Historic, Finest Reported Known, Documented U.S. Contract Martially Inspected New Haven Arms Company Henry Lever Action Rifle with History This extraordinary Henry Lever Action Rife was manufactured by the New Haven Arms Co. in November 1863 as part of an 800 rifle order by the Ordnance Department for Henry rifles to arm the 1st District of Columbia Volunteer Cavalry Regiment (DC Cavalry). The DC Cavalry was the only unit in the Federal Army armed entirely with Henry rifles. The 800 Henry rifles purchased for issue to the D.C. Cavalry were in the 3000-4000 serial number range and were stamped with the final inspection mark of Ordnance Sub-Inspector Charles G. Chapman (C.G.C.) on the right side of the barrel and right side of the stock. These rifles were also stamped with the "H" New Haven Arms Co. Sub-inspection mark on the right side of the barrel and receiver. Most of the DC Cavalry Henry rifles were not equipped with a sling swivel or loop for sling hook which were extra cost items in 1863. In March 1864, the DC Cavalry was issued 783 of the 800 rifles purchased by the Ordnance Department in November 1863. During the winter of 1864-65, the Federal Army raised at least three Veteran Volunteer Infantry (VVI) Regiments. The VVI regiments were recruited from veteran soldiers and were armed with Henry, Spencer and Sharps rifles. The VVI regiments were an elite corps commanded by General Winfield Scott Hancock. As an incentive to enlist, the soldiers in the VVI regiments were allowed to keep their issue Henry, Spencer and Sharps rifles when they mustered out of service. In April-May 1865, the Ordnance Department purchased 627 Henry rifles from the New Haven Arms Co. for issue to the VVI regiments. Most of these rifles were in the 7000-9000 serial number range and lacked the distinctive "C.G.C." inspection marks found on the 800 Henry rifles purchased for the DC Cavalry. Army records indicate that at least 74 DC Cavalry rifles in the 3000-4000 serial range were issued to the 3rd VVI along with late production Henry rifles between serial number 6806 and 9701. The rifles in the DC Cavalry serial number range were either un-issued rifles or rifles turned in by the DC Cavalry. This rifle is accompanied by a Springfield Research Service (SRS) letter that states: "rifle no. 3655 was issued first to PVT. Charles Hamann and then to PVT. Henry Bowie" about May 13, 1865, at Camp Stoneman in the District of Columbia. Private Bowie was discharged at Fort Snelling, Minn., on February 24, 1866. The 3rd VVI served as garrison troops in the Washington defenses until the regiment was mustered out of service at Camp Butler, Ill., on July 20, 1866. Documents with this rifle show that it was sold at auction in 1984 as part of the estate of descendants of Captain Alexander McCallum, 8th Pennsylvania Cavalry (8th PA). Service records and regimental histories included with this rifle indicate that the 8th PA fought in most of the cavalry engagements of the Army of the Potomac between March 1862 and April 1865. Captain McCallum enlisted on September 10, 1861, mustered out of service on September 30, 1864, and died in Richmond, Va., on March 17, 1872. The records and condition of this rifle indicate that it was probably never issued to the DC Cavalry but remained in stores until first issued to Company K, 3rd VVI in May 1865. Captain McCallum probably acquired Henry serial number 3655 after the Civil War, and it remained in the McCallum family until sold at auction in 1984. This rifle has distinctive brass receiver and buttplate with octagon barrel and integral 15-shot magazine. The rifle has the mid-production features which include tapered, flat-back, nickel silver front sight blade and third style folding leaf rear sight with 900 yard notch at the top of the leaf and no slide stop screw. The magazine has the later large diameter follower, and the receiver has the milled flats to accept the larger follower. The second style receiver lacks the rear sight

  • Condition: See Description

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by Rock Island Auction Company
April 13, 2018 9:00 AM CDT
7819 42nd Street West
Rock Island, IL, US 61201

Rock Island Auction Company

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $199 $10
$200 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 + $10,000