3086

Scarce Civil War Production U.S. Contract New Haven Arms Co. Henry Lever Action Rifle

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:11,000.00 USD Estimated At:22,500.00 - 35,000.00 USD
Scarce Civil War Production U.S. Contract New Haven Arms Co. Henry Lever Action Rifle
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This is an example of a U.S. Henry rifle that was manufactured by the New Haven Arms Co., in April 1865. This rifle was probably one of 127 Henry rifles in the 8,400-9,400 serial number range that were shipped to the Ordnance Department by the New Haven Arms Co., on May 16, 1865. Most of these rifles, along with 500 Henry rifles in the 7,000-8,000 serial number range, were issued to Companies B, C, I, H and K the 3rd U.S. Veteran Volunteer Infantry Regiment (3rd VVI). Henry Rifle serial number 8,617 is listed as one of the rifles issued to the 3rd VVI. The Army recruited four regiments of Veteran Volunteer Infantry in the winter of 1864-1865 from soldiers who completed their initial enlistments. The VVI regiments were intended to serve as an elite infantry corps under the command of General Winfield Scott Hancock and were armed with Henry, Sharps and Spencer rifles. As an incentive, soldiers who re-enlisted in the VVI regiments were paid a substantial bounty and allowed to keep their rifles on discharge. The Civil War ended before the VVI regiments saw combat. Many of the members of the VVI regiments took the Henry, Sharps and Spencer rifles they had been issued home when they were discharged. The 627 Henry rifles purchased to arm the 3rd VVI were marked with a punch-mark behind the serial number on the barrel and a small three-initial Ordnance inspection mark on the left side of the stock wrist adjacent to the receiver. The more commonly encountered Ordnance Department "C.G.C." inspection marks on the right side of the barrel and on the right stock wrist of Henry rifles in the 3,000-4,000 serial number range are found on the 800 Henry rifles purchased for issue to the 1st D.C. Cavalry on December 30, 1863. This rifle has the distinctive Henry brass receiver and butt plate with blued barrel and casehardened hammer, lever and trigger. The walnut stock has an oil finish. The barrel has the later style, square back, nickel silver, front sight and late style, dove-tail mounted, folding leaf rear sight with 900 yard center notch and elevator bar retaining screw. The integral, 15-shot, magazine has the late pattern, large diameter, brass follower. The receiver is the late pattern which lacks the alternative rear sight dove-tail and has a loading lever latch on the lower tang. The brass buttplate is the late pattern with sharply pointed heel. The left side of the stock is fitted with a factory sling swivel. A loop for a sling hook is mounted on the left side of the barrel. 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 barrel marking is the second pattern, introduced about serial number 4,000, that utilizes all Roman style (serifed) letters. The serial number "8618" and a punch mark are stamped on the top of the barrel between the rear sight and the receiver. A small three-initial Ordnance "A.W.B." inspection mark is stamped on the left stock wrist near the edge of the receiver. The "H" inspection mark of B. Tyler Henry is stamped on the lower receiver tang behind the lever latch. The serial number, "8618" is stamped on the left side of the lower receiver tang in the upper tang inlet of the stock and on the inside of the buttplate. All of the visible serial numbers match. The late style, cap head, buttplate and tang screws are, correctly, not serial numbered.
BBL: 24 inch octagon
Stock: walnut
Gauge: 44 Henry RF
Finish: blue
Grips:
Serial Number: 8618
Condition: Fine as partially refinished (barrel). The rifle shows minimal service wear and retains all the original components. The receiver and buttplate are in very fine condition with minimal handling wear. The side plate joints are tight and there is no indication that the side plates have ever been removed from the receiver. The brass has a very attractive patina. The hammer, lever and trigger retain most of the original casehardened finish. The stock is in very fine condition; most of the original oil finish is intact, the Ordnance inspection mark is legible and storage marks are minimal. The raised grain is an attractive "feathered" appearance with the distinctive (and highly desirable) raised bump present on left side, under the swivel. The bore is bright which is very unusual for a Henry rifle. The barrel, sling swivel, tang and buttplate screws have been refinished many years ago. The barrel legend shows signs of polishing but is completely legible. This is an attractive and solid example of a scarce, late production, U.S. contract Henry rifle.