1318
Scarce 3rd U.S. Veteran Volunteer U.S. Contract, New Haven Arms Co., Henry Lever-Action Rifle
Currency:USD
Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory
Start Price:0.00 USD
Estimated At:14,000.00 - 18,000.00 USD
SOLD
16,000.00USD+ buyer's premium + applicable fees & taxes.
This item SOLD at 2010 Sep 11 @ 12:57UTC-5 : EST/CDT
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A full invoice should be emailed to the winner by the auctioneer within a day or two.
Henry lever-action rifle manufactured by the New Haven Arms Company in December 1863 as part of an 800 gun Ordnance Department contract. These rifles were purchased specifically to arm the 1st District of Columbia Cavalry and are all in the 3000-4000 serial number range. The serial number of this rifle, "3750", is consecutive to serial number "3751" which is documented as issued to the 3rd U.S. Veteran Volunteer Infantry in 1865. The 800 Henry rifles in the December 1863 contract are the only Henry rifles that bear a full set of Ordnance inspection marks. These rifles were initially issued to the 1st D.C. Cavalry and subsequently were used by the 1st Maine Cavalry when seven 1st D.C. companies were transferred to that regiment in the fall of 1864. A number of rifles in the 1st D.C. serial number range, like serial number "37651" were issued to the 3rd Veteran Volunteer Infantry in 1865. Many of the 800 1st. D.C. Cavalry Henry rifles were captured and used by Confederate soldiers. The bodyguard of Confederate President Jefferson Davis were armed with Henry rifles when he fled Richmond, Virginia, in the spring of 1865. The rifle has an octagon barrel with integral 15-shot magazine. The barrel has a replacement, brass bead font sight and a dove-tail mounted, folding leaf, rear sight with 1000 yard center notch. The brass receiver lacks the alternate rear sight dove-tail found on rifles with serial numbers below 3000 and has a loading lever latch. The stock has the early pattern brass buttplate with rounded heel. The stock has a non-original sling swivel on the bottom and is correctly not fitted with the special order sling swivel and loop. The top of the barrel 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. The serial number, "3750" is stamped on the top barrel flat between the rear sight and receiver, on the lower left side of the receiver tang, in the upper stock tang inlet, the inside of the buttplate and on the shank of both buttplate screws. All of the visible serial numbers match. The initials of Ordnance Sub-Inspector Charles G. Chapman ("C.G.C.") are stamped on the right side of the barrel just ahead of the receiver. The lightly stamped "C.G.C" inspection mark on the right side of the stock wrist is no longer visible. A small "C" sub-inspection mark is stamped on the upper right side of the buttplate and on the upper right corner of the stock. A single "H" is stamped on the right side of the barrel below the "C.G.C." mark and "H H" is stamped on the right edge of the receiver adjacent to the barrel markings. This rifle and Henry rifle serial number "3751" may be the only consecutively serial numbered U.S. inspected Henry rifles extant.
BBL: 24 inch
Stock: walnut
Gauge: 44 Henry RF
Finish: blue
Grips:
Serial Number: 3750
Condition: Fair to good. The barrel has been lightly cleaned and has a silver-gray patina with scattered handling marks and some very minor pitting near the muzzle. The original front sight blade is missing. The rear sight is a period replacement. The casehardened hammer and loading lever have been cleaned and have a silver-gray patina with scattered age discoloration. The receiver has been polished and has scattered handling marks and wear on the side plate joints. There are light vice marks on the forward edges of the receiver. The stock has been sanded and re-finished. There is a hairline crack in the right wrist and several deeper scratches behind the sling swivel. The buttplate shows the same handling wear as the stock and is in good condition. The barrel legend and serial numbers are sharp. The inspection and sub-inspection marks on the barrel, receiver and buttplate are clear. Nearly all of the U.S. Contract Henry rifles were issued during the Civil War and the few surviving examples all show the effects of hard war-time and post-war service. This is a solid example of a U.S. Contract Henry rifle that almost certainly saw action with the 1st D.C. and 1st Maine Cavalry regiments around Petersburg, Virginia, during the summer and fall of 1864. This rifle along with serial number, "3751", may be the only consecutively serial numbered U.S. Contract Henry rifles ever offered for sale.
Auction Location:
4507 49th Avenue, Moline, Illinois, 62165, United States
Previewing Details:
Preview: Open to the public Thursday, September 9th from 10 AM to 6 PM and Friday, September 10th from 8 AM to 10 AM.
Buyer's Premiums:
| From (Incl.) | To (Excl.) | Premium |
| 0.00 |
Infinite |
19.5% |
Additional Fees:
Shipping Details:
Please contact the auction house for the preferred shipper’s contact information
Payment Details:
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