Outstanding Civil War New Haven Arms Co. Henry Lever Action Rifle This exceptional original Henry lever action rifle was manufactured by the New Haven Arms Co. early in 1863. The rifle has the distinctive octagon barrel with integral 15-shot magazine and brass receiver and buttplate. The rifle has the first style receiver with rear sight dovetail manufactured until late 1863 and first style brass buttplate with rounded heel. The barrel has a square-back, nickel silver, front sight blade. The barrel-mounted, folding leaf rear sight is the third pattern with 900 yard center notch and no elevator bar screw stop-screw. The magazine has the second style, large diameter follower with beveled receiver follower slot. The hammer has border-less, hand-cut knurling on the spur. The butt trap contains a four-piece, jointed, steel cleaning rod with steel tip. The rifle lacks the sling swivel and screw-mounted loop which were extra cost items in 1863 and did not become standard features on Henry rifles until 1864. The top barrel flat is roll-stamped with the first style legend: "HENRY'S PATENT. OCT. 16. 1860/MANUFACT'D BY THE NEWHAVEN ARMS. CO. NEWHAVEN. CT." in two lines ahead of the rear sight. This first style legend utilized serif (Roman) letters for the all the legend except the final "NEWHAVEN" which was stamped in block letters. The second style legend adopted in 1864 utilized all serif letters. The serial number, "2043", is stamped: (1) on the top barrel flat behind the rear sight dovetail, (2) on the lower left side of the receiver tang, (3) in the upper tang inlet of the stock, (4) on the shanks of all three tang screws, and (5) on the shank of the lower buttplate screw. The upper buttplate screw could not be removed and the serial numbers on that screw and the inside of the buttplate could not be examined. However, the upper buttplate screw is properly indexed and does not appear to have ever been removed from the rifle. Based on the overall condition of the rifle and the matching serial numbers on all of the other components, it is almost certain that the buttplate and upper buttplate screw are correctly serial numbered "2043". The "W" inspection mark utilized by Oliver Winchester is stamped on the bottom of the lower tang behind the lever latch. The barrel/magazine and bolt are blued, the hammer, lever and trigger are color casehardened, and the receiver and buttplate have the natural brass finish. The straight grain American walnut stock has the varnished, piano finish found on early Henry rifles. Although the Henry rifle was the most advanced rifle manufactured during the Civil War, Oliver Winchester had limited success marketing the rifle to the Ordnance Department. However, the Henry rifle was favorably received by Federal soldiers who appreciated the firepower offered by the 15-shot, lever-action, repeating rifle. The Henry rifle was especially popular with soldiers from Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky who purchased many Henry rifles from New Haven Arms Co., dealers located in Illinois,, Kentucky and Ohio. By the end of the war significant numbers of Federal regiments were partially armed with privately purchased Henry rifles. Experts believe that most of the regular production Henry rifles manufactured between the start of Henry rifle production by the New Haven Arms Co., in April 1862 and the end of the Civil War in April 1865 were purchased by individual soldiers who were willing to pay for the firepower offered by the Henry rifle. Manufacturer: New Haven Arms Co. Model: Henry Rifle BBL: 24 inch Stock: varnished walnut Gauge: 44 Henry RF Finish: blue/casehardened Grips: Serial Number: 2043 Class: Antique Condition: Very fine. This rifle is all original and remains in outstanding condition for a Civil War production Henry rifle. The barrel and magazine retain at least 60% of the original blue finish. There is a plum-brown patina on the sides of the magazine and light wear on the edges of the barrel. The protected areas of the barrel and magazine retain significant amounts of bright blue finish. The New Haven Arms Co., legend and serial number are sharp. The folding leaf rear sight is original to the rifle with crisp markings and shows traces of fire blue finish in protected areas. Significant amounts of blue remain on protected areas of the bolt. The hammer, trigger and lever retain at least half of the original muted case colors overall with silvering on contact points and some scattered age spotting. The distinctive brass receiver and buttplate are in very fine-excellent condition with a handsome, untouched, patina. The side plate joints are perfect and there is no indication that the side plates have ever been removed from the rifle. The receiver shows only a few very insignificant handling marks. The upper buttplate screw has rusted in place and there are some rust stains on the adjoining areas of the buttplate heel. The balance of the buttplate remains in the same very fine condition as the receiver. With the exception of the upper buttplate screw all of the tang and buttplate screws are in fine condition with little, if any, screw-driver wear. The straight grain American walnut stock is in very fine-excellent condition and retains nearly 90% of the varnished piano finish. Wear is limited to a few scattered and very minor handling and storage marks. This is an outstanding example of a Civil War production Henry rifle with desirable early features. It would be expensive to improve upon this very exceptional Henry rifle as the next step up from this is easily in the six digit figures!

  • Condition: See Description

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

We will arrange for packing and shipping at our earliest possible convenience. We will attempt to ship as soon as possible, however, due to the huge volume of absentee bidders, delays in shipping of seven days after full payment is received by us is typical. In the case of crating or any exceptional packaging, the buyer will be charged our cost from outside agents. Buyer pays all shipping and insurance charges.

by Rock Island Auction Company
April 14, 2018 9:00 AM CDT
7819 42nd Street West
Rock Island, IL, US 61201

Rock Island Auction Company

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 21.5% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $199 $10
$200 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 + $10,000