OE - GOOD - some minor replacement parts; metal smoothly rusted or lightly pitted in places, cleaned; principal lettering, numerals and design on metal legible; lightly scratched, bruised or minor cracks repaired; in good working order.

NPRF - NON-PROFESSIONALLY REFINISHED/COLD BLUE, ETC.

WW - WOOD IS WORSE FOR THE PERCENT FINISH RATING GIVEN

This Henry rifle was 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 "3751" 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 bodyguards 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 brass bead font sight and a dovetail mounted, folding leaf, rear sight with 1,000 yard center notch. The brass receiver lacks the alternate rear sight dovetail 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 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.