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Historic Civil War 7th Illinois Infantry Inscribed Henry Lever Action Rifle

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:10,000.00 USD Estimated At:25,000.00 - 50,000.00 USD
Historic Civil War 7th Illinois Infantry Inscribed Henry Lever Action Rifle
This is an example of an identified New Haven Arms Co., Henry Rifle that was manufactured in May 1864. The left side plate is engraved with the period, two-line, inscription: "Robert Spears / Co. A. 7th Ill. V.V.I.". This late configuration rifle has a blued barrel and integral 16-shot magazine. The barrel has a nickel-silver, half-moon, front sight and dove tail mounted folding rear sight with 900 yard center notch. The frame and buttplate are brass. The buttplate has the late pattern pointed heel introduced around serial number 4000. The left side of the stock and barrel are fitted with a special order sling swivel and sling hook loop. The walnut stock has a varnish "piano" finish. The top barrel flat is roll-stamped with the two-line legend: "HENRY'S PATENT. OCT.16. 1860/MANUFACT'D BY THE NEWHAVEN ARMS CO. NEWHAVEN. CT." in two lines ahead of the rear sight. The serial number, "5157" is stamped on the top barrel flat between the rear sight and the frame. The serial number is also visible on the left side of the lower receiver tang and in the upper tang inlet of the stock (the buttplate could not be removed for inspection). All of the visible serial numbers match. The late, cap-head, buttplate screws and tang screws are correctly not serial numbered. The front sight collar and the nickel-sliver front sight are modern replacements. Extensive documentation with the rifle indicates that Robert Spears enlisted in the 7th Illinois Infantry Regiment in Mound City, Illinois in 1861. Spears served in Company A and re-enlisted as a veteran volunteer on December 22, 1863. He was mustered out of the service on July 9, 1865, in Louisville, Kentucky. A pension application included in the documentation states that Pvt. Spears was wounded in the left side, left arm and left leg during his service with the 7th Illinois. The 7th Illinois Infantry was armed with several hundred privately purchased Henry rifles in 1864 (a famous picture of the 7th Illinois color guard shows at least five Henry rifles). On October 4, 1864, at Altoona Pass, Georgia, the Henry rifles of the 7th Illinois Infantry played a decisive role in the defeat of a Confederate Corps by the heavily outnumbered Federal garrison. The 7th Illinois Infantry was part of the Army of Tennessee and participated in the capture of Forts Henry and Donelson, the battles of Shiloh, Corinth, Altoona Pass, Bentonville and numerous smaller engagements and participated the General William T. Sherman's "March to the Sea". The regiment lost 8 Officers and 81 Enlisted men killed in action or mortally wounded and 3 Officers and 174 Enlisted men died of disease.
BBL: 24 Inch
Stock: walnut
Gauge: 44 Henry
Finish: blue
Grips:
Serial Number: 5157
Condition: Very good plus. The rifle shows the service wear expected of a weapon that was used in active service during the Civil War, but remains in solid original overall condition. The inscription shows the same wear as the rest of the frame and is clearly original to the rifle. With the exception of the front sight base, the rifle appears to be completely original and has not been cleaned or restored. The barrel has an attractive deep brown patina with a light age texture. The barrel markings and serial number are clearly legible. The brass frame and buttplate also have an attractive, dark, untouched, mustard yellow patina. The frame and buttplate have numerous light handling marks. There are disassembly marks on the side plate edges. The hammer and loading lever have a dark patina with some light pitting. The stock is in good overall condition with no cracks or damage. It has not been sanded or repaired. The stock has numerous minor handling marks but has an attractive patina and retains traces of the original varnish finish. This is an outstanding example of a Civil War Henry rifle from the famous 7th Illinois Infantry with solid and extensive documentation. This weapon almost certainly saw action at Altoona Pass, the decisive battle most closely associated with the Henry rifle.