The Henry rifle - Part II. The Henry rifle in the Civil War

[@Bayan1905]

One regiment that ended up with Henry rifles, but through private purchase was the 66th Illinois Infantry otherwise known as Birge's Western Sharpshooters. They were originally outfitted with rifles like Dimick plains rifles and Hawken rifles, but by the summer of 1863 with those guns more or less worn out, the men started buying Henry rifles. Over 250 men spent $40 of their own money buying Henry rifles. The cartridges at least were provided by the US Government.

[@JarodFarrant]

I bet many battles were turned in their favour.

[@earnem4175]

@@JarodFarrant maybe some exploded into faces, Henry rifles weren't safe for the users

[@capandball]

@@earnem4175 According to the sources Henry's had issues as mentioned in the video. The magazine explosion was the biggest threat in my opinion. A good reason why King added the loading port.

[@57WillysCJ]

@@earnem4175 No. It was rare, the same as revolvers chain firing. They were highly prized. The ammunition used today is not the same. It was a copper rimfire. No one would actually fire the minimum amount of rounds that they tested without a pause. It was a complicated piece that the person using it had to pay attention to the use and care instructions. This was more likely to happen if the soldier owned them. Most of the early soldiers were raised by groups in each state. Sometimes the state supplied their equipment other times it was benefactors locally. One paid for the initial outlay of the 66th Illinois and was payed back in installments. Those rifles went home with them. If someone died either the rifle was sent home or in most cases it was sold and the proceeds returned to the widow or family.

[@earnem4175]

@@57WillysCJ No, it was common. KZbinrs, and recorded events say that it happened to often, that one officer denied his unit from actually getting it. Forget his name, I think he was part of the ordnance, but his worries was that it will explode on them. If that spring decided to go a little hard, you're done. Shrapnel is on your body

[@jesseusgrantcanales]

Fun Fact: It was not until the 150th of the Civil War that it was learned of the Henry's earliest use; when shells were found on Perryville Battlefield in Kentucky, it showed that it was used early as 1862.

[@Chiller11]

Excellent episode. This would have been my weapon of choice were I to have been an American Civil War soldier.

[@baileybrunson42]

I believe it was Confederate General P.G.T. Beauregard who called it, "That damn Yankee rifle you load on Sunday and fire all week." I really enjoy this channel, it's always good..!

[@deandennison4687]

Referring to the Spencer Rifle.

[@dtaggartofRTD]

There's a lot of history around those guns. The simple joy of throwing a refined rock at a steel plate 300 yards out. To see things distant, and still be able to reach out and touch them.

[@mikeks8181]

300 Yards Standing! That's Impressive!

[@coppergearheart4125]

I think the closest real life comparison of the theoretical of the US Army adopting the Henry or one of its gate loading descendants is probably the Swiss adoption of the Vetterli rifle, with it being gate loaded, tube magazine, a vertical elevator, and a bolt action instead of a lever. I really do wonder the ballistic difference between .44 Henry Rimfire and .41 Swiss.

[@capandball]

The Swiss has a flatter trajectory. The Vetterli is on my bucket list by the way.

[@coppergearheart4125]

@@capandball Makes sense given the longer case length. Maybe that souped up .44 Henry cartridge after the war might be more comparable. Also can't wait to see you with a Vetterli!

[@rickyshultz2051]

The last target shoot with you laughing and catching brass made me almost as happy as you !

