RARE HOGGSON ENGRAVED MARTIALLY MARKED HENRY RIFLE.

RARE HOGGSON ENGRAVED MARTIALLY MARKED HENRY RIFLE. Cal. 44 RF Henry. SN 2278. Fine Henry rifle with 24-1/4” oct bbl, integral magazine tube, replacement copper front sight, and Henry ladder rear sight that has 1,000 yard marks. This is an early style Henry with the alternate sight dovetail on top of the receiver and it has the rounded buttplate tang. It also has factory sling swivels with special dark finished wood. The serial number appears on the left side of the lower tang is stamped in the top tang channel of the stock, on the inside of the toe of the buttplate and on all of the screws. The receiver is typically engraved by Samuel J. Hoggson and silver-plated. The top of the receiver is engraved in a ribbon “Gen. G.M. Dodge 7th Regt. Ill.”. The balance of the receiver has Hoggson style engraving, consisting of his usual patterns of foliate arabesque patterns on the sides and sideplates and an elk on the left sideplate. The front flats on both sides have his trademark large blossoms and both sides of the receiver have his rope pattern borders. The engraving patterns have punch-dot background. The presentation was applied at a later date, after the war, when Gen. Dodge attended a GAR meeting where all the attendees were requested to bring their rifles.

Grenville Mellen Dodge, born 12 April 1831, was a graduate civil and military engineer in 1850. He moved to Illinois and was employed building railroads for the Illinois Central and other railroad companies. In 1854 he moved to Council Bluffs, IA and organized a bank, and at the same time organized the Council Bluffs Guards. At the outbreak of the Civil War he went to Washington to obtain equipment for his troop but was turned down, but made an impression on the military who offered him a captaincy, which he declined. He returned to Iowa and was commissioned a colonel and authorized to raise a regiment. He not only raised an infantry regiment but also a company of artillery. He and his troops were immediately enrolled and saw action shortly thereafter in Missouri. He was engaged in almost continuous action with the Army of the Tennessee on the Western front throughout most of the war and rose to the rank of Major General. After the war ended he was assigned to all the Western territories to put down the Indian problems from the Arkansas river in the South to the Yellowstone in the North. He participated in many campaigns until a temporary peace was reached with the Indians. He resigned in 1866 and returned to building railroads and is generally credited with being the “Father of the United States Transcontinental Railroad” and numerous other shorter lines. He also consulted on the building of the Russian transcontinental railroad through Siberia to the Pacific Ocean. Gen. Dodge served a term in Congress and turned down an appointment as Secretary of War by President Grant. There are bronze statues of him in the State of Iowa and in Washington, DC. This rifle was consigned by someone who lives near Council Bluffs, IA where the rifle turned up.

Our rifle additionally has military inspector marks in the usual place on the right bbl flat where it meets the receiver. These marks are “CGC” without periods and an “H” on the frame and bbl. The stock additionally has the outline of a very faint cartouche on the right wrist. What is most unusual is that the engraving was not completed. Two lines of border rope pattern were only half finished. This is explained in research conducted by Guns of History, Inc. wherein it was learned that in June of 1863 an order for 240 Henry rifles was placed for the War Dept. by Col. LaFayette C. Baker. The War Dept. reduced the initial order to 120 pieces. It is recounted that Winchester was unable to immediately fill the order, but immediately shipped 13 boxes of 6 rifles each to the Washington D.C. Arsenal in care of Col. George Ramsey. According to the records these rifles were inspected and were in the 2100 to 2300 serial number range.

These first 78 rifles were taken directly from the production line in whatever form they were being produced, some were plated & engraved. Our rifle is apparently one of those first 78 rifles received by Col. Ramsey. The “CGC” inspector mark, without periods, appears to have been the initials of Charles G. Curtis, who was recorded as inspecting Henry rifles during 1862 thru 1863, so the only Henry rifles he could have inspected was the first shipment of 78 rifles. These first Henrys were initially intended to equip special units that were to be used for protection details for President Lincoln and others, including Gen. Dodge. General J.G. Blunt is quoted as having stated: “if Dodge can have an escort service and a Henry, I can too.” So he formed his own small unit and armed them with Baker Henrys, and selected one for himself with engraving and gold plating, serial number 2378. He thought he had outdone Dodge because Dodge’s Henry was only “Silver Plated”. Accompanied by a 16 page booklet “SHORT SKETCH / of the / SERVICES OF / MAJOR GENERAL GRENVILLE MELLEN DODGE” as reprinted from “A HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY, IOWA” and a small oilcloth covered book “THE BATTLE OF ATLANTA” by General Dodge.

