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Very Rare New Haven Arms Co., Henry Rifle with Sword Bayonet Lug

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:10,000.00 USD Estimated At:NA
Very Rare New Haven Arms Co., Henry Rifle with Sword Bayonet Lug
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Estimate: $25000 - 45000
This unique Henry lever-action rifle was manufactured by the New Haven Arms Co., in 1862. This rifle is one of a very small number of Henry rifles that are known to have been fitted with a lug on the right side of the barrel shroud to mount a sword bayonet. Page 112 of "THE AMERICAN BAYONET 1776-1964" by A. N. Harden Jr. has a photograph of the brass hilt sword bayonet made for the Henry rifle and the special lug used to mount the bayonet. The description of the bayonet states that Henry rifle serial number 683 is fitted with a bayonet lug like the one shown on page 112. The bayonet lug shown in "THE AMERICAN BAYONET" appears to be identical to the lug on this rifle. Page 33 of "THE HISTORIC HENRY RIFLE" by Wiley Sword has a photograph of a sword bayonet with cast brass hilt that was fitted to some Henry rifles. This first style rifle has a brass receiver with rear sight dove-tail, early style buttplate with rounded heel and early, small diameter brass magazine follower. The barrel has a nickel-silver front sight blade and a dove-tail mounted, folding leaf rear sight with 1000 yard center notch. The walnut stock has a high polish varnish finish. The rifle is not fitted with a sling swivel and loop for sling hook which were special order items on early production Henry rifles. 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." ahead of the rear sight. The legend is the smaller early style with "NEW HAVEN" in block letters. The serial number, "623" is stamped on the top of the barrel between the rear sight and the receiver. The serial number "623" is also stamped on the inside of the buttplate heel and on the shanks of both hand-fitted buttplate screws. A small "B" factory inspection mark is stamped on the lower tang behind the rear tang screw. This rifle has the early, hand-fitted, tang screws. The tang screws could not be removed to examine the serial numbers on the receiver tang, stock and tang screws. The butt trap contains the four-piece, jointed, hickory cleaning rod furnished with early Henry rifles.
BBL: 24 inch
Stock: walnut
Gauge: 44 Henry RF
Finish: blue
Grips:
Serial Number: 623
Condition: Fine. The rifle is completely original and exhibits minimal handling wear. The barrel has a very attractive, deep brown, patina. The bayonet lug has the same patina as the barrel. The surfaces of the barrel and bayonet lug are free from pitting and the edges are sharp. The barrel markings and serial number are crisp. The hammer has traces of the original casehardened finish. The loading lever and trigger have an even brown patina. The brass receiver and buttplate have 80% of a gold colored lacquer present. The side plate joints are tight and there is no indication that the side plates have ever been removed from the rifle. The receiver and buttplate have only scattered and very minor handling marks. There is a large area of discoloration around the upper front tang screw. The stock is in very fine condition and retains nearly 90% of the original varnished, 'piano', finish. Wear is limited to some very minor handling marks on the lower portion of the stock and a 3/4-inch age crack at the toe of the stock. The bore is bright and the bolt has most of the original polished finish. This is a unique example of a early production Henry rifle with a barrel-mounted lug for a sword bayonet.