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Extremely Rare Original Iron Frame Henry Rifle

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:47,500.00 USD Estimated At:95,000.00 - 140,000.00 USD
Extremely Rare Original Iron Frame Henry Rifle
This fine, totally original example of a very rare Iron frame Henry lever action rifle was manufactured by the New Haven Arms Co. in early 1862. The New Haven Arms Co., manufactured approximately 200 Henry rifles with iron frames during the first three months of production in April-June 1862. Author Wiley Sword identified 85 iron frame Henry rifles in "THE HISTORIC HENRY RIFLE". This rifle, serial number, 131, is included in that list. The rifle has a blued octagon barrel and integral magazine. The iron receiver, buttplate, hammer and loading lever have a casehardened finish. The walnut stock has a varnished "piano" finish. The rifle has the early pattern receiver with rear sight dovetail. The barrel has an alternate rear sight dovetail and half-moon shaped, nickel-silver, front sight. A folding leaf rear sight with 1000 yard center notch is mounted in the receiver dovetail. The buttplate has the rounded heel found on early production Henry rifles and is fitted with a iron butt trap. The loading lever is the early pattern with no spur and the lower tang lacks the loading lever latch found on later production rifles. The stock and barrel are not fitted the sling swivel and loop which were special order features on early Henry rifles, "HENRY'S PATENT. OCT. 16. 1860/MANUFACT'D BY THE NEWHAVEN ARMS.CO. NEWHAVEN. CT." is roll-stamped in two lines on the top barrel flat in of the rear sight dovetail. The serial number, "131", is located on the top barrel flat behind the sight dovetail and the receiver. The full serial number is also stamped on the left side of the lower receiver tang, in the upper tang inlet of the stock, on the inside of the buttplate heel and on the shanks on the hand-fitted buttplate and tang screws. All of the visible serial numbers match.
BBL: 24 inch octagon
Stock: walnut
Gauge: 44 Henry RF
Finish: casehardened
Grips:
Serial Number: 131
Condition: Fine. The rifle is completely original, and retains 30% plus of the original blue and casehardened finish. The rifle shows careful handling wear. The barrel has a bright original blue with the balance smooth, plum brown, very attractive patina. The edges of the flats are sharp. The barrel has no pitting and retains traces of the original blue finish in protected areas. The New Haven Arms legend and serial number are crisp. The casehardened iron frame has a brown patina with traces of the original mottled case colors. The frame and side plates have some scattered, minor, surface discoloration. There are some minor dents on the upper edge of the left side plate. There are some minor scratches and dents along the edges of the side plates. The side plate edges show old and very minor removal marks. There is some surface discoloration and vey minor pitting on the hammer and loading lever. The iron buttplate has the same mottled brown patina as the frame. The stock is in very fine condition and retains nearly 85% of the original high polish finish with scattered light handling marks. The bore is bright and in excellent condition for a Henry rifle. The iron frame Henry rifle is the rarest and most desirable of all Henry rifle variations. This is only the third iron frame Henry rifle offered for auction by the Rock Island Auction Company in seventeen years of operation. This is a extremely rare rifle in outstanding original condition.