RARE MARTIALLY MARKED IDENTIFIED CIVIL WAR HENRY RIFLE.

RARE MARTIALLY MARKED IDENTIFIED CIVIL WAR HENRY RIFLE. SN 7508. Cal. 44 RF Henry. Usual configuration with 24-1/4″ oct bbl with integral magazine tube. It has German silver front sight with 900 yard Henry ladder rear sight. It is mounted with a nicely figured straight grain rosewood stock with tiny “J.T.” inspector initials on left wrist. We believe this is the only known martial Henry with rosewood stock. It has a sling eye in gullet on left side of bbl and a factory swivel on left side of buttstock with a pronounced “Henry bump” immediately below. It has a crescent brass buttplate with trap containing two pieces of an orig iron & brass wiping rod. Serial number was observed on left side of lower tang under the wood, in top tang channel of buttstock and inside toe of buttplate. In a letter from Springfield Research Service, this rifle is identified as having been issued to and used by Company C of the 3rd U.S. Veteran Volunteer Infantry. Records show that it was issued to 1st Sgt Bradford A. Whiting in about July 1865. The 2nd & 3rd Veteran Vol regiments were formed in Feb. 1865 and attached to the Army of the Shenandoah with duty in the defenses of Washington, D.C. The orig concept for the Veteran Volunteer units was that the Army would accept only veterans with at least two years experience, arm them with repeating rifles and use them as shock troops. This never came to pass as the war had ended, so veteran volunteers remained on guard duty around Washington and were eventually transferred to Camp Butler, Illinois, where they were mustered out on July 20, 1866. It is this cataloger’s understanding from previous research that these veterans were promised upon enlistment that they would be issued a Colt side arm and a Henry rifle which they could retain for personal use at their expiration of term of service. Also accompanied by a large packet of copies of the company muster rolls & pay records of 1st Sgt. Whiting, along with a large volume of information regarding his widow’s pension. 1st Sgt. Whiting initially enlisted for 90 days on April 19, 1861 as a Private in 12th New York State Militia. He mustered out Aug. 5, 1861. He re-enlisted on April 18, 1862 as a Private in Co. A, 10th New York Infantry for two years. He was promoted to Corporal in Feb. 1864 and mustered out April 1864. He enlisted again on March 4, 1865 with the 2nd Regiment U.S. Veteran Volunteers and was mustered out as previously noted. There is no indication of what battles he may or may not have participated in. CONDITION: Fine plus, all matching. Bbl retains 20-30% orig blue, strong in gullets. Receiver retains a wonderful medium dark mustard patina with fine sharp edges and a minor scratch or two. Wood is sound with minor nicks, dings & scratches and a few bruises on sides. Mechanics are fine, strong bright bore with scattered light to moderate pitting. A very desirable gun with a pleasing look. 4-32831(55,000-85,000)

Auction: Firearms - Fall 2007

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
	2293	$51,750.00	RARE MARTIALLY MARKED IDENTIFIED CIVIL WAR HENRY RIFLE. SN 7508. Cal. 44 RF Henry. Usual configuration with 24-1/4″ oct bbl with integral magazine tube. It has German silver front sight with 900 yard Henry ladder rear sight. It is mounted with a nicely figured straight grain rosewood stock with tiny “J.T.” inspector initials on left wrist. We believe this is the only known martial Henry with rosewood stock. It has a sling eye in gullet on left side of bbl and a factory swivel on left side of buttstock with a pronounced “Henry bump” immediately below. It has a crescent brass buttplate with trap containing two pieces of an orig iron & brass wiping rod. Serial number was observed on left side of lower tang under the wood, in top tang channel of buttstock and inside toe of buttplate. In a letter from Springfield Research Service, this rifle is identified as having been issued to and used by Company C of the 3rd U.S. Veteran Volunteer Infantry. Records show that it was issued to 1st Sgt Bradford A. Whiting in about July 1865. The 2nd & 3rd Veteran Vol regiments were formed in Feb. 1865 and attached to the Army of the Shenandoah with duty in the defenses of Washington, D.C. The orig concept for the Veteran Volunteer units was that the Army would accept only veterans with at least two years experience, arm them with repeating rifles and use them as shock troops. This never came to pass as the war had ended, so veteran volunteers remained on guard duty around Washington and were eventually transferred to Camp Butler, Illinois, where they were mustered out on July 20, 1866. It is this cataloger’s understanding from previous research that these veterans were promised upon enlistment that they would be issued a Colt side arm and a Henry rifle which they could retain for personal use at their expiration of term of service. Also accompanied by a large packet of copies of the company muster rolls & pay records of 1st Sgt. Whiting, along with a large volume of information regarding his widow’s pension. 1st Sgt. Whiting initially enlisted for 90 days on April 19, 1861 as a Private in 12th New York State Militia. He mustered out Aug. 5, 1861. He re-enlisted on April 18, 1862 as a Private in Co. A, 10th New York Infantry for two years. He was promoted to Corporal in Feb. 1864 and mustered out April 1864. He enlisted again on March 4, 1865 with the 2nd Regiment U.S. Veteran Volunteers and was mustered out as previously noted. There is no indication of what battles he may or may not have participated in. CONDITION: Fine plus, all matching. Bbl retains 20-30% orig blue, strong in gullets. Receiver retains a wonderful medium dark mustard patina with fine sharp edges and a minor scratch or two. Wood is sound with minor nicks, dings & scratches and a few bruises on sides. Mechanics are fine, strong bright bore with scattered light to moderate pitting. A very desirable gun with a pleasing look. 4-32831(55,000-85,000) Auction: Firearms - Fall 2007 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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