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New Haven Arms Henry Lever Action Rifle

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:0.00 USD Estimated At:14,000.00 - 22,500.00 USD
New Haven Arms Henry Lever Action Rifle
Henry lever action rifle manufactured by the New Haven Arms Company in March 1863. Rifle has the early style receiver with rear sight dovetail and early style buttplate with round heel. The rifle was originally fitted with a special order sling swivel on the left side of the butt and sling loop on the left side of the barrel. The barrel has a replacement brass pin front sight and a fixed, buckhorn, rear sight mounted in the barrel dovetail. A steel blank is fitted in the receiver dovetail. A folding peep rear sight is mounted in a dovetail cut into the receiver tang. The rifle has a brass receiver and buttplate with octagon barrel with integral magazine. The walnut stock has an oil finish. The top barrel flat is roll-stamped with the two-line legend: "HENRY'S PATENT. OCTOBER. 16. 1860/MANUFACT'D BY THE NEWHAVEN ARMS. CO. NEWHAVEN. CT." ahead of the rear sight. The serial number, "1804" is stamped on the top barrel flat between the rear sight and the receiver. The inside of the buttplate is serial numbered "3200" and the shanks of the buttplate screws are hand-stamped with the serial numbers: "1951" and "1738". The stock could not be removed to view the receiver and stock serial numbers.
BBL: 24 inch
Stock: walnut
Gauge: 44 Henry RF
Finish: blue
Grips:
Serial Number: 1804
Condition: Period refinished. The barrel has been browned and shows scattered light pitting beneath the finish. The edges of the barrel are slightly rounded. The barrel legend and serial number are sharp. The holes for the sling loop in the left side of the barrel have not been filled and the screw in the right side of the barrel below the barrel sleeve is missing. The receiver is in very good condition. The brass has not been polished and has an attractive patina. The side plate joints show some removal marks but fit well. Receiver wear is limited to several shallow scratches on the upper edge of the right side plate. The trigger and hammer have been re-blued and the loading lever has a deep copper finish. The folding rear sight is blued and appears to be a period modification. The stock has been refinished and is in good condition with minimal handling marks. The sling swivel on the left side of the stock has been replaced with a contrasting wooden insert. The brass buttplate has the same age patina as the receiver. A small "C" sub-inspection mark is stamped on the right side of the buttplate heel. The action requires repair; the hammer will not remain in the cocked position when the lever is cycled. The rifle presents a very attractive appearance and is a solid example of an early production Henry rifle. Nearly all of the Henry rifles manufactured during 1862, 1863 and 1864 were privately purchased by Federal soldiers and saw service during the Civil War.