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Fine U.S. Contract, Martially Inspected, New Haven Arms Company Henry Lever-Action Rifle

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:18,000.00 USD Estimated At:NA
Fine U.S. Contract, Martially Inspected, New Haven Arms Company Henry Lever-Action Rifle
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Estimate: $45000 - 65000
This martially inspected Henry lever-action rifle manufactured in January 1864 by the New Haven Arms Company as part of an 800 rifle contract for the Ordnance Department. Most of the 800 Henry rifles purchased by the Ordnance Department to arm the 1st District of Columbia Cavalry regiment bore the "C.G.C." initials of Ordnance Sub-Inspector Charles G. Chapman on the right side of the barrel and were stamped with the script initials "C.G.C." in an oval on the right side of the stock wrist. These were the only Henry rifles purchased by the Federal government during the Civil War with Ordnance inspection marks on the stock and barrel. The 1st D.C. Cavalry regiment was raised in late 1863 for special service in the District of Columbia and was initially under direct control of Secretary of War Edward M. Stanton. The 1st D.C. Cavalry was the only Federal unit that was completely equipped with Henry rifles during the Civil War. In May 1864 it was assigned to Kautz's Cavalry Division, Department of Virginia and North Carolina and remained part of that division for the remainder of the Civil War. The 1st D.C. Cavalry saw combat in raids on the Petersburg & Weldon and Richmond & Danville Railroads and fought at Ream's Station, Stony Creek, Sycamore Church and other actions in 1864. Seven companies of the 1st D.C. Cavalry were transferred to the 1st Maine Cavalry in August 1864; the remaining two companies were consolidated to a single battalion. In the spring of 1865 the 1st Maine/1st D.C. Cavalry fought in the Appomattox Campaign and was present at the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia at Appomattox Court House on April 9, 1865. Many of the Henry rifles issued to the 1st D.C. cavalry were lost in action during 1864 and a number of these rifles were known to have been captured by Confederate forces. This rifle is a typical U.S. contract Henry rifle with later style brass receiver with no rear sight dovetail, first style brass buttplate with rounded heel profile, blued barrel with nickel-silver, square-back, front sight blade and dovetail mounted, folding leaf, rear sight with 900 yard center notch and varnished walnut stock. Like most U.S. contract Henry rifles the left side of the stock and barrel are not fitted with a sling swivel and loop for a sling hook. The stock butt-trap contains the four-piece, jointed, hickory cleaning rod provided with Henry rifles in this serial number range. The top barrel flat is roll-stamped with the two-line legend: "HENRY'S PATENT. OCT. 16. 1860./MANUFACT'D BY THE NEWHAVEN ARMS.CO. NEWHAVEN. CT.", ahead of the rear sight. All of the letters, including the second "NEWHAVEN" marking, have an identical serifed font. The serial number, "3919" is roll-stamped on the top of the barrel between the rear sight and the receiver. The serial number is also stamped on the inside of the buttplate and on the shank of both of the hand-fitted buttplate screws (the stock was not removed to check the serial numbers on the left side of the lower receiver tang and the upper stock tang inlet). The right side of the barrel is stamped with the Ordnance "C.G.C." sub-inspection mark immediately in front of the receiver. A New Haven Arms "H" inspection mark is stamped below the Ordnance mark. Two "H H" New Haven Arms inspection marks are stamped on the right side of the receiver next to the "H" inspection mark on the barrel. A "C" sub-inspection mark is stamped on the right heel of the buttplate near the junction with the stock and a second "C" inspection mark is stamped on the upper right corner of the stock adjacent to the "C" mark on the buttplate. The right side of the stock wrist is stamped with the script initials "CGC" in an oval.
BBL: 24 inch
Stock: walnut
Gauge: 44 Henry RF
Finish: blue
Grips:
Serial Number: 3919
Condition: Fine. The rifle is all original and in well above average condition for a U.S. Contract Henry rifle. The barrel has traces of bright blue an even gray-brown patina. The edges of the barrel are sharp and the metal is smooth with no pitting or significant nicks or scratches. The barrel markings and serial number are crisp. The rear sight is in very good condition with traces of the original blue finish in protected areas. The hammer and lever have the same gray-brown patina as the barrel and retain traces of the original casehardened finish. The brass receiver and buttplate are both in fine condition with a very attractive, even, aged, mustard color patina. The side plate joints are perfect. There is no indication that the side plates have ever been removed from the rifle. The buttplate is in the same condition as the receiver. The Ordnance and Henry inspection marks on the frame, barrel and buttplate are crisp. The "CGC" inspection mark on the right side of the stock wrist is sharp and deep and one of the best observed on a U.S. Contract Henry rifle. The condition of the final inspection mark is in keeping with the limited handling wear on the rifle. The stock is in fine condition with most of the varnish finish; wear is limited to scattered, light handling marks and scratches. This is an exceptionally fine example of a U.S. Contract Henry rifle. The approximately 800 Ordnance inspected Henry rifles issued to the 1st D.C. Cavalry are some of the very few Civil War firearms that can be definitely identified as issued to a specific unit. The 1st D.C. Cavalry Henry rifles were the most advanced small arms issued during the Civil War; these desirable rifles saw hard service. Examples are scarce in any condition. This fine U.S. Contract Henry rifle would be the centerpiece of any collection of Civil War weapons or miliaria.