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Early Civil War New Haven Arms Co., Henry Lever Action Rifle in 66th Illinois Serial Number Range

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:8,000.00 USD Estimated At:NA
Early Civil War New Haven Arms Co., Henry Lever Action Rifle in 66th Illinois Serial Number Range
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Estimate: $16000 - 25000
This Henry lever action rifle was manufactured by the New Haven Arms Co., in February 1863. The rifle has the first pattern brass receiver with rear sight dovetail and early style brass buttplate with rounded heel. The rifle barrel has a nickel-silver front sight blade and a dovetail mounted folding leaf rear sight graduated to 900 yards. The walnut stock has a varnish finish. A factory sling swivel is mounted on the left side of the stock and a factory loop for a sling hook is mounted on the left side of the barrel. The top barrel flat is roll-stamped with the two-line legend: "HENRY'S PATENT. OCT. 16. 1860/MANUFACT'D"D BY THE NEWHAVEN. ARMS. CO. NEWHAVEN.CT." ahead of the rear sight. The legend is the early, smaller style with the second "NEWHAVEN" in block letters and the remainder of the address in serifed letters. The serial number, "1646" is located on the top of the barrel between the rear sight dove-tail and the receiver. Serial number "1646" is stamped on the inside of the buttplate below the lower screw hole and on the shanks of both of the hand-fitted buttplate screws. The serial number is visible on the shank of the lower and rear upper tang screws (the upper tang screw could not be removed to view the serial number on the lower receiver tang and stock). All of the visible serial numbers match. The 15-shot Henry rifle was the most advanced rifle available during the Civil War. Experts believe that most of the Henry rifles manufactured by the New Haven Arms co., between June 1862 and April 1865 were privately purchased by Federal soldiers who wanted the firepower of a 15-shot repeating rifle. Henry rifles were especially popular with soldiers in Illinois, Indiana and Kentucky regiments. The 66th Illinois Infantry (Western Sharpshooters) had approximately 250 privately purchased Henry rifles. Many of these rifles were purchased in May 1863 and are in the 1600-2200 serial number range. Henry rifle serial numbers 1606, 1614, 1639, 1672 and 1692 have been identified as being used by members of the 66th Illinois Infantry. A large number of Henry rifles were also purchased by the 7th Illinois Infantry and a well known photograph shows the entire color guard of the 7th Illinois armed with Henry rifles. The serial number of this rifle, "1646", is well within the range of known 66th Illinois Henry rifles and there is a high possibility this rifle saw action in an Illinois infantry unit during the Civil War.
BBL: 24 inch
Stock: walnut
Gauge: 44 Henry RF
Finish: blue/brass
Grips:
Serial Number: 1646
Condition: Very good. The rifle shows use but remains in solid, original condition. The front sight blade is a period replacement; all other components appear to be original to the rifle. The barrel and integral magazine have a very attractive, dark brown, patina. The surfaces of the barrel/magazine are smooth and free from pitting and the edges are sharp. The New Haven Arms Co., legend and serial number are crisp. The rear sight is original to the rifle and the 100 yard aperture has a period modification to improve the sight picture. The brass receiver and buttplate have not been polished and have a good looking patina that takes many years to acquire. The sides and top of the receiver have some minor dents and scratches; primarily on the upper edges of the side plates. The letter "A" is lightly scratched on the left side plate; this was obviously done during the period of use and is typical of soldier-applied markings found on Civil War weapons. The buttplate has some insignificant dents and scratches. The hammer and loading lever have the same dark brown patina as the barrel. The walnut stock is in good overall condition and retains a substantial amount of the original varnish finish, the stock shows moderate handling wear. Minor scratches and dents are concentrated on the comb, the lower portion of the stock between the lower tang and the buttplate and the wrists. The stock shows the handling wear that is typical of military weapons that saw combat use. This is a solid original example of an early production Henry rifle that falls within the serial number range of rifles known to have been purchased by the 66th Illinois Infantry and carried in the Atlanta Campaign.