[@Corrello88]

Love the passion in the point near the end there lol like "This! 100 yr old henry shooting 300 meters"

[@kidhammer2567]

Thank you for your truly fine second Henry rifle video, for the history, the shooting of several longer distances, and with regards to the individual cartridge reloading. I do much as you do, yet I also learn from your content, and yes, I use Swiss powder here in America as you do at home. Like myself, I am so thrilled to see how you operate your Henry and hope this rifle will make a comeback to SASS-CAS as it is a fast, smooth, and accurate rifle in calibers; .44 WCF, .45 Colt, and in .45 S&W Schofield (inside a .45 Colt caliber Henry). I shoot all three cartridges via two separate Henry-chambered rifles. A bit of practice is necessary to gain speed and accuracy, yet that is oft true with every lever rifle platform in many cases. Again, much obliged! - Colonel Montana Kid Hammer SASS 6476-P in Wild-AK USA

[@tonywise3705]

Great episode

[@resatlantica]

I don't have many info but it seems a number of henry rifles were sent to Mexico by the union as part of the help against the french, so in theory they could have competed with the chassepot breechloader which is hard to know but a very interesting posible scenario

[@classifiedad1]

Closest equivalent I could think of would be the 1877 Russo-Turkish War, though that was between the Turkish Peabody and Winchester 1866 and the Russian Krnka and a few Berdan. During the Siege of Plevna, Ottoman forces used both the Peabody and Winchester rifles to great effect against the Russians, who relied heavily on concentrated infantry in bayonet action. The Peabody rifles would fire at ranges up to 1,300 meters against Russian infantry, inflicting considerable losses. When the Russians got close enough, the Turks switched to the Winchesters and emptied the tube upon them. The Krnka and Berdan were both single-shot breechloaders like the Chassepot, although were metallic cartridge guns. Then again, the difference between a Chassepot and a Gras is a modified bolt and chamber sleeve, so there’s that. The Russians eventually won, but it took longer and came at a steeper cost than anticipated. The success of the Winchester was shared with the Peabody, as the two complemented each other in that the Peabody had the steady rate of fire and range where the Winchester had the raw immediate firepower.

[@82ismi]

They wouldn't compete with the Chassepot ballistical, only by rate of fire.

[@kidhammer2567]

Thanks!

[@capandball]

Many thanks my friend! I really appreciate it!

[@kidhammer2567]

@@capandball I thank you for your world-class material and topics, for they are fantastically helping the shooting world and that of experiential archeology as well.

[@jeffreylunsford1867]

Great video thank you

[@CoreySimmons85]

2 interesting things I didn’t hear you cover. One of the things that held back Henry adoption was low production rate and insistence on making the ammunition in house. In a time when factory fires were common possibly having no more factory ammo for months scared the government. While Spencer worked with multiple other companies to make ammunition for them plus had a larger more efficient factory. While these things helped the Spencer in the war they both helped drive them bankrupt and helped Winchester survive. Smaller factory could survive with lower sales volume and ammunition sales brought in money during the post war new arms sale drought, while Spencer’s factory couldn’t survive without volume and shoddy third party cartridges sabotaged some prospective post war sales to foreign governments. Another is that while the self contained cartridge arms used far more ammunition in battle it is noted in records how they used far less ammunition the rest of the time. The armies went through millions of paper cartridges on a regular basis even without engaging anyone as they are delicate and wear out jostling against each other when marching in a cartridge box or even worse bouncing around in a supply wagon and that’s before even accounting other issues that break them down like humidity.

[@capandball]

Hi Corey, thanks for the addition, the 3rd part is focusing on why the Henry was not adopted as a general issue arm for the entire army. These points will be covered. The ammo issue is partially already covered in the first part of the series.

[@browngreen933]

Interesting about the pros and cons of staying small vs going big during wartime.

[@tonyadams6375]

Excellent video! It’s great to see a man who enjoys his work! Thank you.

[@spyczech]

Love your videos, I got a hawken rifle for a song years ago and found your channel afterwards lol. The blackpowder events in hungary look very fun hoping to visit some day, enjoyed that earlier video about the competitive event :D

[@nunyabizness4354]

Thanks for the interesting content! I love old lever action rifles.. I have many.

[@fredbasset1711]

Illinois supplied over 150 regiments in the Civil War. Over 250,000 men from Illinois served.

