3000

Spectacular Civil War New Haven Arms Co. Henry Lever Action Rifle

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:16,000.00 USD Estimated At:40,000.00 - 60,000.00 USD
Spectacular Civil War New Haven Arms Co. Henry Lever Action Rifle
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Estimate: $40000 - 60000
This fine Henry lever action rifle was manufactured in May 1864 by the New Haven Arms Co. The rifle has the distinctive octagon barrel with integral 15-shot magazine and brass frame. The barrel is fitted with a nickel-silver front sight blade and dovetail mounted, folding leaf, rear sight with 900 yard center notch. The rifle has the second pattern frame introduced about serial number 3000 that lacks the alternative rear sight dovetail found on early production rifles. The brass buttplate is the second pattern with pointed heel that was found on Henry rifles with serial numbers above 4000. The left side of the stock has a factory sling swivel and the left side of the barrel has a factory fitted sling loop. The blue finish on the barrel has faded to a brown patina, the hammer and loading lever are color casehardened and the walnut stock is varnished with a high polish 'piano' finish. 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." ahead of the rear sight. The serial number, "5313" is located on: (1) the top barrel flat between the rear sight and the frame, (2) the inside of the buttplate, (3) the upper tang inlet of the stock and (4) the left side of the lower tang. All of the visible serial numbers match. The late style buttplate and tang screws are, correctly, not serial numbered. The rifle is complete with the four-piece, jointed steel, cleaning rod with brass tip that was carried in the butt trap of later production Henry rifles. Oliver Winchester initially had difficulty attracting buyers for the Henry lever action rifle; the Federal government purchased only about 1700 of these advanced rifles during the Civil War and commercial sales were limited until about 1864. However, sales of Henry rifles increased dramatically in 1864 and 1865 when individual Federal soldiers, primarily from Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky and Michigan, purchased Henry rifles with re-enlistment bounties. By the end of the Civil War, several Federal regiments, including the 7th and 66th Illinois Volunteer Infantry, were armed primarily with privately purchased Henry rifles.
BBL: 24 inch octagon
Stock: walnut
Gauge: 44 Henry RF
Finish: blue
Grips:
Serial Number: 5313
Condition: Very fine. The barrel has strong even traces of bright original blue with the balance a very attractive plum brown patina with smooth metal surfaces, sharp edges and crisp markings. The brass frame and buttplate have not been polished and have a handsome untouched "MUSTARD YELLOW" patina. The frame is in excellent condition with sharp edges and no significant nicks or scratches. The side plates are tight with perfect joints and do not appear to have ever been removed from the rifle. The buttplate is in the same excellent condition as the frame. The casehardened finish on the hammer and loading lever has aged to a mellow gray-brown patina. The fine stock has been lightly refinished and retains most of the high polish varnish finish with very minimal handling wear. The rear ladder sight retains 50% of the original niter blue. This is a spectacular example of a Civil War production Henry lever action rifle that shows only careful handling wear.