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Historic and Phenomenally Well Documented Indian War Veteran John Haag's Henry Lever Action Rifle wi

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military / Long Guns - Rifles Start Price:32,500.00 USD Estimated At:65,000.00 - 110,000.00 USD
Historic and Phenomenally Well Documented Indian War Veteran John Haag's Henry Lever Action Rifle wi
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Historic and Phenomenally Well Documented Indian War Veteran John Haag's Henry Lever Action Rifle with Extensive Provenance

Henry lever action rifle manufactured by the New Haven Arms Company in November 1864. The rifle falls within the serial number range (7000-8000) of the 500 Henry rifles purchased by the Ordnance Department on April 7, 1865, to arm the 3rd U.S. Veteran Volunteer Infantry (USVVI) Regiment. However the serial number 7066 is not one of the serial numbers of the 3rd USVVI Henry rifle listed on page 75 of "THE HISTORIC HENRY RIFLE" by Wiley Sword. The extensive documentation that accompanies the rifle indicates that it was purchased from the direct descendants of John Haag. John Haag was a veteran of the Indian Wars who served in the 1st Infantry Regiment from 1875-1880. In a copy of the In Great Fall Tribune Newspaper dated July 25, 1931 (which accompanies this rifle) the front page headline reads "JOHN HAAG, INDIAN FIGHTER, PIONEER OF FALLS, IS DEAD. The article details highlights of his service and states: "Mr. Haag took an active part in the campaign against the Northern Cheyenne and Sioux indians in Wyoming and in the hills of South Dakota. At one time he was under the command of Nelson A Miles: a prominent figure in northwest history. His company with others made one of the longest forced marches in the history of indian fighting." The article goes on to state; 'Mr. Haag also became acquainted with several well known western characters of the time including Calamity Jane and Wild Bill Hickok." In 1876 Haag participated in the Little Bighorn Campaign and was present at the Little Bighorn Battlefield on June 27th, 1876, when Generals Terry and Gibbon relieved the survivors of the 7th Cavalry commanded by Major Reno and Captain Benteen. Haag subsequently fought in the Nez Perce campaign under General Miles in 1879. Following his service in the Montana Territory, he served at Army forts and camps in Texas and the Southwest. After his discharge from the Army in 1887, Haag settled in Great Falls, Montana, where he worked as a cabinet maker and carpenter until his death in 1931. The documents included with the rifle do not disclose when Haag obtained this Henry rifle, serial number 7066. The rifle has the distinctive octagon barrel with integral 15-shot magazine and brass ('gunmetal') receiver and buttplate. The rifle has the later production features that include a sharply pointed buttplate heel, second style receiver without the alternate rear sight dovetail, second style barrel legend and large diameter magazine follower. The buttplate has a hinged trap door, the hammer spur has border-less knurling and the barrel has a nickel-silver front sight blade. The left side of the barrel and the straight grain, oil-finished American walnut stock are not fitted with the loop and sling swivel found on most late production Henry rifles. The barrel is fitted with the two-leaf rear sight from a Winchester Model 1866 carbine. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped with the larger, second style legend "HENRY'S PATENT. OCT. 16. 1860./MANUFACT'D BY THE NEWHAVEN ARMS CO. NEWHAVEN CT." with all Roman (serif) letters. The serial number. "7066" is stamped on (1) the top of the barrel between the rear sight and the receiver, (2) the left side of the lower tang, (3) the inside of the buttplate toe and (4) in the upper tang inlet of the stock. All of the visible serial numbers match. The late style, cap-head buttplate screws and tang screws are correctly not serial numbered. The initials "JER" are lightly inscribed on the bottom of the cartridge elevator in block letters. The rifle is accompanied by extensive documentation including Haag's service records and details of his life following his discharge from the Army.

Manufacture: New Haven Arms Co.
Model: Henry Rifle
BBL: 24 Inch
Stock: walnut
Gauge: 44 Henry RF
Finish: blue
Grips:
Serial Number: 7066

Very good plus. The rifle is in untouched, 'attic condition' and appears to be completely original except for the rear sight which is a period replacement. The barrel has a deep untouched patina. The surfaces of the barrel and magazine are generally smooth with sharp barrel edges, crisp serial number and New Haven Arms Co., legend. The brass receiver and buttplate have never been cleaned and have a dark patina with patches of age discoloration. The receiver and buttplate have scattered scratches and handling marks and the side plates show the usual removal marks. The stock is good with light-moderate handling wear including several shallow dents on the right side of the stock. This is a well documented, western associated Henry rifle owned by a soldier who took part in the Little Bighorn and Nez Perce campaigns.