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This martially inspected Henry rifle was part of an 800 rifle
contact with the Ordnance Department dated December 30, 1863, which was filled by rifles from the 3000-4000 serial number range. These rifles were shipped to the arsenal in Washington, D.C., and were issued to the 1st District of Columbia Cavalry Regiment and are the only Henry rifles marked with Ordnance inspection marks on the stock and barrel.
LOT 138
Highly Desirable Martially Inspected U.S. Civil War New Haven Arms Co. Henry Lever Action Rifle with Cleaning Rod - Serial no. 3043, 44 Henry RF cal., 24 1/4 inch octagon bbl., blue/brass finish, walnut stock. This rifle was manufactured c. September 1863 and were part of an 800 rifle contact with the Ordnance Department dated December 30, 1863, and filled by rifles from the 3000-4000 serial number range. These rifles were shipped to the arsenal in Washington, D.C., and were issued to the 1st District of Columbia Cavalry Regiment and are
the only Henry rifles marked with Ordnance inspection marks on the stock and barrel. This rifle has the proper “C.G.C./H” inspection marks on the right barrel flat at the breech and the “HH” inspection mark on the right at the breech on the frame. The inspection marks are for Ordnance Inspector Charles G. Chapman and Benjamin Tyler Henry. The rifle also has a squareback nickel silver blade front sight, the two-line address and Henry patent marking, a notch and folding ladder rear sight with 900 yard top notch, the serial number on top at the breech, rounded heel buttplate, and smooth stock with an original takedown wooden cleaning rod in the compartment.
The 1st D.C. Cavalry’s first four companies were organized in Washington, D.C., in 1863 to defend the capital and took orders directly from the U.S. War Department. They were later supplemented by additional companies raised in Maine. They served in the Defenses of Washington in the 22nd Army Corps. Due to the need for cavalry, they were pulled away from D.C. and into the fighting in Virginia. A detachment fought in a skirmish at Annandle, Virginia, on October 22, 1863. In November, the unit was divided and stationed at Yorktown and Portsmouth. They fought in Kautz’s Cavalry Division in the Department of Virginia and North Carolina during the Petersburg Campaign. In August 1864, the Maine companies were transferred to the 1st Maine Cavalry, and the remaining men were consolidated into two companies and continued to serve through the Appomattox Campaign in the
on October 26, 1865. In 1864, the unit was already losing many men and their Henry rifles in combat operations in Virginia, especially at during operations against the Stony Creek Depot in late June 1864 where the Union cavalry faced off against Major General Wade Hampton and William H.F. Lee’s divisions and faced heavy losses. Major J. Stannard Baker of the 1st D.C. Cavalry commanding a detachment reported that as part of the operations the regiment fought at the Staunton River railroad bridge and lost 4 killed, 22 wounding, and 30 missing. They suffered another 4 killed, 57 wounded, and 130 missing near Reams’ Station.
CONDITION: Very good plus with 25% of the original blue finish visible in the recessed areas on both sides of the barrel, mottled gray and brown patina on the balance, and attractive aged patina on the brass and some verdigris around the screws. The lightly sanded and refinished stock is also very good and has some light scratches and dings. Mechanically fine. The last section of the cleaning rod has the jag end absent, and another section is warped. Otherwise, the cleaning rod is very good. A solid representative and attractive example of a highly desirable U.S. contract Henry lever action rifle.
Estimate: 35,000 - 55,000
110 2nd Brigade of the Cavalry Division of the Department of Virginia at the end of the Civil War before mustering out