3288

Civil War New Haven Arms Co. Henry Lever Action Rifle

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:9,000.00 USD Estimated At:NA
Civil War New Haven Arms Co. Henry Lever Action Rifle
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Estimate: $22500 - 35000
This is a solid example of a Henry lever action rifle that was manufactured by the New Haven Arms Co., in 1864. The rifle has a blued octagon barrel with integral 15-shot magazine, brass receiver and buttplate and oil-finished walnut stock. The hammer and loading lever have a color casehardened finish. The barrel has a nickel-silver, square back front sight and dovetail mounted, folding leaf rear sight. The rear sight is the fourth variation (Quick p. 122) with 900 yard center notch and and elevation bar retaining screw at the top of the leaf. The brass receiver is the second patter which lacks the alternate rear sight dovetail found on Henry receivers to about serial number 3100. The brass buttplate is the later pattern with sharply pointed heel that was introduced about serial number 5100. The buttplate has has a hinged trap. The stock and barrel are not fitted with sling swivels; sling swivels were not made standard on Henry rifles until mid-late 1864. The top barrel flat is roll-stamped with the larger, late style, two-line legend: "HENRY'S PATENT. OCT. 16. 1860 / MANUFACT'D. BY THE NEWHAVEN ARMS.CO.NEWHAVEN.CT." ahead of the rear sight. The second style legend is lightly larger than the early legend and all of the letters are identical. The serial number, "5467" is stamped on the top barrel flat between the rear sight dovetail and the receiver and on the lower left receiver tang underneath the stock. The serial number, "5467" is also stamped in the upper tang inlet of the stock and on the inside of the buttplate near the toe. All of the visible serial numbers match. The buttplate has the later style cap screws which are, correctly, not serial numbered. A small "H" is stamped on the lower tang behind the tang screw indicating that the rifle was inspected by B. Tyler Henry. Although only 1,731Henry rifles were purchased by the Ordnance Department during the Civil War, experts believe that most of the Henry rifles manufactured between 1862 and 1865 were privately purchased by soldiers during the war. Large number of Henry rifles were purchased by federal soldiers from Illinois, Indiana and Kentucky during the last two years of the war and Henry rifles were popular with soldiers in other midwestern regiments. After the war the Henry rifle was very popular on the western frontier. As a result, most war-time production Henry rifles show the effects of hard use. High condition examples of Henry rifles manufactured between 1862 and 1865 are difficult to find.
BBL: 24 inch
Stock: walnut
Gauge: 44 Henry RF
Finish: blue/brass
Grips:
Serial Number: 5467
Condition: Very good plus. This rifle is a nice original Civil War Henry rifle and retains all of the correct components. The barrel has a smooth, gray brown patina with traces of the original blue finish in protected areas. The bore is bright which is unusual for a Henry rifle. The barrel legend and serial number are crisp. The rear sight is in fine condition with no pitting and traces of the niter blue finish in protected areas. The hammer and lever have a smooth brown patina. The brass receiver and buttplate has a very attractive mustard yellow patina. The receiver has no significant handling wear. The sideplate joints are very fine. The buttplate is in the same excellent condition as the receiver. The stock is in very fine condition. The 'Henry bump' is visible on the left side of the stock (this is where, during the manufacturing process, a raised bump was accidently created on the exterior left side of the buttstock due to drilling the cleaning rod slot). Nearly all of the original oil finish is intact. Wear is limited to some very minor handling and storage marks. This is a very fine example of a Civil War production Henry rifle that would be a stand-out piece in any Civil War or Winchester rifle collection.