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Although the Henry was considered less suitable for battlefield service than the Spencer since it was more apt to foul up with extensive firing and was less durable, a Henry rifle certainly fit the description of “the best arms in possession of the Government” given it offered 16 shots rather than the usual single shot rifle-muskets of the period. The Chicago Tribune on April 6, 1865,
noted that the Illinois regiment being organized for Hancock’s corps was to be armed with Henry repeating rifles and celebrated the rifle noting that “A regiment of veterans, armed with Henry repeaters, can whip a brigade of soldiers equipped with the minie rifle. This magnificent weapon can be seen in the hands of a member of the corps in the counting room of the Tribune, between three and four p.m., for a few days.” The Evansville Daily Journal advertised that “The corps will be armed with elegant repeating rifles-the finest in the service-and at the end of his term of service each man will receive his rifle as his own property.”The Belmont Chronicle on February 9, 1865, in their ad for the First Corps noted “This Corps will be armed with breech-loading or repeating rifles, and the men will be allowed to retain their arms when mustered out.” Clearly a Henry was part of the appeal of joining the Veteran Corps, but most of the men received Sharps or Spencers. 627 U.S. martial contract Henry rifles were purchased to arm the 3rd Veteran Volunteer Infantry. Sword indicates these were supplemented by rifles originally ordered for the 1st District of Columbia Cavalry in 1863-64 and totaled around 800 rifles for the 3rd V.V.I. The rifles shipped on April 19, 1865, and May 23, 1865, for the unit fall within the 7000-9400+ serial number range and were the last purchased by the Ordnance Department aside from a single carbine ordered on November 7, 1865. As they shipped in late April and May of 1865, these Henry rifles arrived too late to be used in the Civil War. 10 regiments were ultimately formed, and they were discontinued on
July 11, 1866.
Archibald McAlister is listed as a private Company H of the 3rd Regiment, U.S. Veteran Volunteer Infantry in the National Park Service records. Given the dates on the rifle, he appears to have enlisted for the minimum of 1 year and would have received a $100 enlistment bounty. The rifle’s original owner appears to have been Archibald McAlister (born c. 1824 or 1825) listed in the 1870 Census in Philadelphia as born in Scotland and working as a basket weaver. He appears to have died on November 24, 1892, in Philadelphia.
CONDITION: Very fine. The frame and buttplate display an attractive, natural aged patina, and the side plate engraving and inscriptions are crisp. 50% of the original blue finish remains on the barrel and magazine concentrated most heavily in the protected areas and mixed with gray and brown patina and some light surface pitting. The hammer has light case colors and otherwise a smoky gray patina. The lever has dark brown patina. The very fine stock has most of the glossy finish remaining, the desirable “Henry Bump” under the sling swivel on the left side of the buttstock,
mild handling and storage wear, and a crisp martial inspection mark. Mechanically excellent. The sling is fine and has moderate age and storage related wear including flaking and attractive aged patina on the brass. This is very scarce example of a documented U.S. contract Henry rifle issued to the 3rd Veteran Volunteer Infantry that is stamped with the rare “A.W.M.” inspection mark and inscribed with the details of the service of a
Union veteran.
Provenance: The Mac McCroskie Collection.
Estimate: 45,000 - 65,000
LISTED BY SERIAL NUMBER IN THE BOOK THE HISTORIC HENRY RIFLE BY SWORD
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