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Rare Presentation Henry Rifle

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:25,000.00 USD Estimated At:30,000.00 - 50,000.00 USD
Rare Presentation Henry Rifle
Auction Location:

16600 Aston Street
Irvine, CA
Rare Presentation Henry Rifle, 20th Illinois Volunteer Infantry, #4876, .44 RF cal., 24'' blue barrel, brass frame and buttplate, case-hardened hammer and lever, 900-yard standard rear sight, with sling swivels. Barrel marked ''Henry's Patent-Oct. 15, 1860, Manufac'd by the New Haven Arms Company, New Haven, Ct.'' Brass plaque affixed to right side of buttstock reads ''Nick Denton to Kit Goodbrake''. Nick Denton refers to Nixon Denton, 1832-1878, who was the brother of Priv. Samuel Denton (later Sgt.), who served with great honor in the Civil War battles of Shiloh, Corinth, Vicksburg, and the Battle of Atlanta. Samuel Denton had been taken prisoner by the Confederates at one point, then turned the tables on his captors and captured them. He was promoted to Sergeant and then to Lieutenant for several acts of bravery as a sharpshooter at Big Sandy, GA, in 1864, and again while carrying the flag during the battle to Atlanta. Wounded on both occasions, he was attended!
to by Army Surgeon Christopher 'Kit' Goodbrake. Dr. Goodbrake was born in 1816 in Stuttgart, Germany, and migrated to the U.S. with his family in the early 1820s. Goodbrake lived his early years in Clinton, IL, and enlisted in the Union Army in 1861 as a Private at the age of 44. Soon recognized for his medical skills, he was promoted to Major of the 20th Illinois Volunteer Infantry. Later he advanced to become the Chief Surgeon, 3rd Div., 17th Army Corps. Research shows that the Dentons and the Goodbrakes, all hailing from Clinton, IL, were known to each other prior to the Civil War, becoming much more familiar during and after the cessation of hostilities. Nick Denton was instrumental in forming McGill, Denton & Co., which contracted to build the Dubuque & Sioux City and Minneapolis & St. Paul Railroads. This Henry rifle, #4876, was presented from Nick Denton to Kit Goodbrake between 1865-1875. It was presumed that the presentation was based upon the close friends!
hip of the Denton and Goodbrake families. Included with this !
historic
rifle is much documentation taken from the Dewitt County 1860 Census Index; History of Dewitt County, IL, 1882; Georgia Civil War History; Kennesaw Historical Society; Southern Museum of Civil War; and Denton genealogy. Mfg'd in approx. Sept. 1864, this rifle remains in fine original condition, with the addition of period presentation plaque in brass to right side of buttstock. Barrel shows overall moderately toning silvery gray finish with original blue in protected areas, beneath rear sight, and where barrel joins frame. Frame and buttplate show mellow toning mustard patina. Buttstock shows small bump to wood beneath sling swivel, scratches, impressions and darkening, with several professionally executed repairs near wrist. All metal-to-wood screws index correctly with impeccable fit. Action functions well, bore shows mild frosting in grooves. A wonderful piece of Civil War and Illinois State history. (Walt Hallstein collection) Est.: $30,000-$50,000.