[@douglassauvageau7262]

Astute observation regarding ammunition resupply.

[@mikeks8181]

Catching the Brass Was Like Watching a John Wick Movie!! Thank You for all the information on this Beautiful Rifle

[@cattledog901]

Great video. The Henry was a very advanced design but the Spencer would still be my choice in that time period. The action is definitely clunkier than the Henry but its a more "military ready" rifle and having a wooden handguard and more powerful cartridge were big advantages. Eventually the Henry would prove to be the better action as it was developed into the Winchester line but it wasnt quite up to the Spencer at this point IMO.

[@swampfox7110]

Outstanding, looked like a lot of fun.

[@Mis-AdventureCH]

Copper vs. brass cartridges. Popped up again during the early Trapdoor engagements.

[@99bablefish]

How do you clean a black powder repeater like this Henry?

[@debbiegilmour6171]

Hard work and dedication... and hot, soapy water.

[@500asquare]

Hi I did give in a previous repl How I do it. to keep the residue out of the action I leave the last fired casing in the action bolt closed now i clean from the muzzle with a loop jig and cleaning patches until barrel is clean. I than carefully open the action and catch the tight fitting fired case that contains 95 of the crud. than all that's left pull a pull through with a light coat of ballistol and we are good. From playing with BLK Powder guns I believe number, one the right amount of lube, the right mixture ,a bullet that can Carrie the necessary amount of lube. or additional lube by means of a crease cookie. Now dont think for a moment i am some sort of a expert but its little things one picks up My 50 2 1/2 Sharps threw 625 gr bullets in minus 45C @ 200yards sideways through the target🤕 its 1:36 twist dont like 600gr bullets LOL So narrow grease grooves on Lee bullet not so good on BLK. Again I like to thank you host for this excellent series thank you.Martin

[@capandball]

Very easy process: one wet patch, thick bruss brush, wet patch again, brass brush, dry patch, oil saturated patch. Takes 3 minutes maximum.

[@99bablefish]

@@capandball I think this would be a good subject for a video 😉

[@gotsloco1810]

InRange has a video on one method of cleaning. When I thought about shooting my 1879 production M1873 I was advised to get some Windex with vinegar as a first solution to flush out the black a powder fouling. I follow that with Ballistol. That rifle will never come truly clean as someone long ago did not take the time to clean it and the bore is not bright and shiny. The Video capandball did on cleaning a percussion rifle by connection a hose between the nipple thread and a container of hot water sure made cleaning my percussion rifles easy. I would appreciate a video on the capandball method of cleaning a Henry/Winchester repeater.

[@Hammerli280]

The big issues with the Henry were cost and ammunition. Both sides were desperately short of arms, and cost was in proportion to machining time. So it wasn’t one Springfield musket for one Henry, it was five Springfields for two Henrys. Plus the tremendous burden of providing special ammunition. That being said, the N-SSA’s team repeater matches are something to watch.

[@NW_Ranger]

Mr. Capandball, what crazy surprise this was for me! The photo that you chose for the thumbnail of this video includes a number Union soldiers. I have seen this photo many times. One of the soldiers in this photo is my great, great, grandfather.

[@niclbicl]

Beautiful thank you for a video wery interesting!

[@fredford7642]

GREAT video, Thank you!

[@dwightehowell8179]

The originals were chambered for .44 rimfire which is long defunct. What was your gun chambered for?

[@ericv7720]

I have at least one ancestor that I know of who fought in the Civil War (51st Michigan Cavalry). I wonder now if anybody in his unit had these, or if he had one himself. Interesting thought!

[@armADa_GS]

Very interesting video as always 🎉

[@ratknight6659]

Another great videos as always keep up the awesome work! such a lovely rifle would love to have one. Maybe one day.

