LATE CIVIL WAR MARTIAL HENRY RIFLE ISSUED TO HENRY GRIMES 3RD VRC

LATE CIVIL WAR MARTIAL HENRY RIFLE ISSUED TO HENRY GRIMES 3RD VRC

01-27722 | Cal 44. | S# 7200.

This is a standard 5th variation Henry rifle made late 1864, 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 2nd type 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, 3.25” all serif address, 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. 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 round on rounded portion of barrel under loading sleeve and on rear edge of loading sleeve. Inspector initials are not visible on left side of stock near frame as so often worn as is the case here.
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. This rifle listed by S# issued to Private Henry Grimes, Co. C. 3rd Veteran Volunteer Infantry July 15, 1865. Grimes had previous service 72nd Pennsylvania Infantry. 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. Service records of Henry Grimes show he was transferred to Co. H, 3rd VRC, January 9, 1866 as a carpenter at Camp Butler, Illinois. He was discharged in Co. H, 3rd VRC, February 9, 1866 and charged for 20 cartridges against his final pay, the rifle was free. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: service records and small file of research including 2004 Charles Pate, Springfield Research Service letter stating that SN 7200 was issued to Henry Grimes in Co. C, 3rd Veteran Reserve Corps, July 15, 1865.
 PROVENANCE: The Esteemed Norm Greenberg Collection. STATUS: ANTIQUE.