Fall 2025 Premier Firearms & Militaria Auction
October 30th, 31st, November 1st, & 2nd, 2025
This auction will feature an outstanding collection of items spanning multiple categories including Modern, Military, Sporting, & Antique firearms & militaria! Below is just a small grouping of select highlights from the massive offering to be featured in this upcoming sale!
LATE WAR MARTIAL HENRY RIFLE
01-26799
Cal 44
S# 8438
This is a standard 5th variation Henry rifle made late 1864 or early 1865, 5th variation of Henry rifles make up over 40% of total production ranging in serial numbers about 5000-12910. Characteristics of the 627 government purchased rifles include: include pointed butt plate, .75″ hinged trapdoor with drilled mortise to accept iron cleaning rod, large .125″ trigger retaining pin, lever latch, large magazine follower with 5/8 inch finger, 900 yard rear sight with slide stop screw, square back German blade front sight, six groove rifling, oiled stock with sling swivels on the left side, distinctive Henry bump in stock under sling swivel. Matching serial numbers are found on barrel behind rear sight dovetail, left side of lower tang, inside edge of butt plate, and top tang channel on buttstock. Matching assembly numbers found on rounded portion of barrel under loading sleeve and on rear edge of loading sleeve. Inspector initials “AWM” stamped on left side of stock near frame. The attached original Civil War era leather sling has brass hardware.
Late martial inspected government contract estimated production is 627 rifles scattered within the 6800 to 9800 serial number range. 273 of these late martials are known by serial number from the 3rd Veteran Reserve Corps (VRC) daybooks as issued to individual soldiers. Only about 40% of the day books exist and this rifle has unknown provenance. This group of rifles were delivered April to May, 1865; too late to see Civil War service, but troops still in field for garrison & occupation service till 1866 and longer in some places. One of the incentives for signing up for an extra year in the VRC included a bonus plus the ownership of their issued Henry or Spencer repeating breech loading rifle upon completion of term. Lincoln’s elite Honor Guard that handled his remains and coffin from Washington to final burial in Springfield was made up of these handpicked men from VRC.
STATUS: ANTIQUE
