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This rifle was part of the 800 rifle contract executed by the Ordnance Department on December 30, 1863, to arm the 1st District of Columbia Cavalry regiment, which has the distinction of being the only Federal unit entirely armed with Henry rifles during the Civil War.
LOT 3007
Fine Civil War Martially Inspected New Haven Arms
Company Henry Lever Action Rifle Formerly From the Legendary Mac
McCroskie Collection - Serial no. 3585, 44 Henry RF cal., 24 inch bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock.
Manufactured by the New Haven Arms Company in November 1863.
This rifle was part of the 800 rifle contract executed by the Ordnance Department on December 30, 1863, 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 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 the 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 the fall of 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 action in the Civil War. 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 receiver
is the second pattern introduced about serial number 3100 which lacks the alternate
rear sight dovetail. The
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 large, second style legend: “HENRY’S PATENT. OCT. 16. 1860./ MANUFACT’D BY THE NEWHAVEN ARMS.CO. NEWHAVEN. CT.” in two-lines. The second style legend first appears in the low 3000 serial number range and utilizes all serif letters rather than the combination of serif and block letters used in the first style legend.