[@lorenzogiuliani9144]

Thank You Very nice

[@alexnad8136]

when are you going to make a video on the swedish fabian wrede's rifle m1860? from the voluntary shooting movement. Feedback

[@gorbalsboy]

Great vid,just got back from beautiful Budapest, managed to get some pistol shooting done but no holy black Powder,aha a pleasant surprise,we have a club shoot on Sunday morning, I shall give my Enfield musketoon an airing ,all the best from sunny (but cold)Troon Scotland 😊

[@99jws]

In August, Romanian troops led by General Alexandru Cernat crossed the Danube and entered the battle with 43,414 men.[9] On 11 September the Russians and Romanians mounted a large-scale assault on Plevna. The Ottoman forces were dug in and equipped with German Krupp-manufactured steel breech-loading artillery and American-manufactured Winchester repeaters[10] and Peabody-Martini rifles. For three hours they pushed back the waves of advancing Russians with superior firepower.

[@capandball]

The Winchester repeaters here are 1866 musket models. They were also widely used during the Austro-Hungarian occupation of Bosnia-Hercegovina in 1878.

[@ethankaryadi37]

Any chance we might see some pump action or lever action shotguns on this channel?

[@gruntforever7437]

One must remember that all militaries are to one degree or another resistant to change. For a very long time the bayonet was considered the real battle decider. The Henry could not take a bayonet and that alone made a lot of Generals and such reluctant to issue it to infantry.

[@philipvecchio3292]

I see this type of rifle being used very effectively among Dragoon style Troops, which os probably why the DC Calvary wanted them. Being able to rush into a gap or show up on a flank and provide overwhelming firepower would be a great use. You could probably have them Ride behind enemy lines, take a strategic position and hold it for a while.

[@ScoutSniper3124]

I have reproductions of both the 1860 Henry and 1860 Spencer repeaters. I have to say, not only is the Henry a stunningly beautiful rifle (in my eyes) it carries more ammo (both of mine are in .45 Long Colt) and feeds far better than the Spencer. IF I had been a Soldier in the Civil War, I would have spent the 4 months pay it would have taken for a Henry, they're that superior to any alternatives available at the time. IMHO, 4 months pay is a small price when it gets you back home alive. SSG. U.S. Army (Medically Retired) Infantry / Sniper / SOF Intel (SOT-A), multiple

[@capandball]

I have quite a few lever action, but I have to admit, than I also find the Henry the most beautiful of all.

[@20020x]

Great Video. Would it be possible to show how you clean your Henry after shooting it with BP. Thank You

[@xxNoFreeWillxx]

Do your shooting glasses provide any magnification? I've never seen something like this. You're an excellent shot regardless and love your documentary style videos! Cheers friend

[@davidfranklin1885]

Honorable Sir, as I recall, referring to this Henry Rifle, someone on the Confederate side stated the following: "That damned Yankee rifle you loaded on Sunday, and shot all week long." Respectful, appreciative regards, FMR Intelligence Officer

[@Stevenyoung100]

LOVE THESE! GOLDEN! ❤

[@carlschmidt7522]

The Henry is nice but I prefer the 1866 model with the side loading gate. Basically the same action and barrel. Mine is chambered in 38-40. A historian friend told me once that an army unit received a shipment of Henrys and didn't know what to do with them so they gave them to an outlandish cavalry officer named Custer. He put them to good use. Haven't been able to verify that story yet.

[@dwightehowell8179]

You have to be very careful during loading. Ian, Gun Jesus, had a shell blow up in the feed tube. He still has a chunk of metal in this body. No doubt it ruined his day and a few days afterwards.

[@highlandrab19]

Gun jesus nearly died for our sins

[@dimassalazar906]

​@highlandrab19 or mostly to entertain us. Thank you Gun Jesus!

[@gotsloco1810]

This video makes me ask the question “where was my 1862 production Henry shortly after it was made”? I don’t recall any military cartouche’s on it. The last person that might have had a clue died in 1975.