CONDITION: Very fine. Bbl retains 15-20% blue, turning plum, mostly in the sheltered areas and in the barrel gullets. Balance is a medium gray patina. Receiver retains about 90% strong original silver plating and has a couple of nicks on the front left. Stock is sound and retains about 75% original varnish with usual light handling and use marks and the buttplate about 30-35% thin silver plating. It has a very dark, worn bore. Mechanics are fine. 4-51516 JR890 (45,000-65,000)

Auction: Firearms - Spring 2004

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	1129	$51,750.00	RARE HOGGSON ENGRAVED MARTIALLY MARKED HENRY RIFLE. Cal. 44 RF Henry. SN 2278. Fine Henry rifle with 24-1/4” oct bbl, integral magazine tube, replacement copper front sight, and Henry ladder rear sight that has 1,000 yard marks. This is an early style Henry with the alternate sight dovetail on top of the receiver and it has the rounded buttplate tang. It also has factory sling swivels with special dark finished wood. The serial number appears on the left side of the lower tang is stamped in the top tang channel of the stock, on the inside of the toe of the buttplate and on all of the screws. The receiver is typically engraved by Samuel J. Hoggson and silver-plated. The top of the receiver is engraved in a ribbon “Gen. G.M. Dodge 7th Regt. Ill.”. The balance of the receiver has Hoggson style engraving, consisting of his usual patterns of foliate arabesque patterns on the sides and sideplates and an elk on the left sideplate. The front flats on both sides have his trademark large blossoms and both sides of the receiver have his rope pattern borders. The engraving patterns have punch-dot background. The presentation was applied at a later date, after the war, when Gen. Dodge attended a GAR meeting where all the attendees were requested to bring their rifles. Grenville Mellen Dodge, born 12 April 1831, was a graduate civil and military engineer in 1850. He moved to Illinois and was employed building railroads for the Illinois Central and other railroad companies. In 1854 he moved to Council Bluffs, IA and organized a bank, and at the same time organized the Council Bluffs Guards. At the outbreak of the Civil War he went to Washington to obtain equipment for his troop but was turned down, but made an impression on the military who offered him a captaincy, which he declined. He returned to Iowa and was commissioned a colonel and authorized to raise a regiment. He not only raised an infantry regiment but also a company of artillery. He and his troops were immediately enrolled and saw action shortly thereafter in Missouri. He was engaged in almost continuous action with the Army of the Tennessee on the Western front throughout most of the war and rose to the rank of Major General. After the war ended he was assigned to all the Western territories to put down the Indian problems from the Arkansas river in the South to the Yellowstone in the North. He participated in many campaigns until a temporary peace was reached with the Indians. He resigned in 1866 and returned to building railroads and is generally credited with being the “Father of the United States Transcontinental Railroad” and numerous other shorter lines. He also consulted on the building of the Russian transcontinental railroad through Siberia to the Pacific Ocean. Gen. Dodge served a term in Congress and turned down an appointment as Secretary of War by President Grant. There are bronze statues of him in the State of Iowa and in Washington, DC. This rifle was consigned by someone who lives near Council Bluffs, IA where the rifle turned up. Our rifle additionally has military inspector marks in the usual place on the right bbl flat where it meets the receiver. These marks are “CGC” without periods and an “H” on the frame and bbl. The stock additionally has the outline of a very faint cartouche on the right wrist. What is most unusual is that the engraving was not completed. Two lines of border rope pattern were only half finished. This is explained in research conducted by Guns of History, Inc. wherein it was learned that in June of 1863 an order for 240 Henry rifles was placed for the War Dept. by Col. LaFayette C. Baker. The War Dept. reduced the initial order to 120 pieces. It is recounted that Winchester was unable to immediately fill the order, but immediately shipped 13 boxes of 6 rifles each to the Washington D.C. Arsenal in care of Col. George Ramsey. According to the records these rifles were inspected and were in the 2100 to 2300 serial number range. These first 78 rifles were taken directly from the production line in whatever form they were being produced, some were plated & engraved. Our rifle is apparently one of those first 78 rifles received by Col. Ramsey. The “CGC” inspector mark, without periods, appears to have been the initials of Charles G. Curtis, who was recorded as inspecting Henry rifles during 1862 thru 1863, so the only Henry rifles he could have inspected was the first shipment of 78 rifles. These first Henrys were initially intended to equip special units that were to be used for protection details for President Lincoln and others, including Gen. Dodge. General J.G. Blunt is quoted as having stated: “if Dodge can have an escort service and a Henry, I can too.” So he formed his own small unit and armed them with Baker Henrys, and selected one for himself with engraving and gold plating, serial number 2378. He thought he had outdone Dodge because Dodge’s Henry was only “Silver Plated”. Accompanied by a 16 page booklet “SHORT SKETCH / of the / SERVICES OF / MAJOR GENERAL GRENVILLE MELLEN DODGE” as reprinted from “A HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY, IOWA” and a small oilcloth covered book “THE BATTLE OF ATLANTA” by General Dodge. CONDITION: Very fine. Bbl retains 15-20% blue, turning plum, mostly in the sheltered areas and in the barrel gullets. Balance is a medium gray patina. Receiver retains about 90% strong original silver plating and has a couple of nicks on the front left. Stock is sound and retains about 75% original varnish with usual light handling and use marks and the buttplate about 30-35% thin silver plating. It has a very dark, worn bore. Mechanics are fine. 4-51516 JR890 (45,000-65,000) Auction: Firearms - Spring 2004 Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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