I know they existed at the time, but they would be pretty rare - and especially rare out west, no?
I want the doctor to take your picture so I can look at you from inside as well.
load it once and it shoots all week
In 1863 at least 3000 Henry Repeating rifles had been issued to the Federals.
shareRight, but they had been issued to Federals fighting in the Civil War. In the east.
Not to a guy 1000 miles away from the fighting. In the west.
I want the doctor to take your picture so I can look at you from inside as well.
It might have been his own rifle. I think officers often acquired their own weapons of choice during the Civil War. Not sure, though.
shareIf Dunbar had wanted a Henry, he would have been able to find one before heading west.
"It ain't dying I'm talking about, it's LIVING!"
Captain Augustus McCrae
There were thousands of Henry repeating rifles by 1863. And he had exhibited an act of extreme bravery and was given his choice of posts. it is perfectly likely he could have been able to get a henry rifle as well.
shareIn addition to the previous responses, I would like to add that he had an entire fort's arsenal of weapons from which to choose. If he didn't bring a Henry west with him, it's conceivable that there was one among the many weapons available to him at the fort.
shareExactly.
Entropy ain't what it used to be.