[@jackjones9460]

Quite a good video. I was hoping you might show how well it hit at 500 to 1000 meters. When the Infantry or Calvary was charging across open land, they were certainly good targets for whoever could fire that far.

[@daviddavis7136]

There's one hanging in the museum of the cape fear,looks brand new,taken off a yankee at the battle of moroes cross roads in hoke co. NC

[@ronaldrhatigan7652]

Excellent video. Small clarification: Illinois sent 6 regiments to the Mexican War. In deference to these, Illinois started numbering its regiments from 7 on upwards during the Civil War. The 7th was the first formed and first to reenlist as veterans. I didn't know about the $400 bounty.

[@jamesnelson1968]

The Spencer was superior to the Henry during the ACW, later the Henry system proved to be superior but it wasn't ready at the time. The Spencer was a more rugged arm, the Henry's loading system tended to be too fragile in battle conditions. The lack of a forearm for the Henry was also a detriment a problem the Spencer did not have. The Spencer system of loading with tube through the but was a far more useful system. Lastly the Spencer was less complicated to build and could be produced in greater numbers, always an advantage in a major war. The best weapons for an army are not always the most technologically advanced.

[@capandball]

I have to agree. At that stage the Spencer did fit the army needs much better.

[@deadhorse1391]

Also the Spencer shot a more powerful cartridge and could take a bayonet which I think was a big reason the military bought more of them

[@jamesnelson1968]

@@deadhorse1391 The difference in power wasn't all that great, there's only so much pressure a copper rimfire case could take. The Spencer did fire a larger bullet. One thing to make clear here is that there were two separate weapons made ny Spencer, the carbine for the cavalry and the rifle for the infantry. The rifle did take a bayonet, though the carbine did not, most of the weapons used in the Civil War were the carbines. I am not sure of the number comparison between the rifles and carbines, but believe most of the guns produced were carbines. There was little need of a bayonet on a carbine as they were primarily used by cavalry and the difference in length between the standard musket and the Spencer carbine would make a bayonet fight very unequal.

[@ke4drj912]

Fantastic!

[@charlescasey9799]

Comment on Custer having Henry’s not true the other side did have Henry’s great close quarter gun. The cavalry of course hade Springfield trapdoor carbines

[@rcooper3178]

I don't have an 1860 Henry reproduction but I do have an Uberti 1873 Winchester. Similar action to the Henry and very nice shooting. I also have a reproduction Spencer. It is made by Chiappa Firearms and Chiappa is the only company that I know that is making Spencer replicas. They are both in 45 Colt. The instructions for the Spencer say to operate the lever smartly. If that is done feeding problems with my Spencer go away and it works well. All the comparisons of the two I have seen compare an Uberti Henry to a Chiappa Spencer and I don't think that's fair to the original 1860 Spencer. The original 44 Henry Cartridge was less powerful that the 44-40 or the 45 Colt and the Spencer cartridge was more powerful than the 44-40 or the 45 Colt. Really these were two great repeaters in the Civil War and the soldiers who had either were very fortunate. Thanks for the great videos! It would be interesting to see a video on the Gallager Carbine.

[@mikemegame1]

Thats incredible 100 yard group with those sights

[@gvii]

I like the Henry a lot. It is a blast to shoot. But I do love the Spencer more. It's nowhere near as pretty, it's a bit more kludgey, what with having to work the hammer with each shot. There's just something about that whole "looks like a musket, but it's not" that I find appealing. It's also nice that it doesn't turn your finger to ash when you're shooting outside in the hot sun all day at a match, lol.

[@alamosabill201]

Do we need to resize. I have been reloading fireformed unresize then crimp, would I do better resizeing.?

[@jasoncown]

Resizing will only ever help you. Better feeding, better consistency.

[@alamosabill201]

@@jasoncownthanks, the fire formed feed fine. 👍

[@capandball]

@@alamosabill201 Fire formed is the best choice. I shoot my 44-40 cases from 3 different guns, that's why I resize. If it was only the Henry, I would also fire form only.

