If you’re well versed in firearm history, then you might be familiar with what is often called ” The first assault rifle! , the infamous Henry Repeating Rifle!

Brass-Framed Henry 1860 – .44 Rimfire.
Although the rifle was patented in 1860, and started production until 1862, the concept of a repeating firearm was along MUCH before that, the pioneer of the idea being The Volcanic Repeater.

Volcanic Repeater Rifle & Pistol – .41 Volcanic
These were a short-lived series of American repeating firearms produced from 1855 to 1856 by the Volcanic Repeating Arms Company. The direct ancestor to the Henry rifle, the Volcanic guns were an attempt to solve the problems with needle rifles; while a sound concept, the guns were not commercially successful and led the Volcanic company to bankrupcy.
Based on the Volition repeatier designed by Walter Hunt in 1848, the Volcanic guns were designed and patented in 1854 as an attempt to solve the problems with needle guns, along with allowing Hunt to develop his rocket ball ammunition further.
When in production, the weapon was one of the most innovative weapons for its time; it had a very high rate of fire, a higher capacity compared to its contemporaries and its waterproof ammunition. However, the weapon had some shortcomings: the weapon was prone to gas leakage around the breech, multiple misfires and malfunctions and most notably, its rocket ball ammunition being grossly underpowered when compared to its contemporaries, with muzzle energy at a rather unimpressive 56 foot-pounds (76 joules)
Even if it was originally a failure, the design was very much the inspiration for the 1860 Henry.
Now, you may be asking yourself: “Well, Why didnt the Union adopt the rifle? They could easily mass produce it!”
And the answer is… very complex…
First off, the rifle was MASSIVELY underpowered, it’s 44. RF round not being able to kill a man with a single shot, let alone a horse.
Secondly, The fact that it had NO barrel guard meant that you had to wear a thick glove on your left hand if you wanted to fire it without it burning you (because yes, it WILL burn the shit out of you.)
And third, The Spencer Repeater was not only much more powerful, but also much more accurate, and reliable, leading to it’s adoption by The Union Army, making it the first mass issued repeater ever adopted by an army.
Even IF it ended up being a total success in the civilian market, in the end it was rapidly replaced by the 1866 Yellowboy Winchester, marking the end of the Henry Rifle.

Winchester 1866 “Yellow Boy” Rifle – .44 RF.