to rifles 9213, 9225, and 9226 identified as rifles reported by the 3rd Regiment U.S. Vet. Vol. 1865 Companies B, C, I, H, and K listed on pages 76-77 of “The Historic Henry Rifle” by Wiley Sword as one of
the 98 Henry rifles in serial number range 8480-9701 issued to Companies B, C, I, H and K of the 3rd VVI in May-June 1865. This specific rifle is listed on page 83 by serial number and includes details from the inscriptions discussed below.
The 627 Henry rifles purchased by the Ordnance Department in April-May 1865 are generally not marked with Ordnance inspection marks. However, a small number of these rifles are stamped with what appears to be a small Ordnance sub-inspection mark consisting of the block letters “A.W.M.” on the left side of the stock wrist as is the case with this rifle. This rifle has the mid-late production Henry features which include: second style receiver without rear sight dovetail, buttplate with sharply pointed heel, a nickel- silver front sight blade with flat rear, a large diameter brass follower with
beveled follower cut in the receiver, late style folding leaf rear sight with elevation bar with rounded ends and elevation bar stop screw below the 900 yard center notch, the second style barrel legend with longer (3-9/32- inch) markings using all serif letters, standard sling swivels and screw mounted sling loop on the left side of the stock and barrel and fitted with a black leather sling, and un-numbered screws in the tang and buttplate. The rifle has the distinctive octagon barrel with integral 15-shot magazine and brass receiver and buttplate. The barrel and integral magazine are blued, the receiver and buttplate are natural brass/gunmetal, and the hammer, trigger, and lever are color casehardened. The stock is oil finished, straight grain American walnut.