[@HDSME]

The henry was a little delicate and had no wood to hold the barrel plus if you give a soldier 1000 rd gun he will shoot 1000rds in the first sounds of bullets might have been better off with 6 shot or 5 and a srock also they were very expensive !

[@waltermears3044]

I Have A Winchester and Marlin old rifles Both always thought the Henry was the best looking

[@chrisnewport7826]

Imagine cavalry with Henry's

[@Radesman-df3]

I like ur Videos u Got support Of me (From serbia)

[@bonaventura5151]

Will there be a movie about gibbs?

[@capandball]

Yes, it will cover both the .40 and .45 cal version. There are Giibs long range shooting info in this film: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y6rTenifls1mi5o

[@bonaventura5151]

@@capandball Thank you.

[@fhorst41]

What is that eye piece?

[@capandball]

Shooters glasses. The little aperture in front of your eye increases the sharpness of your sight in short ranges. An excellent aid.

[@fhorst41]

@@capandball I've never seen them used before. Thank you.

[@NORTH_CAROLINA_REAPER]

I don't want to sit here and yell "ooo pick me pick me!" But you should very seriously consider looking into a swivel breech rifle. They look very interesting but I don't quite know what kind of person could have used these and when. I figured you were the best source.

[@alfredmarguet9008]

👏👏👏👏excellent

[@556suppressor]

A company should make a wood handguard for this rifle. It would look nice.

[@baneofbanes]

Buddy that’s what a 1866 Winchester is.

[@СергейПанюков-к9д]

Great 👍 ❤

[@tobyhorn9641]

Why thay come in 45long colt

[@baneofbanes]

Because that’s the most common “cowboy” pistol cartridge on the market.

[@tobyhorn9641]

@@baneofbanes Tru but that would be easier to get wouldn't it

[@ulpiotraiano3374]

That bloody Yankee rifle that you load on monday and can shoot all week!!

[@Purvis-dw4qf]

I have read that the Native Americans learn how to reload the 44 rimfire round.

[@daviddavis7136]

Whitworth is Barrett of the civil war

[@The_Conspiracy_Analyst]

🙂

[@mikekling4605]

80 dollars in the 1860’s was equivalent to around 3k dollars, today..

[@markstambaugh3273]

I never shoot at an official licensed range.

[@Tammy-un3ql]

👌👌👌👌

[@jim99west46]

Captured Henrys were used by most of Jefferson Davis bodyguards.

[@capandball]

As it is mentioned in the video.

[@mwmwmwmwmmdw]

is this that damn yankee rifle you load on sunday and shoot all week

[@Hammerli280]

It is.

[@torqueguy1]

I believe it was The Spencer but I slept in a Marriott last night

[@krockpotbroccoli65]

Just a little too new, fragile, complicated and expensive. Cartridge technology was brand new and not really up to the task of warfare. Muzzleloaders were at their apex and were a trusted, cheap and reliable system. I think if the civil war happened just 10-20 years later, we would have seen mass issue of lever action rifles, as well as cartridge revolvers. But in the 1860s, the technology and economy of scale just wasnt quite ready.

[@baneofbanes]

Multiple cartridge guns saw extensive and successful use during the war. That’s why the military moved to cartridge guns immediately after the war ended.

[@kennardjohnson7875]

A true Henry is 44 rimfire,ammunition is unubtanium.

[@nilsg.nelson-molin1170]

Uh, the word, "ordinance", refers to a rule right between"law' and 'regulation" , to which a violation is called an "infraction", and is usually on the order of a "city ordinance".. I believe the word you wanted was"ordnance"-a collective term for military shells, ammunition, etc.

[@capandball]

Please never forget you are watching a channel in Hunglish language. My pronunciation will never be perfect. Consider it a special dialect. :)

[@hillbilly4christ638]

That damned yankee rifle.