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Civil War New Haven Arms Company Henry Lever-Action Rifle

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:5,000.00 USD Estimated At:16,000.00 - 22,500.00 USD
Civil War New Haven Arms Company Henry Lever-Action Rifle
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Estimate: $16000 - 22500
Manufacturer: New Haven Arms Co. Model: Henry Rifle
This is an example of a Henry lever-action rifle that was manufactured by the New Haven Arms Company in 1864. This rifle is in the serial number range of the 800 Henry rifles purchased by the Ordnance Department in December 1863 for issue to the 1st District of Columbia Cavalry (3,000-4,000). The rifle is consecutively serial numbered to Henry rifle no. 3878 which is listed on page 75 of "THE HISTORIC HENRY RIFLE" by Wiley Sword as issued to the 3rd Regiment U.S. Veteran Volunteer Infantry in 1865. However, the rifle is not stamped with "CGC" Ordnance inspection mark located on the right side of the barrel and right side of the stock wrist on the 800 U.S. Henry rifles purchased under the December 31, 1863, Ordnance Department contract. The rifle also lacks the "HH" factory inspection marks typically stamped on right side of receiver and adjacent portion of the barrel on U.S. contract Henry rifles. This rifle has the distinctive Henry octagon barrel with integral 15-shot magazine, brass receiver and crescent brass buttplate. The barrel has a nickel-silver square-back front sight blade and a dovetail mounted folding leaf rear sight with a 1,000 yard center notch and stop screw on the right side of the sight leaf. The second style receiver lacks the alternate rear sight dovetail found on Henry rifles below serial number 3,000. The receiver has a non-factory hole in both sides near the rear of the ejection port and the upper tang is drilled and tapped. The rifle has the early style buttplate with rounded heel used to about serial number 4,000. The straight grain black walnut stock is not fitted with a sling swivel. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped with the two-line legend "HENRY'S PATENT. OCT.16.1860/MANUFACT'D BY THE NEWHAVEN ARMS. CO. NEWHAVEN. CT.". The legend is the second style with all serifed letters; both lines have been double stamped (factory error!). The serial number "3877" is stamped on the top of the barrel between the rear sight and the receiver, on the lower left side of the receiver tang, in the upper tang inlet of the stock, on the inside of the buttplate and on the shanks of both hand-fitted buttplate screws. All of the visible serial numbers match. The Federal government purchased 1,100 Henry rifles (including the 800 rifles in the December 31, 1863 contract) to arm the 1st D.C. Cavalry. An additional 627 Henry rifles were purchased by the Ordnance Department in 1865 to arm the 3rd Veteran Volunteer Infantry. Most of the commercial production Henry rifles were purchased by individual Federal soldiers who wanted the unsurpassed firepower of the 15-shot Henry rifle. Privately purchased Henry rifles were especially popular with Illinois, Indiana and Kentucky soldiers serving with the Army of the Cumberland. Includes four piece correct style modern reproduction cleaning rod.
BBL: 24 inch octagon
Stock: walnut
Gauge: 44 Henry RF
Finish: blue
Grips:
Serial Number: 3877
Condition:
Good. The blue finish on the barrel has aged to a smooth gray-brown patina. The barrel edges are slightly rounded from handling and there are scattered minor dents and scratches on the barrel and integral magazine. The barrel legend and serial number are clear. The brass receiver and buttplate are both in good overall condition and have an attractive "mustard" yellow patina. The receiver has two small non-factory holes (one on each side), a number of minor dents and scratches, and there are some blemishes on the edges of the lightly dinged, once removed side plates. The tang is tapped for a sight which is now absent. Traces of the original casehardened finish are present on the hammer and lever. The stock is in good overall condition with moderate handling wear. This is a good example of an early 1864 production commercial Henry rifle that was probably used in the Civil War.