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Engraved Henry Lever-Action Rifle

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:9,000.00 USD Estimated At:22,500.00 - 35,000.00 USD
Engraved Henry Lever-Action Rifle
New Haven Arms Henry rifle manufactured in March 1863. The rifle has the early style brass receiver with rear sight dovetail, early pattern brass buttplate and special order sling swivel on the left side of the stock and sling loop on the left side of the barrel. The barrel has a nickel-silver, square back, front sight and a dovetail mounted folding leaf rear sight with 900 yard center notch. A half-moon shaped loading lever latch is mounted on the lower receiver tang. The rifle has a blued barrel and magazine. The hammer and loading lever have a casehardened finish. The walnut stock has an oil 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." ahead of the rear sight. A serial number, "1700", is located on the top barrel flat between the rear sight and the receiver. The original serial number, "1889" is stamped on the left side of the of lower receiver tang, in the upper stock tang inlet and on the inside of the buttplate. The shanks of the buttplate screws are stamped with the partial serial number "889" and the shanks of the tang screws are stamped "18/89". The barrel number "1700" is stamped on the left side of the lower receiver tang ahead of the rifle serial number. The "H" inspection mark of B. Tyler Henry is stamped on the left side of the lower receiver tang. The rifle is complete with a four-piece, jointed, wooden cleaning rod. The receiver and top of the buttplate heel are custom-engraved. The well executed engraving is a close copy of the typical New Haven Arms factory engraving executed by Samuel Hodgson and illustrated on pages 24 and 25 of "THE BOOK OF WINCHESTER ENGRAVING" by R.L. Wilson. The engraving features large scrolls on a punch-dot background with large flowers on the receiver in front of the side plates and a hound on point on the left side plate. The engraving extends to the top of the receiver, upper tang and buttplate heel.
BBL: 24 inch
Stock: walnut
Gauge: 44 Henry RF
Finish: brass
Grips:
Serial Number: 1889/1700
Condition: Fine as custom embellished/refurbished. The barrel has an old lacquer finish and shows moderate handling wear. The barrel legend and serial number markings are sharp. The casehardened hammer and lever have a mottled gray finish. The brass receiver and buttplate have been polished but are developing a mellow patina. The engraving is crisp and deep. The stock has been refinished and shows only very minor and scattered handling wear. Although the barrel appears to be a replacement the rifle has an excellent appearance. The engraving is well executed and very similar to original Samuel Hodgson work. This is a good example of a brass frame Henry rifle.