Lot 43

New Haven Arms Co. Henry Rifle with Malcolm Telescopic Sight

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New Haven Arms Co. Henry Rifle with Malcolm Telescopic Sight

Estimate: $27,500 - $42,500

Starting Bid: $22,500

(0 Bids)

by Rock Island Auction Company
August 21, 2026 9:00 AM CDT
Live Auction
3600 Harwood Road
Bedford, TX, US 76021

Historic Early Production Civil War Era New Haven Arms Co. Henry Lever Action "Sharpshooter" Rifle with Extremely Scarce Malcolm Telescopic Sight Manufactured in October of 1862, just a year and a half into America's devastating Civil War, this is a historically significant example of the highly desirable New Haven Arms Company Henry lever action rifle, one of the most advanced weapons of the war. The Henry lever action rifle is among the most famous and desirable of all of the historic American lever action rifles as the predecessor to the famous Winchester lever action rifles, one of the most advanced firearms of the American Civil War, as well as a legendary icon of the American Frontier. A limited number of these advanced rifles were purchased by the federal government for use during the Civil War, and many more were also privately purchased by veterans using their reenlistment bonuses. Many of the Henrys that saw Civil War use, as well as many of those that didn't, later made their way farther west, playing a significant role in the taming of America's frontier. More often than not, these rifles saw hard use on the battlefield or the frontier, with many not surviving, and those that did carrying the wear and scars to prove it. An advanced weapon in its own right, this particular Henry exhibits even further cutting edge technology as it is fitted with an extremely scarce telescopic sight that was manufactured by Wm. Malcolm & Co. of Syracuse, New York. Established in 1855, the Malcolm firm was one of the earliest American companies to produce telescopic sights, and by the time of the Civil War their sights were widely regarded as being of the highest quality available on the market. During the course of the war, large numbers of Malcolm sights were fitted on the heavy barreled single shot rifles often employed by sharpshooters, however, finding one fitted on a Henry repeater remains a true rarity on today's collectors market. This late-1862 production Henry has the earlier style frame which shows a steeper angle and smaller edge bevel on the upper rear, a feature that continued until around the 4900 serial number range. The lever is of the second style with a spur that engages the lever latch screw, which entered production in the early 400 serial number range and continued until the end of production. The hammer has the correct coarse, hand-filed checkering. The frame correctly has a rear sight dovetail slot, a feature that continued until around the 3100 serial number range, which is utilized on this rifle as the mounting point for the rear scope base. The magazine tube "T-bar" and follower are period-made replacements, and the frame is correctly not milled with flats. The barrel has the correct, two-line, smaller style Henry's patent and New Haven address marking, which was standard until around the 3000 serial number range. The original rear sight dovetail has been filled just in front of the first style, smaller-digit serial number, which is at the breech. A new rear sight dovetail has been cut, partially obscuring the two-line address, and is fitted with a fixed notch sight. The matching serial number is marked on the barrel, left side of the lower tang, in the stock inlet, and inside the buttplate. The stock and buttplate screws are all correctly numbered and indexed. A dovetail has been cut in the normal position of the front sight blade and is currently fitted with the forward scope base. There are correctly no provisions for sling swivels. It is correctly mounted with the early style buttstock, which continued in production until around the 3200 serial number range and has the abruptly angled comb and "perch belly" bottom, as well as being fitted with the early style trapdoor curved buttplate.

Manufacturer: New Haven Arms Co.

Model: Henry Rifle

BBL: 24 inch octagon

Stock: walnut

Gauge: 44 Henry RF

Finish: blue

Serial Number731

Class: Antique

  • Condition: Good, the barrel/magazine showing an attractively aged dark brown patina with some scattered light dings and the edges remaining fairly sharp. The brass shows an untouched, attractively aged patina with some scattered light dings and the fit of the sideplates remaining almost entirely tight. Traces of original case colors patterns remain on the hammer. The stock is also good with mild wear, a few scattered minor dings, and a few light chips at the toe. Mechanically functions. The Malcolm scope is in good condition and the tube retains most of the original bright blue finish. Faint light can be seen through the optics but they are not functional. This is a historic example of a three-digit serial number Civil War production Henry "sharpshooter" rifle fitted with a telescopic sight and mounts that will greatly enhance any Civil War collection!

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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 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000